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AIBU?

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Original poster

To give this a go? Buying nothing new for one whole year.

104 replies

HurtSoul · 30/12/2018 20:27

I want to give this a go!
Has anyone managed his before?
Looks like charity shops and eBay have everything you need?

I want to do it just to set myself a challenge, to save some money & because I feel sickened at the waste of all the shit I buy brand new!

metro.co.uk/2018/12/30/mum-goes-two-whole-years-without-buying-anything-new-children-8293035/?ito=social

OP posts:
sheldonstwin · 30/12/2018 20:30

I think it's a brilliant thing to do! I honestly don't think I could manage to do it but I wish you every success - do let us know how you get on.

Houseonahill · 30/12/2018 20:31

Child aside I have done this, DD is 22 months and I bought myself a new coat earlier this month but that is the first new thing I've bought myself since pregnant. I have looked for things on charity shops for DD but tbh there is 2 near me and every time I've been in they have about 5 items of clothing for children and nothing that would fit DD so she gets new clothes (Not bought myself anything clothes wise from them either)

Not a click link though so sorry if that's not what you mean.

Birdsgottafly · 30/12/2018 20:34

I would struggle to dress myself and probably wouldn't save anything, if it included clothes, tbh.

I buy a lot second hand. But I wouldn't buy a second hand fridge/freezer etc for safety reasons, unless I was skint.

Stop buying shit. I follow the Marie Kondo method and it makes you really question your spending.

DRE56322 · 30/12/2018 20:34

Maybe I should try this. Obviously some things you may have no choice (for example I'm not buying second hand knickers if I need more!). But otherwise it seems like a good challenge.

TheBigBangRocks · 30/12/2018 20:38

I could easily cut down but couldn't buy everything used. I find eBay more expensive than buying new for many things by the time postage is added. I don't like second hand clothes though so would really struggle if I needed something.

User758172 · 30/12/2018 20:42

I could do this for myself, and for some household items, but but would find it very difficult with 3DC always growing out of clothes. And I would never buy second hand shoes. Some things are best bought new - washing machines and fridges. I’ve been burned before!

Marshmallow91 · 30/12/2018 20:44

I've been doing this for the past 3 years without even realising that's what I've been doing

Jacksback · 30/12/2018 20:45

Watching with interest

DaysOfCurlySpencer · 30/12/2018 20:45

Baby stuff on Freecycle or Freegle?

In fact there are so many things on ours it is really working for people. I have had several people travel from other areas to collect basic stuff that they couldn't afford to buy new and was so pleased it was going somewhere it would be used rather than the skip at the back of the charity shop.

Chickychoccyegg · 30/12/2018 20:47

I wouldn't want to do this, I only buy something for myself very very rarely, so buying new in a nice shop is a complete treat, kids get mainly supermarket clothes, but we all get decent (new) shoes,
I do buy toys and books from charity shops, but household stuff I shop around for a good deal
good luck, sounds like a good challenge

RachelRosie · 30/12/2018 20:47

Great idea.

I made it my resolution this year to buy as little new as possible and to reduce our waste. We made some really good progress that I hope to build on in 2019.

Charity shops are brilliant for kids clothes and I am starting to find bits for myself as well. The facebook selling pages are also really good for kids toys. My DD main Christmas present came from there.

There are a few schemes in my local area that sell refurbished electrical goods that have been recycled and repaired. I have got a few good bits there too. All these littel changes add up.

notdancingbutplodding · 30/12/2018 20:48

I did it for myself with clothes in 2017. It was fine, I didn’t even do charity shops but I do have a lot of clothes already. I used the money I had saved for a holiday and I was proud of myself.

Justmuddlingalong · 30/12/2018 20:48

I have enough of everything to see me out. 😳 I planned on doing this in 2018 and failed miserably by the 3rd of January if I'm totally honest. So this year I'm definitely in.

BanginChoons · 30/12/2018 20:49

Most of the stuff in my house is second hand. But I wouldn't limit myself completely. If I'm buying someone else a gift, for example, I like to buy new.

