Happy No New Stuff Year - The support thread for those flying in the face of consumerism!

[WewishyouaBUMPERLICIOUS]

My husband and I have set ourselves a challenge of not buying any new stuff for 6 months. Obvious exceptions are food, cleaning products and toiletries. Also outside of the rules are items that it would be detrimental to buy second hand for my 6mo baby, i.e. cot mattress, dummies etc.

I posted about this a couple of months ago, and have also noticed some posts on the style and beauty threads proposing the same thing. So this is the thread for those who want to join this challenge in some way, whether it be just buying no new clothes, buying nothing new at all, buying nothing at all, buying only second hand etc. Our motivation are different, for some it will be saving money (me), for others it may be flying in the face of rampant consumerism (me) and for others is may be trying to mitigate their impact upon the environment and in protest against the poorly treated workers producing the dirt cheap goods we come to expect today (also me!).

This thread could be invaluable support, with links to various recycling websites, tips on altering your clothes to liven up your wardrobe, advice to stop yourself frittering money on non-fat lattes and a pain au chocolate each day on the way to work and support to tell you "no you don't need a new lipstick - here's how to make your own!"

So come one come all: I dare you to set yourself this challenge and not buy anything new for as long as possible!

I popped in ages ago here and haven't been back since .

purplejennyrose - we still have a car (1 toddler in the house) as DH uses it to get to work, but obv this means that I don't have the use of it during the week. I walk a lot, but know this would be harder with 2 (double buggy etc) and have found public transport much easier as DS has got older, able to stand down rather than wriggle on my hip as I try and get change out of my pocket. I am quite brazen about asking for help tho - and most people are helpful... Used to use taxis when DS was small and in newborn car seat, don't fancy it so much now.

Other things - have been keeping up with meal planning. Sometimes I feel our diet is getting a bit dull, but hey ho. And my top money saving tip - write a list and send my DH to the supermarket. He never makes impulse buys, just sticks to the list (it's his inner nerd).

Also joined our local Freecycle as loads of DH's junk to get rid of. And have dusted down the sewing machine, but keep being tempted by lovely fabrics now

Oh and btw congrats filly and hope little one comes soon!!

Hello anti-consumerists!

How are we all doing? We are doing ok here. I did buy something new the other day in Ikea, but it was a wicker basket for my recycling so that's ok right? My kitchen isn't big enough so it has to sit in the hall if I am going to do it.

Oh and to put Filly out of her misery, I have started knitting! But I can only do the knit stitch (can't figure out how to purl, and my friend only taught me the basic stitch). Anyway I am going to start off with some scarves as presents (I should have one done by Christmas ), but I can embellish them with corsages etc. It's a start anyway. And I've already gotten addicted to looking for wool on ebay

Update here as it is also payday (hurray!).
I have bought 2 things this month, the book Affluenza as before and 1 present for a friend of ds's birthday. Feel really proud of myself and I have really noticed having more money - christmas credit card paid off and no overdraft which I think is fantastic for January.
I have also been spending a bit more on food, and cooking more, resulting in a freezer full of food. I think it's just increadible actually how you can change habits and get fast results. I must have wasted huge ammounts of time in the shops.
Smug? A bit, but I do thinks that this kind of cold turkey experience will be good to really help me long term.
How's everyone else doing at the end of the month?

Wow Kammy, thats great!

We have not quite recovered from some sales purchases at the beginning of Jan (pre-thread I should say!), but are doing better than we would otherwise be.

Today I overspent in Sainburys though, I think the fact that dh had been paid went to my head a bit - having more money available certainly made me blase about spending. Most of it was a less than frugal grocery shop, but also bought some packets of vegie seeds and seed trays, and a board game for the dc.

Then in town I got two birthday presents and some children's cutlery (rellies sent money to buy the kids something) and new shoes for dd (her toes were touching the end poor love)

So most of what I got was necessary, but I still feel bad to have done all that shopping in one hit. And I find that once I start thinking some things are necessary, a whole lot of other things seem necessary too.

