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!

Another idea for the crap food soft play place. Take your own healthy sandwiches, carrot sticks etc. Buy drinks at the place such places usually have cartons of ribena or apple juice which I feel is the least worst of such evils and tea or coffee to consume with the healthy lunch you have brought with you. They should not complain then that you are doing them out of business. If challenged, ask to see the manager and explain that you were forced to bring your own food because the stuff they supply is so crap. Offer this information in the spirit of customer feedback. Tell them you'd probably go there a lot more often if they served better food, after all things won't ever change if you don't let them know there's a problem.

Or, if you don't feel like debating the point with them, tell them your kids have allergies.

DS2 polystyrene car booster seat has fallen to pieces - I think I can fix it up with duct tape - and can't see how this would be dangerous - its to lift him up, not hold him in. Shall I give it a go, and see if it lasts ?

No. Buy a new one. Not worth the risk.

Hi. Can I join too? We've got a house full to bursting with stuff, and are always skint, so a fab challenge. Although how on earth I'm going to get DH to Stop Buying Yet More Sodding DVDs We Don't Need I don't know!!!! DC no 3 is now overdue, but I think I have everything we need for him/her...have just swapped a carseat for a load of 2nd hand school uniform with a friend. yay!!!!!

Tyaca...re baby things, I've got most of mine from nearly new sales run by the local NCT branch...including a cot for £12!! (I did buy a new mattress though). I have tons of baby-gros etc, mostly sourced from charity shops/as good as new sales etc, although not many day clothes yet as I don't know if girl or boy! Another good as new sale in late Jan, by which time I'll know!

Will make a definite effort to plan meals better to minimise trips to the supermarket, and maybe ban DH from going there...he always returns with more DVDs...using the "but it was only 3 quid" excuse!

I think my motto for the year shall be 'a bargain is only a bargain if i need it'. Is that too self-righteous?

Totally agree with Sophy about the soft play centre food. I always take sandwiches on trips out with DS - for him of course, but I might just have the odd one too. I will often go and get a hot drink somewhere, plus a glass of tap water for him. If I was ever to be challenged on the food issue (which I haven't been yet) I would say
a) he's too young for most of the sugary/salty stuff on offer
b) they haven't lost any business because if I hadn't just had the drink I would have had nothing at all
It's definitely worth a try anyway. And if they persist, well they've lost a customer for good haven't they?

lol, this place has HUGE signs up saying "no picnics". And the owners are fierce...they DO ask people to leave (anyone who is local to me can possibly work out where I am talking about, and WHY I am still going, despite crapness re food and stuff but probably shouldn't actually say)

But from a Not Buying It pov, how does this work? If I bascially need to buy stuff so my kids can socialise...I mean, it is a meal out, but hardly a nice one.

would absolutely not save money on a car seat, btw. Its one of those things I'd always buy new, but would NEVER just do a DIY job. Its just not worth the risk IMO.

Just to clarify, its not a car seat, but a booster - he used to just sit like the rest of us in the car quite happily, but we had to get one due to law change last year.

Challenge today is to sort out filing, without resorting to buying more plastic folders. I've got loads already, so its a question of reorganising things better, then hopefully through out lots of out of date stuff, and generate more space.

I'm so glad to see loads of people joining in on this thread. CALM re: the soft play, I don't know what to suggest, I think it's something you should just "write off". You can't be couped up with your DC's all day and they need food! So maybe just buy the healthiest option.

I know something I battle over when food shopping is how to balance budget/healthiness/and ethics. Still puzzling over that. Does anyone use this site? I do quite often. I think a lot of it is the aforementioned 'spaving' but Martin lewis talks about supermarket shopping and down branding. Basically if you drop one brand level on most things you buy you could save about 30% on your shopping, e.g. if you buy tesco finest balsamic vinegar or something, maybe buy the normal stuff. If you buy sainsbury's digestives, try buying the basics. There is a thread somewhere on the forums about which own brand sttuff is actually made by branded manufacturers.

WRT to the knitting and the wool I think it depends. CALM does your DH need you to knit him a new hat? Does he already have a hat? On the other hand if you are knitting as a gift instead of buying a present, or if knitting is a great pleasure to you and stops you going out shopping and spending lots of money I would say it's ok. But then you don't have to listen to me, I'm not making up the rules

Oh wait a minute - it's my thread - yes I am. I am the boss of all of you and you must ask my permission to buy something!

I am taking the view that it is OK to buy consumables -- so meals out, cups of coffee etc. are fine. Obviously try to support independents where possible and I am rigorous about only consuming organic chicken, pork and beef, which means we usually go veggie when we eat out. It is the mountains of unnnecessary STUFF which I object to. But we all need to eat, so might as well buy the best (and most ethically produced) you can afford. And I see no problem in spoiling yourself occasionally with a treat, whether it's a nice meal out or a session with a beauty therapist. But NOT something which will hang around the planet almost forever.

Well, I have just sorted a book swap circle so that's my reading sorted for a while...