Rowdythree · 30/12/2018 20:51

Ive done it this year! I found it quite liberating really, I've had no reason to go into any high street shops, not been lured in by sales etc

The only thing I have struggled with is jeans, my old ones wore out by the middle of the year and I had no luck buying any on ebay. I managed to get a couple of pairs in the charity shop but they're not quite right iykwim.

I will be buying some new jeans in January but I can see myself sticking to not buying new long term. I've saved a fortune too!

Good luck, it is possible

Original poster
HurtSoul · 30/12/2018 20:53

Well there's a thing near me called nearly new sales by NCT (I think I have that correct) about every 3 months and they have everything child repeated you can imagine!

I'm no eco warrior but it has been in my mind more lately....using cars as an example.
Someone said the other day they wouldn't waste money as soon as you drive off the forecourt it decreases in value (in theory obviously not literally) but I began to think how that applies to so much more!

I usually shop at next for my dc...
I looked up a denim dress and tights set...was nigh on twenty quid.
More than I can afford to be spending rjgjr now.
Went in eBay typed in 'next dress tights age 3' and up came a next denim.dress with tights described as very good condition like new.... I bidded and won it for 2 pound something. It came and it looks brand new!

So anyway not to bore anyone but it started the ball rolling for me and my challenge!
I want to buy pre loved/second hand for one whole year.
Except underwear of course.

Wish me luck!

I am into marie kondo too at the moment.
Also very interesting tv show on Netflix if anyone wants to watch it's called 'consumed' and it's shocking to see how our lives are taken over Moby clothes and plastic crap.

I want to go back to basics.

Look after the few things I own and make them last.
Make do and mend mentality.

OP posts:
Original poster
HurtSoul · 30/12/2018 20:55

Sorry for typos I currently have an eye patch on for an eye injury

OP posts:
QwertyLou · 30/12/2018 21:18

One of my sisters did this and loved it.. just stock up on underwear and hair ties (if you need them) before you start Smile

Notquiteagandt · 30/12/2018 21:43

I have being trying to be more concious of what I buy. I was debating doing this for my new years resolution.

Currently 33wks pregnant. Other than 2x maternity leggings. A dress and pair of jeans. I havent bought any clothes for myself since being pregnant. They where all used as well from ebay.

So it has really made me think about how little I actually need.

So for 2019 I am planning to do this for myself. Baby aside. Anything she needs wont count. But will try to buy used where I can.

Notquiteagandt · 30/12/2018 21:45

@HurtSoul and any ither Marie Kondo fans. Apparently she has a series out soon on netflix. Sure it will be a good watch.

cloudtree · 30/12/2018 21:47

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/3417737-No-Spend-19-join-us

whole thread of MNers doing this

LikeABundleOfHay · 30/12/2018 21:56

I started this last January. Bought a bundle of clothes on gumtree for DS which has him clothed for the year plus some handed down shoes. I've found some great clothes for me In the charity shops - good brands, better quality fabrics than in the regular shops. Its actually easier to shop in charity shops as just check your size and move on. Also got toys and books for DS.
I did buy myself a new coat which has been worn every day since Sept and some new shoes for work. Also period pants (new).
Not really buying anything for a year changes your mindset, I felt really unhappy spending so much on new items while Christmas gift shopping. Will pick up second hand gifts during the year this time.

Original poster
HurtSoul · 31/12/2018 07:03

cloudtree thanks I don't know how I missed that I am going to go join them!

I will still do little updates on here if I haven't failed miserably.

not oh wow that's exactly the type of shows I like watching
So satisfying!

OP posts:
Inthetropics · 31/12/2018 07:11

I did this a few yeara ago and it was great! Had a blog at the time about it, met lovely people and had a lot of fun! Go for it!

Inthetropics · 31/12/2018 07:15

Some people who do this have rules that allow them to replace necessary items (as in childrens shoes, for example). My family were also generous and gifted me with a few things i needed on my birthday (really needed socks).