What is a No-Buy Year and Why is it Trending on Social Media?
Published on February 3, 2026
•3 min read
Social media trends span across all interests and likes, including finance, budgeting, or salaries.
The latest personal finance trend making the rounds is creating a “No-Buy 2025” list, detailing all the items an individual will avoid purchasing or spend less on, next year. This trend is an effort to create boundaries with spending and money habits.
So, how does it work and where do you start?
The No-Buy Year Motivations
Motivations for participation in a “No-Buy Year” in 2025 vary.
Identifying your motivation is the first step. Specify why you’re making the commitment. Whether you use a bullet point list or organize a spreadsheet, having a visual tracker can help you stay consistent. If you’re just “winging it” on a goal or budget, it’s easy to make exceptions or excuses that can throw you off track.
For some, being mindful of purchases is a way to help free up more cash, build savings, and pay off debts. Others are motivated by concerns of overconsumption and a dissatisfaction with the quality of things they buy like clothing, tech, and other consumer products.
How to Build Your List
Eliminating and cutting back on your consumption could save you plenty of cash, maybe even hundreds or thousands a year.
It starts with taking a hard look at your spending habits. Find where you’re spending the most outside of your necessary living expenses and ask yourself, “what can I do without?”
Some expenses to consider:
- Coffee purchases
- Take-out instead of prepping at home
- Recreational shopping for unnecessary items
- Recreational sports and activities (i.e. skiing, golfing, pickleball, etc.)
- Going out every weekend
- Subscriptions
The list can go on, but it doesn’t mean you have to cut these things out entirely, either.
A “No-Buy” strategy will not be as successful if you completely cut yourself off from the things that make you happy. Instead, eliminate what you won’t miss at all then evaluate how you’re going to set parameters around what you love.
If you golf every weekend, for example, that can be anywhere from $50 to $150 for one round. Figure out how often you golf, what you spend on average, and decide how many outings you can afford — and then, establish goals for the money you’re saving.
How to Stay Disciplined
Budgets and spreadsheets are common, helpful ways to keep you on track for your No-Buy Year.
If you already have a budget for the upcoming year, make sure that the budget and the No-Buy plan align. Look at your leftover cash for each paycheck or month to make sure they make sense.
Remember as you take on this challenge, one decision that deviates away from the list won’t ruin your progress or hold you back from achieving your goals. Think about your long-term goals and make sure you are kind to yourself while also remaining disciplined.
Staying focused is easiest when you have the right bank accounts, direct deposits set up, and your bills on automatic payments.
Metro Checking and a Membership Savings account at Metro are a great combo to help you stay consistent with your No-Buy 2025. With our unique checking account, you don’t have to worry about any minimum balance fees, eligible for unlimited ATM fee refunds, and enjoy a bonus rate on your Membership Savings account when you maintain a balance up to $3,000.
Let’s kick off your No-Buy 2025 with a Metro membership!