Still, thats me done in town for the month though - I have no reason to go in again, so that should keep me out of trouble. Heres hoping the end of Feb will look healthier for th bank balance (and the planet) - will be my first whole month not consuming (in excess!)

Well I did buy some things in January, but I did say I didn't think I could totally not buy new stuff. But I have thought harder about what I was buying/thinking of buying, and have NOT bought some stuff that I probably would have done normally.

Well we're still juggling with our budget but only overspent by a bit for Jan - we'd been a bit optimistic with food and petrol!
We have got several expenses for the house - essential stuff like electrics - but we are planning when and how we can find the money for things, and waiting, and saving up for things which may sound basic but just really getting away from the mentality of 'we need it so we'll get it now'.

well thanks to the lovely MNetters who have sent me nappies and so on

And some lovely friends who have passed on babygrows and suchlike (gave EVERYTHING away, thought I was done with babies...)

And my other lovely friend who lent me a sling

And useful MN advice about cleaning mildew off pushchairs...

I have actually not BOUGHT anything for this baby, aside from a small amount of wool to make a hat and cardigan (MUST DO THIS!)

I am quite pleased with this, especially since I really had offloaded all the baby stuff and am pretty much starting again.

The only thing I now need is a couple of really soft towels, and I think, sod it, I'll buy them.

OTOH my bank balance is looking shocking, because last month we have had loads of unexpected expenses, not to mention insurance, cars, MOTs, repairs, etc etc. But still.

(and can i also say thanks again to tooticky who sent me a load of her ds's trousers for my ds. Its not a baby thingy but my god it helps and makes me feel environmentally better and the kids LOVE opening those parcels )

ok I didn't buy towels, I bought organic cotton extra-large terry nappies from the nappy/sling shop at the end of the road. Total cost £9. But also supporting local business etc etc.

Have made hat, am halfway through cardigan

and THEN I can give birth, yay!

Darth, thanks (all the way down there) for the shoe tips! Well, I feel pretty pleased reviewing January, I think I only bought that book and a memory stick for my computer. Just as well too as the babygarden finances are stretched, to put it mildly. Grocery bills just shocking. Have groceries become more expensive lately or am I just indulging myself at the supermarket to make up for restraining myself elsewhere?

Filly, do you use Lansinoh? Just realised I've got an unopened tube of it that goes out of date in November and I'm probably not going to need it before then!

DS's birthday later this week. From me he is getting a few "vintage" Enid Blyton books I got from freecycle. And a cheque for his savings account. And a home-made card.

Any other non-shoppers had to deal with a birthday yet this year?

oh Sophy you are good. Well done! My DS's 2nd birthday is in March. I had already bought some books and a dvd for him last year in sales, and I have swapped a jacket with another MNer for some jigsaw puzzles and a maraca to give him, and bought a 2nd hand thomas the tank plate and bowl set for him. I came unstuck when I tried to buy a thomas train to go with his train set on ebay, then realised I could get it cheaper new - so I bought it new!

I am trying to discourage others from buying him stuff - we will have to ship it all to Australia in 6 months. A mate is lending DS her (older) sons old garden slide until we go, and that will be his birthday present from them -perfect!

I have been purchacing new for other people's DC though. Anyone else?

Feeling rather crap today about the whole thing, as despite trying hard the last month, money is already low for Feb, and DH had an arguement about money this am

Filly? Any movement at the station?

oh, except I'm making my goddaughter a felt picture and embroidering her name and framing it for her Thanksgiving in Feb - actualy, I'd better spend less time on here and more time making that!

Astrophe - thanksgiving for you goddaughter in feb? What's that?

I'm sorry you are feeling low about this, I guess the savings are going to take some time to show. DH and I argue about money a lot, as we have different attitudes to it. I worry about it a lot, but mainly because worrying about it is what stops me going into town and blowing £50 on a pair of trousers from Oasis!

The presents for your DS sound good. The slide loan is a fab idea!

I had my little bro's birthday a couple of weeks ago. He was um, 12 I think. Anyway he is a quirky little fella so I bought him a couple of books from a charity shop, one on mecca as he is interested in world religions.

