This featured essay is based on an interview with Stephanie Noble. Edited for length and clarity.
For over a year, I was slowly realizing that I needed to change the way I spend money, but I was not doing anything about it.
I kept seeing new makeup products being tested on platforms like TikTok and hearing messages that told me, “You need this. It will change your life.”
The culture of influencers and chasing dopamine hits contributed to my spending habits spiraling out of control. I don’t think you have to be an alcoholic to fall into unhealthy spending habits. But I myself am in recovery for drug and alcohol abuse, and I think another factor that drives my selling personality is the easy tracking of addiction. Since June, I have been on a budget trip that not only saved me money but also gave me time to return.
I felt overwhelmed by the many things I had and knew I needed a change
This June, I was cleaning out my office, and it was amazing to see not only how much stuff I have but also how many new products I have – tag.
Something clicked in me, and I knew I had to make a change. I had to let my inner voice be louder than any taglines I heard and focus on the fact that my worth has nothing to do with whether I own products where to make up or how much I can spend, regardless of what accounts I’m being sold. .
I haven’t shopped since June 20th. My budget-free journey includes makeup, skin care, hair care, clothes, shoes, purses and jewelry. I don’t buy new products until I’ve used up what I have. For example, there is a sunscreen that I really like, and I ran out of it recently. But I already had a sunscreen in my collection that I could use, so I did that instead of replacing the one I ran out of. Even though I don’t like the one I’m currently trying, I’ll still use it until it runs out. Now, when I’m desperate and shopping for a new sunscreen, I’ll pick a brand I know I like. That’s my mind system, so to speak.
Since June, I bought a $7 body lotion on Amazon because mine was completely gone – I was wiping the product away. Later I found a body lotion in my closet and I was like, “Oh crap, I already have that,” but other than the accidental purchase, I haven’t found the slip- oops, and I haven’t run out of that many products yet. .
I also stopped spending so much money on food
My frugal journey has also made me pay attention to my food habits. My husband and I are vegan, so it’s not really easy to eat out. We order online every week and eat out maybe twice a month. Luckily my husband is a great cook, so he makes us dinner every night.
We have prioritized eating at home since the pandemic began, so our eating habits are not new. But I removed DoorDash from my phone. I realized that ordering one sushi roll would cost $35 including shipping and tip, and I had to ask myself, “What am I doing?”
It’s not always easy, but I’ve learned to get my dopamine from other places
But watching the latest fall fashion and clothing trends has been difficult. I had to look in my closet for my sweaters and pull out my fall decor. I noticed that not only are my items still very good, but the styles haven’t changed much since last year. It’s the same pattern, colors, and vibe.
I used to get a dopamine hit from shopping, but now I get a dopamine hit from walking, listening to new music, being out in nature, sharing memes with my husband, and doing something any and my dogs. I just don’t let those moments of happiness get to me. I intentionally sit with them, wire them into my brain, and make a list of those moments of gratitude. Rewriting content has been a useful tool I’ve used over the years when looking to make changes.
Saving money was nice, but getting time back was better
After paying the bills, the way I shopped, I usually didn’t have a lot of money to spare. I’m starting to realize what I’ve left out since I stopped shopping and moved it to a different account, and I’ve saved over $5,000 this time. I plan to put money into a savings account for many products, but other than that, I haven’t decided what I want to do with the extra money. My husband has a lot of money, and I want to talk to him more about it. But what I do know is that I want to spend money on experiences.
While saving money has been great, the biggest benefit of my no-money-down journey has been taking back time. I’ve been going to bed earlier, waking up earlier, writing every morning, taking long walks, and being present in general.
Time can’t be bought, and I’m very willing to use mine.