Try the 'no-buy challenge' (and save money)

Plus: 15-minute mood boosters; parenting in public

View this email online Today’s newsletter is brought to you by digital editor Malaka Gharib Have you heard of the no-buy challenge? It's a popular social media experiment that encourages people to buy less stuff.  The goal is to cut back on overconsumption and be more mindful of wasteful and unsustainable shopping habits.  The rules are simple. For a set time period, you'll stop buying non-essential items. Instead, you'll use what you have and buy secondhand.   Set up your own no-buy challenge Adrián Astorgano for NPR Based on our episode, I was inspired to put together my own version of the challenge.   The first step is to put together your "yes" and "no" list: items you'll stop buying -- and continue buying.  It was a surprising exercise. I thought my shopping weakness would be clothes. But because I work from home, my wardrobe needs are much simpler. My Achilles heel, it turns out, is home decor! After looking through recent credit card transactions, I realized I tended to splurge on fancy candles, throw pillows and house plants. Do I love them? Yes. Do I need them? No!  🚫 Malaka's NO list Home decor Holiday decorations  New books  Fancy lattes  Writing up my "yes" list forced me to think about the purchases I really value. Turns out I care a lot about good food and good people. So I am happy to continue spending on that.  ✅ Malaka's YES list  Dinner with friends  Fresh flowers Gifts for loved ones Quality ingredients for homemade meals  I'd like to try this experiment for about three months -- I've never done a challenge like this before! Hopefully, it will help me save more money for the things that matter.    Yes, I want to buy less stuff Newsletter continues after sponsor message Your book recommendations: Fantasy, sci-fi and thriller Molly Magnell for NPR If you're looking for a good book to read this fall, check out these recommendations from our audience on Instagram. We asked them to tell us about a book they recently read and loved as part of our episode on how to reach your reading goals.  People sent in over 50 book suggestions. In honor of the coming fall weather and spooky season, we're sharing titles in the fantasy, sci-fi and thriller genres.  Parable of the Sower - Octavia Butler (1993) Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir (2021) Red Queen - Victoria Aveyard (2015) The Throne of Glass Series - Sarah J. Maas (2012–2018) I Must Betray You - Ruta Sepetys (2022) City of Secrets - Stewart O’Nan (2016) First Lie Wins - Ashley Elston (2024) The God of the Woods - Donna Levin (2023) Listen Sponsor-Free Support public media while getting expert advice on health, finance, relationships and more with Life Kit+. You'll get sponsor-free listening AND that warm fuzzy feeling that comes with making a difference. You can also check out loads of other NPR+ podcasts with benefits at plus.npr.org. Quote of the week: On friendship and true care Jasjyot Singh Hans for NPR "I realized that my codependency tricked me into thinking that closeness is achieved through performing care. But I learned that true care is mutual."  --Journalist Gina Ryder, in her story: "How I broke free from codependency — and learned the meaning of loving relationships"  📬 Parenting in public: Send us your questions If you are the parent or caregiver of a child, we want to hear your questions about parenting in public. Maybe you’ve faced a delicate situation on the playground, or you feel unsure when you have to discipline your little one around other people. Send a voice note or message to lifekit@npr.org with the subject line "parenting in public" -- and an expert may respond to your question in an upcoming episode.  In case you missed it Becky Harlan/NPR Boost your mood in 15 minutes. Sometimes you're just feeling blah: the weather's bad, you can't get out of bed and you're struggling to shake off that listlessness. In these moments, the solution is often simpler than we think. This episode, NPR's science desk and Life Kit staff present research-backed mood boosters to instantly shake yourself out of a slump and turn your day around. Listen to the episode here.  Smart credit card habits to keep you out of debt. Even if you use a credit card all the time, it can be difficult to understand the ins and outs of how they work. Whether you're a new credit card owner or just want to make sure you're getting the most out of your card, this episode will walk through the fundamentals of the credit card game. Listen to the episode here.  Want to help support your Gen Z kids? Talking really helps. A recent Gallup poll offers parents fresh insights into the emotional landscape of Gen Z youth, just in time for the new school year and all the changes it may bring. Read the story here. Dealing with neighbor drama. Conflicts with neighbors are common. Trash, noise, parking, weeds — there are seemingly endless ways neighbors can get on each other's nerves. But it doesn't have to be that way. A mediator and a dispute resolution expert say that taking calm, measured steps to resolve conflict can lead to greater understanding and even harmony between you and the folks on your block. Listen to the episode here.  Upcoming Life Kit topics 🥪 Lunchbox ideas  ⚠️ Disinformation  🧼 Personal hygiene  Stream your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to find your local station stream. What do you think of today's email? 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