In a Facebook group I’m in, someone asked for tips on how to curb spending, and another person responded with a list of their “buying rules”—things that they will or will not buy as well as purchase limitations they set for themselves. I thought it was absolutely brilliant and decided I’d write my own buying rules and document them for accountability (and so I don’t forget them!).

In 2020, I had planned on doing a “life reset” of sorts and made a list of things I wanted to do during the year to get my life in order (spoiler alert: that did not turn out well given the events that transpired, lol). One of those things was to use up products before buying new ones. I am notoriously bad at forgetting what I already own (because my house is not organized) and buying things over again, including cleaning supplies and skincare products.

Buying Rules: Ideas for Curbing Spending by PhD scientist and style blogger Kimi of Cotton Cashmere Cat Hair

How to Set Buying Rules

Evaluate at least a few months to a year of spending to determine what you spend the most money on and if you don’t LIKE that you spent too much money on it. For instance, are you upset with yourself that you spent too much on eating out? A buying rule could be only eating out once a week, once a month, or setting a spending limit on eating out. If you spend too much money at Target, figure out what you’re buying at Target the most that you don’t need (home decor, clothes, household goods, beauty products, etc.) and set a buying rule on those items.

For me, I also considered my “problem areas” based simply on what is disorganized and overflowing in my house, and a big one is beauty products. Other things you might be struggling with containing could be: clothes, accessories, shoes, blankets, throw pillows, candles, books, cleaning products, kitchen utensils, etc. Use these “problem areas” to build your buying rules.

Okay, now that you know how to set your own buying rules, here are some of mine! I may add on to these as I think of more.

My Buying Rules

No new skincare products until I use up what I have
This has been a buying rule of mine since 2020! Even with this rule in place, I still managed to hit Sephora VIB for 2021 (and 2022) from buying things once they ran out. One thing I still need to do is better organize my products so I know how many of each type of product I have. I might even go so far as to create a Google spreadsheet. Exception: If I receive gifted product from a brand or as part of a collaboration.
No new candles until I use up what I have
I have an entire shelf in a cabinet dedicated to candles. I’ve actually been really good about using them up (I find great pleasure in burning candles until they’re out) but I know I don’t need any more for a while. Exception: If I have a gift card to use. I currently have one gift card to Bath and Body Works that I plan to use to stock up on fall scents since I burn those the most.
Reduce the number of book purchases
Okay, I’m not totally in love with this rule but I think “no new books for the rest of the year” is not realistic, so here we are. I have a really hard time not buying books when they are on deep discount, which happens frequently with Kindle books. I’m buying more than I’m reading at this point, so I need to slow down and maybe pick out 1-2 per month to buy (as long as I’m reading 1-2 books that same month to even out the purchases). I might reevaluate this rule later if I’m still buying too much, but so far this month I don’t think I’ve purchased any books! Exceptions: The free books via Amazon First Reads, books I purchase with a gift card, books I receive as gifts, etc.
No new fan merchandise
This is a funny one, but I have a PROBLEM. When my favorite artists release new music, usually new merchandise comes along with it, and I keep buying it. I don’t need any more merch. I do not have a good home for all of the merch I currently have but can’t bring myself to get rid of. I’m talking like enough sweatshirts to wear a new one every day for a week or two, lol (I haven’t counted and I’m scared to). I have too much. I’m letting myself buy the music (especially if it’s signed!) but NOT the merch.
Use the credit card that will result in the most rewards
Something I’ve been meaning to do for a while is write down which credit cards to use for which expenses. For example, I don’t know which card will give me the most rewards for buying gas or groceries or dining out. I need to create some sort of system in Google Sheets (or even with sticky notes?!) so I can better maximize my credit cards and earn as many points as possible. I’ve got lots of travel coming up next year, and it would be so nice to use points for those trips! Do you have any tips for this? I’d love to hear them!!!