We are venturing out into town today as both boys need haircuts (I cannot do it for them ) and we will be going for a cuppa and a cake afterwards as bribery. But having not set foot in a shop since before xmas, that's ok

well i've got to go to town today as need to put my birthday money in the bank and i know iv got a few bits to get for dc's (aqueous cream being one of them, they both have such dry skin at them moment) but i shall only buy what we need

Agree with you there Sophy

Excellent thread, fantastic ideas, esp bookmooch/book circle swap - have registered, and suggested to big circle of friends that we start swapping - we have mountains of books.

I'm trying to cut back on the bucket loads of household cleaners we have. DH has a penchant for buying bulk packs of eg no scrub shower shine (which doesn't work anyway) I cleaned the whole oven/hob with bicarb of soda today and it looks fab And the kitchen doesn't smell of a chemistry lab, and the kids aren't inhaling obnoxious fumes

Anyone have any "recipes" for other cleaners, esp antibacterial surface type one?

I hardly ever buy clothes, cos I need to lose 2-3 stone 1st And most of the kids clothes are hand-me-downs from friends, then they get passed on to younger kids.

I used to be a beauty product junky but streamlined everything down to bare essentials when I was made redundant.

However I've just spent almost £200 on new duvet + bedding for our new bed Can justify the bed but not the bedding Oops

Tyaca - I'm getting a new car seat tomorrow (justified - DS has outgrown his so is moving up to DD's, so DD needs a new one) Do you want my Maxi Cosi Cabrio, free for postage? Hasn't been involved in any accident or dropped Still in excellent condition!

Amazonian, not sure of any recipes off hand but this old style money saving forum should have some useful info. Also imperfectly natural forum

tyaca - meant to post this earlier, and amazonianwoman's post reminded me: I have a second hand cot you're welcome to for free (Ikea one, plus bedding), however it's a bit bulky to post/send, and I'm in Oxfordshire. CAT me if you're interested.

ah if no one's going to object to buying meals and stuff, that makes everything SO much easier. In Not Buying It, the not eating meals out is a big thing.

I think to not buy coffees etc would mean me chipping away a small portion of my adultness. And given I spend all day, 6-6, with 2, soon to be 3, kids aged 4 and under, there is only just enough adultness to keep me afloat.

Will have to ponder on the hat. Actually he doesn't have a hat.

re the cleaners-I tend to think antibacterial stuff is a real con. If it bothered you though you could always add tea tree oil to stuff (though I tend to think tea tree oil is pretty nasty stuff, tbh, it smells like turps and gives me a similar headache)

iv never bothered with anti-bac for anything!

my kids have yet to have vomitting and diahreeoa (sp!!?!?!?!) well ds vomits but hes got relux! lol dd has been sick once since she was 8 mo (now 3.2) and that was after being at MIL's

(also have to admit im not brilliant with food hygine)

i would say good old washing up liquid is fine, but that might just be me!

right well today i went to town and managed to only buy: grapes, bananas, cucumber and aqueous cream. the fruit and veg was covered by my healthy start voucher so only spent £3.05, and that was off a boots gift card i got for xmas! so effectively i've spent nothing!

Thanks for links Bumper, will browse this evening

Found some great recipes here and website to buy ingredients here

I quite like the smell of tea tree, unless it's from a nappy bucket I've completely forgotten to empty

STacey - impressive. I've obviously over anti-bac'd everything cos DS has had 3 vomiting bugs in his 1st 9 mths So much for bf immunity too!

I'm just a bit paranoid cos our 2 flipping cats climb on the kitchen bench + table during the night. Yuck

my cat jumps on the side, and i forget and cut things on it

as i say no bugs

a bit of grime never hurt, iv always just used washing up liquid and all has been well.

I'm really going to try hard with this this year - I very seldom buy new things - i tend to get christmas/birthday presents from the salvation army store/ebay. I go on freecycle regularly and very very seldom buy new clothes (apart from pants/bras/socks etc) I'm really lucky because i have a fanTAStic charity shop that i go to once a week when i pick my boys up from school, they get a small toy and i stock up on books.

for me i think it's a question of buying secondhand, and if i have a burning URGE for something, then wait for the sales. i don't buy full price if i can help it - I plan my weeks food shopping around what is in the remainder counter at asda - i never buy full price meat, i always get the 'oopsies'.

I always feel i can do more though - I need to be more attentive in my recycling as well.

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OK I am doing well and I feel in the spirit of things.

MY rules for me are

Take in my OWN packed lunch (saves LOADS)
Buy toiletries/cleaning products when needed (eg finished) and not before
STarbucks or Coffee shop max once a week (not before work which was starting to be a habit)
No new clothes until I have lost 2st (and this is on the cards so I will have loads of 'new' stuff which is currently hidden in my wardrobe.
No 'wasteful' spending on STUFF
Books OK from charity shops
No weekly magazines
Buy things if/when needed, not 'just because'

DEJUNK the house and garage before buying new STUFF

I am convinced those simple changes will save me between £100 and £200 per month, without much hardship. It is not to save money specifically, more to start THINKING before I spend it. I am earning more than I was this time last year, so I have casually upped my spending. I am going to arrange a transfer of £200 pm into my savings and see if I can feel it. I am sure I was frittering that away on lunches, carperking, magazines, books, new nailvarnishes etc etc every month - NOT EVEN STUFF