My birthday is next month. My mum asked what I wanted, she knows about this whole not buying thing (but it goes completely against her ethos!) I said as we are not buying new for other people I would be perfectly happy with something second hand, on the other hand if that makes things more difficult for her then I am v happy to have new stuff too! Not sure what DH is going to do. I suggested a nice charity shop handbag for when I go back to work, and was thinking maybe he could buy me a session with a reflexologist or similar at the local holistic therapies centre.

I have been buying stuff for birthdays, BUT it is stuff that works with my non-buying-it approach.

So ds has a bunch of friends with january birthdays, and they all got fruit trees (luckily all their parents have allotments!).

We also made some bits for them together-he seems to have a talent for pompom making

nothing yet astro-but I am not sure if I want it born yet. ATM the grandparents are up from far away, I am sat on the computer composing my birth plan ("have baby, keep placenta, help youself to food" is it so far) and downloading tunes for my Labour CD. Also I really want to finish up knitting this cardigan...

and I have an odd thing as well here-no one in my entire family has ever been born on an even numbered day. I am serious. So this also makes me antsy as today is an even numbered day

bumper, yes, it will take a while for the savings and change of attitude to show - a long slow process methinks. Feeling better today though I'm looking forward to the end of Feb o see how we are going by then -

thanksgiving: We are Christians - many people baptise their babies as a symbol of them being saved by Jesus' death. We (dh and I, and also my Goddaughters parents) prefer to have a thanksgiving service at church instead (saying thank you for the gift of the child, praying for them and promising to lovingly tech them about Jesus), but to leave baptism for a later time, when the child makes a decision of faith for her/his self.

So it looks very similar to baptism, minus the water, and without making promises on behalf of the child.

When I find one I will post a pic of other felt pictures I have made as gifts - they take a while, but are actually not difficult, if anyone is looking for homemade gift ideas.

DH is mad at me because I won't buy a birthday card for DS, although I bought some plants for the garden the other day.
(I am allowed to buy plants because it's good for the planet.)

I'm with you sophy, I think cards are pretty pointless, I'd rather spend 2 or 3 pound on a box of choccies! Especially pointless for a child - I'm sure DS won't care. My DH is the same as yours. He was aghast when I suggested not getting DD a Christmas prezzy (she was 6 months )

hi
i am new to mn but would love to join in- better late than never right
i have been more eco as late- due to lack of funds mainly! i have downsized my car instead of old petrol mondeo i now have a newer peugeot 106 diesal. i have noticed the money savings from that already much cheaper to run- insurance is almost half what it was and tax is lots less to. so very appreciative of this.
my daughter is and always has been in washable nappies i got from a friend.
my downfall is all the cute little girlie clothes i see when i'm out. but i have restrained myself as she has far too many already- half of them from my friends with older girls. so very eco here too
not made too bad a start without really trying
Sarah

Hi everyone, I just discovered your fab thread!! sorry to be so late.

At last someone in the same channels as me!!!!

I am having trouble with the present situation too as Dh's family as well as my Mum and Dad do not understand eco/second hand pressies and they are spending far too much on each other with 2 more new babies this year!!

I have a 16 month old ds and we didn't buy him and xmas/birthday presents, he doesn't even notice for g's sake! people look at us in a funny way! he is so spoiled by family and friends anyway and although we do tell them we prefer wooden presents/money for savings ac they still give us plastic toys which I hate, that is why I am a member of the toy library!

I've found the Ebay bundles fab for children's clothing, very good value for money!

On thing though, Ds broke the camera over the weekend, so had to splash out on a new one, nevermind.

have a good week

paow I was just about to link you to this thread from your other thread , hi dylsmum too!

As for presents, I've just started knitting. Scarves are dead easy and you can embellish them with broaches/buttons etc. Also some genius on here suggested getting beautiful tea cups and saucers from charidee shops and making them into candles.

For valentines day (following some heavy hints after i got nothing last year) dh bought me flowers, chocolate, champagne and a new top from Liberty. Said he thought he'd push the boat out as he knew I wasn't shopping for myslef. And said he wasn't expecting anything from me.

So I sent him an e-card.