It’s almost Christmas time! I’ve slowly started planning the new year, and one of the things I’ve been working on is my financial wellness. Let me be honest: I rarely set any specific financial goals – weekly, monthly, or yearly. I just feel that I’m not good at this. Things change, though. I’m in my early 30s, building a career and a personal brand, and seriously considering co-creating a future with my partner. The priorities are just different, and that has made me realize that I need to manage my finances better. There’s always room for improvement when it comes to saving, investing, and impulse buying.
On this post, I’m focusing on the last one: impulse buying and things I’m just not wasting money on in 2026. You’ve probably been a victim of impulse buying too at some point in your life since online shopping has made it easier than ever – and, in some cases, it can be a serious problem.
Oof.
So, I spent the first months of 2025 in a toxic job that worsened my anxiety. That led me to buy way too many things I didn’t need just to feel better and distract myself from what I was going through. For complete transparency, I barely saved any money from that job.
This year, I don’t want to use shopping as distraction or entertainment. I want to save money and stop buying things that I don’t really need because I already own plenty of.
Tl;dr: Overconsumption is NOT going to be my final boss in 2026.
In this post, I’m sharing the 12 things I refuse to buy in 2026.
1. Scented candles
I love scented candles, and that’s why I own too many. Yes, some of them don’t really smell (I was fooled!) but I’m still going to burn them. This year, I’m not buying any scented candles, including tea lights. I don’t need any new pumpkin spice, mistletoe, vanilla, or blueberry candles. I’ll admire them from afar, but I’ll have to survive on what I already have. I think I’ll feel good once I’ve burned most of them, because things do feel cluttered right now.
2. Coloring books
I have like five unfinished coloring books – I don’t need new ones. I don’t even color that much. Don’t get me wrong; I love the idea of coloring, I enjoy it and I find it a very relaxing activity, but I don’t really do it that often. So, I’m making very slow progress, and that’s okay – as long as I don’t buy any new coloring books. Of course, back in November I couldn’t resist and I bought the Pumpkin Spice Café Coloring Book. It’s amazing, but I haven’t even started it yet. So, yeah. No new coloring books for me in 2026.
3. Planners, notebooks, and bullet journals
I seriously don’t need any new notebooks of any kind. I own like 3 guided journals (thanks, Flying Tiger, for your cute products) that I haven’t even started yet since I’m still working through my Five Minute Journal. I also have two bullet journals, and too many half-finished notebooks hanging around from my teaching days. To be honest, I wasn’t even planning to buy an agenda this year, but my partner got me an amazing custom one for my birthday. I’m definitely using this one in 2026!
4. Highlighters
Again – I blame my teaching days for the most part. I have too many highlighters – neon, pastel, metallic – in every possible color. I don’t need any new ones, and I don’t even have space for more. So, I’m using the ones I have and I’m not buying more in the new year.
5. Body mists
You know when you smell a body mist, and you go like ‘’Oh, that’s the best scent ever! I need to have it!”? Well, that has happened to me… a few times. I probably own so many body mists that could last me for the next 3 or 4 years. And I’m talking both regular and glitter ones here. For now, I’m sticking with Love Potion by Victoria’s Secret -it’s so fruity and I adore it-, and I really shouldn’t buy any new ones in 2026.
6. Fall décor
Your girl went big with the fall decorations this year. I have no regrets because I really didn’t enjoy fall 2024 and needed to romanticize this one. Now, though, I have everything I need: blankets, pillows, candles, artificial leaves and flowers – I really won’t need anything more next fall. So, I’m going to stick with the decorations I already have, and I won’t buy anything new despite the ads and… temptations I’ll certainly get.
7. PJs
These days, I spend too much time at home and I love me some cute homewear. The truth is, though, that I don’t need any new pjs. The last time I bought a pair of elegant black pajamas was on Black Friday – so not very long ago. I am covered for both cold and warm months, so I should resist and stop buying any kind of loungewear.
8. Eyeshadow palettes
I love makeup and I put some on almost every day, so I own quite a few eyeshadow palettes. Mind you, I don’t even apply eyeshadow that often but when I want to elevate my look, it’s certainly one of my choices. I recently bought a cute palette by Wet n Wild (Alice in Wonderland collection), and I realized that I have enough eyeshadow palettes for both morning and night looks.
9. Tea
This is a little like coloring. I like the idea of drinking tea, but somehow, I rarely truly drink it – and it’s mostly when I’m sick. So, I already have too much tea that I haven’t even tried at all yet. The last time I bought some was in summer when I traveled to Sweden, so I feel like I’m already doing well with not buying any new one. I’ll stick with the tea I have for 2026, and hopefully I’ll end up drinking some of it.
10. Water bottles
I use water bottles consistently since that’s the only way I drink a decent amount of water on a daily basis. I have a glass one that I use at home, and a couple more hanging around that I use when I go walking or when I was working out of home. I almost bought a Christmas themed one this December, but thankfully I stopped myself before doing it. So, water bottles are in my no-buy list for 2026.
11. Bullet journaling supplies
Bullet journaling is a hobby I do semi-frequently and it’s a very relaxing activity to me. It also helps me keep track of certain habits and goals and maintain my memories. As much as I like shopping bullet journaling supplies, that’s something I won’t do this year because I already have everything I need. Stickers, stamps, pens, washi tapes, and even scrapbooking supplies. I’m all set!
12. Lipsticks
The last thing I’m not buying in 2026 is lipstick! I have more than ten, but I always end up wearing the usual two or three lipsticks – my favorite ones. So, I should stop myself from buying any new ones – especially because I keep buying 50 different shades of the exact same color.
I hope you enjoyed this blog post, and it’ll inspire you to set your own financial goals and possibly your no-buy list for the new year!
What are your financial goals for 2026? How are you going to work on your financial wellness? Feel free to let me know in the comments!
Until next time! ❤️💋