I’m on a vinyl/music stuff no buy until further notice. Gasp! A classic rock blog without vinyl? How can you do it? Don’t get me wrong, I love vinyl, but I’m in a place in my life where I need to prioritise and control my spending. In this post, I’ll talk about FOMO, the fear of missing out, when it comes to vinyl releases, especially because Record Store Day is around the corner.

My new year’s resolution is to save money. To take a look at what I was spending money on before and re-evaluate my priorities. I’ve talked about this on my Patreon “Backstage Pass” life blog thing, and I think it’s time to share it on my blog.

I want it all!

I used to have this fantasy of having it all or at least looking like I did. Travelling, going to concerts, having nice new clothes, my face and my hair looking its best. I was trying to keep up with the Joneses on social media. I was constantly comparing myself to everyone else. “So and so bought a new thing? Better buy something else so no one thinks I’m a loser!”

My priorities now are different. I want to travel – that is my top priority. My husband hasn’t seen a lot of Europe and we want to see more of it. When we travel, I don’t want to have to say no to fun experiences and only see free stuff. I want to have a trip that is fun and where I learn something. If I spend money stupidly, we won’t have money to travel and have fun. So what can I cut back on?

My No/Low Buy

I took a look at my closet. The bar that the hangers go on is sinking. I have a lot of stuff. Maybe too much. I think it’s time to sell a few things or somehow get rid of a few things that I no longer wear. So I started to list stuff for sale. I want to shop more consciously for my clothes. I don’t want to settle.

I want to only buy things that “spark joy” à la Marie Kondo. Yup, I watched that Tidying Up show. However, for me it’s not about being minimalist. It’s about being happy with what I have. I want to have a collection that I am happy with and wouldn’t want to have any other way. For now, it’s a clothing low buy for me. I want to appreciate what I have. Realistically, because of my love of fashion I can’t stop buying clothes, but I want to try to stick to a “one in one out” rule. If I’m buying something, something has to go.

I took a look at makeup and decided that’s something I’m not going to buy anything of, unless I need to replace something. If I run out of eyeliner or mascara, I’m going to buy one replacement. I learnt that it takes a long time to get through things. Even my ABH Modern Renaissance, which has so little product in the pans and is so softly pressed.

I don’t wear makeup every day, maybe a few times a week at most. Why do I want so much stuff? I don’t need it.

Stuff is overpriced in Ireland anyway. It can wait until my trip to New York at the end of the year. I want to save money for that. I can wait. Maybe the hype for the item I want will die down and I’m no longer interested. If it goes out of stock, it wasn’t meant to be and I can find something else. There’s new products coming out all the time so it’s best to wait, compare, and make a smart and informed purchase.

FOMO and Vinyl

Then there’s the FOMO, the fear of missing out. Am I missing out on new releases in makeup? And that’s what this post is all about, except with another thing.

This makeup no buy is leading me to another no buy and that is vinyl and most music related stuff (that isn’t my Spotify subscription or tickets to see the occasional music related movie, definitely gonna review Rocketman). Why a vinyl/music stuff no buy? I love music and my blog is centred around this, does this make any sense?

Why I stopped buying records

I’ve moved around a lot and I should have learnt this by now. It’s a hassle moving around all this stuff. Vinyl is heavy and unwieldy. It’s a pleasure to look at and I love my little collection, but it’s all at my parents’ house. Maybe one day when my husband and I are settled down I can buy vinyl again. In the next part of my husband’s career, it could potentially involve lots of moving, even overseas. Vinyl will have to go somewhere and I don’t want to burden my family or my husband’s family with more stuff.

FOMO Intensifies

But then I see all the news about “Record Store Day” and all these releases. There are a couple releases every year that tempt me, but I don’t need them and I’m not going to buy them. Then there’s the FOMO aspect. I follow a lot of people who collect vinyl and that’s awesome! I’m not going to unfollow anyone, as I like everyone I follow.

Whenever I see news about Record Store Day or a post where someone’s showing off their vinyl haul, I fear that I’m missing out and people will see me as uncool. I take pride in not experiencing FOMO often, but I’m human and I experience it sometimes, especially when it comes to shopping for stuff related to my hobbies.

A part of me feels like I’m missing out on these releases or finding these albums. I’ve been skipping record stores for the most part when I travel or when I walk into one, the prices are high enough to make me say no. There are so many things to do when I travel. Walking outside and taking pictures is free. Also, pictures don’t take up space in my bag like records or clothes do. Experiences are good. You can’t take away my memories. Holidays are all about memories!

I can review new music without a physical copy. I don’t have a turntable so what’s the point of buying that record? Colourful vinyl looks cool for the ‘gram, but there will be more cool releases later. What’s most important is reaching my travel and savings goals. Finances and budgeting are an important part of of self care. I have some big ticket purchases I want to save up for. I want to keep my eye on the prize. This is just me, but I prefer experiences to stuff.

If you’re on a No Buy, here are some reminders and affirmations:

Just switch out records for whatever thing you’re on a no buy for (makeup, clothing, dining out, video games, blu rays, etc.):

1. You don’t need that vinyl release. It is not the end of the world if you don’t have it.
2. Record labels and stores aren’t your friends. Their goal is to sell music.
3. Special/limited editions are gimmicks and the scarcity/rarity is manufactured. Sometimes they aren’t even that special and are restocked (definitely the case with makeup).
4. You might get that initial rush of dopamine when you buy something, but that fades. Material goods don’t make you happier.
5. Digital music is eco friendly and doesn’t take up space. Save the planet!
6. Your favourite musicians would want you to care for yourself, and caring for yourself includes your finances.
7. You can buy that record later, when you’re in a better place financially or mentally.
8. Records are only worth what people are willing to pay. It’s not necessarily an investment.
9. Experiences are a good way to spend money without clutter. They don’t take up space and they’re something you will remember and talk about way way after the event. Live life to the fullest!
10. You’re not less of a fan because you don’t have that record or band merch.

General advice: Have a goal in mind with your no buy: could be saving up for a big ticket purchase or a goal for your savings account balance or paying off debt. Mine is more travel and adventures. I’m keeping my eye on that prize.

Shout out to my good friend and Topaz level Patron, Patrick.