Separating you from your money
- Sharon Collins
- Jan 20
- 5 min read
In 2025, I'm starting the year with a low spend challenge. Why you ask? My goal is low spending, almost no spending, for several reasons but most importantly, I am recognizing all of the consumer influences that are working to seperate me from my money.
Why low spend, instead of no spend? Like any diet, if it's too restrictive, my brain goes into panic mode, leading to bad decisions. Low spend reminds me I don't need to be perfect, but I should focus on reducing my expenses. This has become more crucial in my view. Watching the news or browsing TikTok and YouTube reveals endless haul and must-buy videos. People are accumulating large amounts of unnecessary and often low-value items.
Christmas has just passed, and stores are already preparing for the next cycle of shopping events. Super Bowl, Valentine's Day, March Madness, Easter—all are competing for your attention, urging you to spend your hard-earned money. In the US, every holiday seems to demand themed towels, decor, colors, and cooking tools. What's more frustrating is the idea that items from previous years can't be reused; you have to buy the latest theme, color, and concept. Items we buy now are only relevant for the short 2-3 month period they're displayed for. It's a relentless consumer cycle that many struggle to break free from. While we're facing record inflation that most in this generation haven't experienced, US spending is still expected to grow by 2.7% in 2025 according to Oxford Economics. The US Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects that in 2025, Americans will spend about $5.2 trillion on personal consumption expenditures (PCE), up from $5.1 trillion in 2024. American consumerism is rising, with all these influences trying to part you from your money.
For many years, I was an avid consumer. In 2015, I suffered a significant leg injury that left me unable to move. During that period, I discovered the book "The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up" by Marie Kondo and quickly became a follower of the KonMari Method. I spent most of those nine weeks decluttering my extensive collections of clothing, DVDs, books, jewelry, and more. If you can name it, I had it in multiple versions.
Over the years, I've managed to maintain a more minimalist lifestyle. I've pared down my clothing and shoes to only those items I love and feel good wearing. I mostly embrace neutrals and own just a few pieces that are easy to mix and match.
I also consistently curate my home by acquiring only items that I love and that enhance my appreciation of my space, while removing those that no longer serve a purpose or bring joy. I remind myself that I already have more than enough. I also engage with content that aligns with my lifestyle and goals. One of my favorite podcasts is The Minimalist.
However, despite this mindset shift, I sometimes succumb to consumeristic behaviors. This is where my low spend challenge comes in. I am striving to further reduce the influence of consumerism in my life. I am redefining my relationship with shopping.
I recently heard a statement that says, "Shopping is a way to fill the void of loneliness." That makes me sad that shopping I recognize this is not the case for all shopping scenarios, especially for those who have learned to monetize shopping for a living. However, for the majority, shopping can be a quick dopamine fix. It's a way to avoid addressing other areas of our lives where we don't feel accomplished, happy, or complete. I don't know about you, but I am no longer interested in quick fixes and meaningless change. I want to achieve my goals and become the best version of myself. I don't need the rush of buying countless reusable water bottles to accomplish this.
If you are like me and are looking to reduce the influence of shopping, save some money and focus your attention on what is most important in your life, I hope you will join me in this years low spend challenge. Before you begin, here are some tips I've used to resist the numerous influences attempting to part me from my money, which you can also employ to help reset your consumption and safeguard yourself against unnecessary spending.
Not going into stores: I can't buy what I don't see. Shiny and new always attracts the desire to buy. By staying out of stores I'm unaware of the newest, supposedly better version of something I already own. I also apply this to second hand stores like Goodwill. It can be really tempting to buy at the Goodwill and other second hand stores, those rock bottom prices can feel like you'll never see that item or price again. However, trust the process. There will always be another deal and another item available for sale even at the Goodwill.
Adopting an abundance mindset over scarcity: This is a big one. Often times we tell ourselves if I don't get it, there will not be one when I want or need it. That is further from the truth. Just browsing second hand stores, Ebay, Poshmark and other sites shows the abundance of available merchandise. Trust me when I say there will always be more.
Turn the TV off: This goes in with not going into stores. TV or any online streaming has the ability to influence us to consume. Whether it is tempting us with that delicious looking burger or that skincare product that promises to fix all that isn't right. TV, Cable and other streaming services have the ability to consistenly push products directly to us. Sometimes the messaging is so subtle we odn't even recognize the influence until we've made a purchase.
Unsubscribe: I strongly suggest unsubscribing to emails, updates and coupons from
all of your favorite stores. It amazes me how many times I am reminded of a sale or a coupon that is expiring. Retailers are working hard to separate you from your money. Sometimes its in the form of making you feel you will miss out (FOMO anyone) if you don't buy something now. You may also want to unsubscribe to your favorite influencers too for the same reasons.
In 2025 I won't purchase any new makeup or skincare, unless its replacing something that I've used in its entirety #panproject. I won't buy any new clothes or shoes for myself. I will make exception for my kids or if I have such extreme weight loss, my clothes don't fit.;) I will not buy any cleaning supplies. I have more than enought and I am focused on cleaner and environmentally friendly options. I also will not purchase any books. My plan is to utilize my library as well as borrow from friends and family. I also have several books gifted or purchased in previous years I still need to finish. I will focus on reading those. As the year progresses I will check in and update you on my status. The goal is not perfection and to give myself grace for minor setbacks.
If you like this challenge and this kind of content, think about subscribing for regular updates. I'm also working on my YouTube channel and Instagram page. Keep an eye out for these new ways to connect in the future.
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