Elysia Berman on her “no-buy” year

January 03, 2025 00:31:39
Elysia Berman on her “no-buy” year
51 Percent
Elysia Berman on her “no-buy” year

Jan 03 2025 | 00:31:39

/

Show Notes

A lot of Americans’ resolutions for the new year revolve around money, but could you hold off shopping for a full year? On this week’s 51%, we explore the concept of a “no-buy year” with Elysia Berman, a Brooklyn-based content creator tracking her journey away from excessive shopping toward financial savings. By challenging herself not to buy items she doesn’t need, like clothing and beauty supplies, Berman says she paid off more than $33,000 in debt in 2024 and confronted a shopping addiction that had been weighing her down for more than a decade. Berman shares her personal “no-buy” tips with us and reflects on how social media especially pushes women to shop.

Guests: Elysia Berman, digital creator; Dr. Shai Butler, Better. Not Perfect: From Hot Mess To Life Success

51% is a national production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio in Albany, New York. Jesse King is our producer and host. Our associate producer is Madeleine Reynolds, and our theme is "Lolita" by the Albany-based artist Girl Blue. 

Other Episodes

Episode

December 12, 2025 00:29:54
Episode Cover

Brianne Brinker on 'Skating Out of the Vault'

On this week's 51%, we hear from author Brianne Brinker, assistant athletic director at Union College, about her experience coming out and transitioning as...

Listen

Episode

October 10, 2025 00:29:16
Episode Cover

Barbara Benish on "ArtMill" and creativity under censorship

On this week’s 51%, we speak with artist Barbara Benish about how she started the ArtMill Center for Regenerative Arts in the Czech Republic,...

Listen

Episode

September 18, 2020 00:27:29
Episode Cover

#1626: The Dance Of American Diplomacy | 51%

On this week’s 51%, author Victoria Phillips discusses her book Martha Graham’s Cold War: The Dance of American Diplomacy. In the book Martha Graham’s...

Listen