Can we go an entire month without buying anything we don’t truly need? That’s the challenge we set for ourselves with a self-imposed month-long shopping ban. This week we talk about how Cait Flanders’ book The Year of Less inspired us, how we adapted her approach for our life, and what rules we’re using for our experiment. We also share an update on the duplex renovation (finally moving fast!), answer common questions about the demo, and confess that filming our April Fool’s video was even more awkward in person than it looked on camera. Plus, a makeover show has given Sherry unexpected hope that small changes can have big impact.
You can download this episode from Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, and Spotify — or listen to it using the embedded player below. Use this page to find any links, notes, or photos we referenced in the episode. Note: if you’re reading in a feed reader you may need to open the post to see the player.
What’s New
- In case you missed it on Instagram or Facebook, the photograph above shows the duplex in its fully gutted state — walls removed, roof stripped, and the interior reduced to its structural skeleton. It’s a dramatic change from how the house looked when we first saw it, and many readers have asked why we pulled things back so far. We explained the reasoning and the demolition process in detail during the episode.
- Shortly after we recorded, the contractor reframed and covered the roof, which already makes the place feel more like a home again. Walking the property with the sky overhead was surreal, and we’re excited to see progress happen so quickly.
- We’re putting together a post with more progress photos and details, but for now you can find our interior demo tour and the new floor plan in earlier posts if you want a closer look at how we’re reworking the layout.
That’s Embarrassing
- If you missed our April Fool’s post and video earlier this month, we recreated a silly beach-house scenario that led to an awkward run-in with a delivery driver. It was mortifying at the time and, as we guessed, he hasn’t been on our route since. You can see the full story and the clip in that post.
Our “No Shopping” Month
- If you want background on Cait Flanders’ approach and our earlier conversation, check Episode #89 where we first discussed the concept and her book, The Year of Less.
- Below are the specific rules we set for our month-long experiment — clarifying what we consider acceptable purchases and what we’re avoiding.
Things We Are Allowed To Buy
- Food, groceries, and essential kitchen supplies when we run out.
- Toiletries and cleaning products only when needed.
- Gifts for others for planned occasions like birthdays or holidays.
- Home improvement supplies for projects already started or planned in advance.
- Essential items for our children, such as school supplies when required.
Things We Are Not Allowed To Buy
- Books and magazines (we’ll use the library and existing subscriptions).
- Clothing or shoes, unless something breaks and needs replacement.
- Cosmetics and nonessential beauty items.
- Household decor, candles, furniture, and decorative accessories.
- Electronics and new appliances.
- Takeout specialty drinks and impulse snacks from shops like coffee chains.
Caveat: We can use any gift cards we already have if absolutely necessary, though so far we haven’t touched them.
We’re Digging
- I probably should have waited until pollen season slowed and the porch was fully cleaned before digging our outdoor planters, but the project moved ahead anyway. You can see the initial planting in the photos. Note: the three ferns we mentioned were purchased before the ban began, so adding decorative plants isn’t part of our allowed purchases.
- The large planter we used was a Target find from a few years ago and is no longer sold, so Sherry rounded up similar planters currently available. For reference, our planters are about 21″ tall and 18″ square at the top, and we found several comparable options that work for the same look and scale.
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- Also mentioned in the episode: the Netflix reboot of Queer Eye, which moved Sherry deeply. Episode 3, the police officer episode, was especially powerful for her, though she recommends watching the whole season for its heart and perspective.
If you want a quick reference for things we’ve discussed on past episodes, we maintain a master list of topics and projects we’ve “been digging” so you can easily find past show notes and links.
Finally, thanks to West Elm LOCAL Experiences for sponsoring this episode. They’re running a promotion with a chance to win a getaway to Charleston, SC, and they’re highlighting local makers and DIY experiences — something we love supporting.
Thanks for listening, everyone!
*This post contains affiliate links*