I couldn’t afford my bus to work!! How fast fashion made me BROKE #nobuyyear

Let me know how your no buy / low buy journey is going ✨ I hope by sharing my story it may remind you that fashion is just not worth struggling for. And it’s also a reminder to myself ❤

Overconsumption is a real problem 😢

The best advice I can give is: stay away from Social Media and so called Influencers! Both only get you to compare yourself with others and they give you the feeling you need to buy that and have this to be cool and happy… stay away from Temu, Shein and plattforms like that.. All the stuff you shop used to be money and that money used to be precious lifetime you needed to earn it.. when you realize all that, it is easy not to spend your money.. Greetings from Germany!

I used to buy tons of cloths and shoes, was spending every cent I had (and honestly even more) online. Than I had a boy and stopped working, since I had no money of my own anymore, just a joint bank account with my husband I had to stop shopping cold turkey. I thought it would be very hard, but to my surprise it was not. After a short while I felt liberated. I used to love my closet, suddenly it was a burden. I didn‘t want to spend my little free time i had in the evening arranging cloths I never had any occasion to wear anyway and that didnt fit my body nor my new lifestyle anymore. Started selling everything, couldnt believe how much stuff I had, how much of it was brand new and how much money I had wasted!!! It’s 8 years later now, today I enjoy a small wardrobe and could never go back, it just hurts me to know in what stupid way I used to spend all my money

I wish I lived in a part of the world where there weren't such extremes of temperature. +35°C or higher in summer, -25° in winter. The amount of clothes you need for that is insane. Just footwear alone: super warm boots for the city in winter, super warm dressier boots, superwarm tall boots for if you need to shovel snow up to your waist, regular-warm boots, regular warm dressier boots, rain boots of varying heights, warm running shoes, lighter running shoes, high heels, flats, numerous pairs of sandals of varying types for summer, the list goes on. And good quality winter stuff is bloody expensive.

I have never liked shopping. The more I see in store, the faster I get overwhelmed and buy nothing at all. 😅 I saved a lot over the last 15 years (I‘m 37) wearing the same style. However, I love travelling and that‘s where my money usually goes making memories all over the world. ❤️

I wanted to stop shopping for a year or two now, I really got sucked in about five years ago. When I realised I needed to stop, I used to shop on and off anyway, then be annoyed with myself. I watched similar videos to help me, but I still didn’t feel I could stop. Then I realised that I was buying constantly because I was watching clothes all the time and started borrowing books from library instead to help me to pass my resting time in different way. It only recently hit me, that my wardrobe was too full and I can’t fit any more stuff, that’s when I didn’t want to look at clothes any more. It’s been a month, I still looked at clothes from time to time, desired them and left it till later. Mentally I could already do it, then it just didn’t make any sense. I want to give my wardrobe some love now and I will focus on wardrobe clarity and declutterring. For once I felt satisfied with what I’ve got.

This is a lesson in staying away from fast fashion, pick a style and by investment pieces that will last you for decades 👍

Thank you for making this video it’s like the universe knew I needed a kick up the bum. I’ve tried so many times to stop shopping but I fall back in the trap again. I think I set too much of a challenge saying that’s it no more shopping no limits, rules just no more shopping ever!! And when it’s going well I think great I’m sorted and treat myself!!! I’m ashamed to say I’m in my 40’s and still don’t have this sorted 😢 But I find it so inspiring seeing younger woman stand up and say no I’m not living my life like this so it’s time to try again this time it’s for 3 months, I have more than enough so I’m challenging myself to make my clothes work for me, fingers crossed this is the time ❤

I am new to a low buy. I’ve only been going for 4 days, but I am really proud of myself because in the past, it wouldn’t work at all and now I’ve not shopped for 4 days (I attempted a low buy year in 2023 and it just wouldn’t work at all). I still had money for the bus, but I can relate to being super broke because of a shopping addiction.

I've such a similar story to you, changing careers into fashion, working retail in Galway and always wasting my paycheck on clothing. I now know the route cause was due to my friends all being in a differing class to me and trying to match their spending without having the means to. I kept up appearances but I cut all opportunities for important life stuff savings. I found navigating finances so difficult once I hit 18 but I also come from a family who had no financial sense in their lives. Sometimes buying something special like a good deal on a vintage piece gave me a feeling of individuality and independence which is hilarious as it was taking away my independence by spending. Such an important topic and love your honesty on the subject, thank you Gemma!

About buying classic styles I would add that you can buy trends if you’re willing to wear them even when they’re out. I personally love what I love and I don’t care if people think it’s out.

I think your message and guidance are much appreciated by many. I’m now in my 60’s and learned over the years to nurture my specific style than waste money on many senseless pieces. I’m a patient buyer and will wait for end of season sales. I do twice a year wardrobe decluttering as I need space in my wardrobes. Some of my pieces of clothing I’ve had for years now, and i still love wearing them. Our money is precious and earned from hard work, and I would rather have some for later than nothing at all.

Loved this video! My low buy is going so bad... I started of so strong but last month was a total failure. I've completely fallen off the wagon. It's harder than I expected, but that's why creators like you are so inspiring!

I totally relate with everything you have said. Tysm

Thank you for this reminder! ❤

Great and informative video as always. I started my no buy year last year in November and so far it’s going great. Not purchase a single new thing, just few make up replacements that I was running out of it. I decided to try whole year no buy. Also I did huge closet declutter and donate 80% of my clothes. I’m trying to figure out the style I love and it’s practical this year and purchase only new items only if work with my style. Currently I’m stay at home mom and don’t have income and taht helps me no thing about shopping /spending money on things that I don’t need!

Thank you sharing this and your honesty! This video was such a good reminder. Instant gratification can drive bad habits and ultimately ruin your future, I have to remind myself of this from time to time.

you are very brave to share this... i commend you for sharing! ❤

My low buy is going relatively well. I stayed in my budget for summer, bought only second hand (except underwear and a bikini) and now go on a shopping fast again until I need some knitwear for winter. 😊