10 Fun Things to Do Instead of Shopping | No Buy November with BBA

Does anyone else open a shopping app “just to look” and suddenly find themselves comparing shipping fees on six blind boxes? 🙋♀️ Welcome to the club. At Blind Box Anonymous (BBA), we love our little beans, but we're practicing something new this November: enjoying our hobby without buying something every time the urge hits.

No Buy November isn't about feeling guilty or giving up collecting forever. It's about noticing our habits, making room for other joys, and cheering each other on. Here are some genuinely fun things to try when the cart starts calling.

1. Shop your own collection

Pull out figures you haven't displayed in a while. Restyle a shelf, rotate your favorites, dress up your BJDs, or create a tiny themed scene. Sometimes the “new” feeling is hiding in a box you already own.

2. Host a mini photo shoot 📸

Give your Nommi, Crybaby, Piupu, or favorite bean a photoshoot. Try window light, a handmade backdrop, or an outfit-of-the-day series. Share the results with BBA instead of browsing new releases.

3. Make a wishlist, not a checkout

Save the item to a wishlist with its price and today's date. Wait 48 hours or longer before deciding whether you actually want it. A wishlist lets you admire something without needing to own it right now.

4. Try the 10-minute urge reset

When you feel tempted, put your phone down, drink water, stretch, step outside, or tidy one little corner. Set a 10-minute timer. When it rings, ask yourself: am I bored, stressed, excited, or truly looking for something I need? You can repeat the reset as often as you like.

5. Turn scrolling into creating 🎨

Make a digital collage, draw your dream display, design a phone wallpaper, journal, crochet, decorate a planner, or create a playlist. If crafting requires supplies, start with what you already have. We're not turning “no buy” into “buy a new hobby.” 😂

6. Unsubscribe from temptation

Mute restock alerts, turn off shopping notifications, remove saved payment methods, and take a break from live sales that trigger impulse buys. Curating your feed is a form of self-care, not missing out.

7. Find free little adventures

Take a walk, visit the library, have a picnic, explore a park, watch a movie you already have access to, or call a friend. Give yourself a small adventure that doesn't end at checkout.

8. Organize, trade stories, and appreciate what you own

Clean your display, catalog your collection, write down the story behind a favorite pull, or share your top five figures with the group. If swapping is part of your community, keep it optional and watch for shipping costs. The goal is connection, not another expense.

9. Give your savings a purpose 💗

Each time you skip an impulse purchase, jot down the amount you might have spent. Don't count it as money saved unless it was actually in your budget. You can put real leftover funds toward bills, an emergency cushion, or a future planned treat.

10. Check in with your No Buy Buddy

Our BBA No Buy November challenge is about progress, not perfection. Check in, reflect on what triggered the urge, and celebrate the days you chose differently. A purchase doesn't mean you can't start fresh. Gifts and purchases for kids are exceptions under our community challenge rules.

Join the conversation: Visit our Blind Box Anonymous community page to find the No Buy Buddy challenge and connect with collectors who understand the struggle of “just one more box.”

One last reminder 💕

You don't have to replace shopping with productivity. Resting, laughing with friends, or doing absolutely nothing are valid options too. We're learning to love the collection we have while making choices that feel better for our wallets.

Your turn: What's your favorite free distraction when you're tempted to buy another blind box? Share your ideas with the BBA crew. We might just discover our next group side quest! 🎀