Can I "not buy anything new for a year?"

[Millymollymandy]

Here's the thread about wee wipes, Farmerdrea!

http://www.selfsufficientish.com/forum/ ... =wee+wipes

[farmerdrea]

Oh, I remember the thread well, but at the time decided to keep my head in.

I was probably reacting a bit over-sensitively, due to a prob with another forum from which I was still sore (still am).

Anyway, gross or not, they work, we use 75% less loo paper than we did before (I have to be on meds which really tax my bladder, 'nuf said on that), and I went through 2-3 loo rolls a DAY. We only use the unbleached, recycled loo rolls, and they add up, at $3/pack of 6, and that's when they're on sale. So, I bought 22 terry cloth face cloths for $20, and away I went.

With our farming life and ensuing messes, I do a lot of laundry (around 10 loads a week!), so I'm never without my WEE RAGS.

So, there's my wee rag.

Andrea
NZ

[Milims]

With us it's more a case of for goodness sake go and buy something new!! We are lucky with the kids - they love charity shops, and have their own sense of style - so clothes are no prob - and the same applies to us grown ups too! As for the rest - none of us are particularly "stuff" orientated, we have pretty much all the "stuff" we need and there is really nothing else we want. If there is something then we either make it or it comes from freecycle or charity shops etc. At this time of year the "Sales" culture simply fills me with utter horror - who in their right mind would go and stand outside a shop at stupid-o'clock in the morning just to buy stuff they don't need or really even want, on a credit card they can't really afford to make payments to?
So we've decided that what we'll do is keep a note of the new things that we buy this year - along with the reason for buying them - that way we'll most likely be more conscious of what we are buying and what we really need!

[Thurston Garden]

Milims - now that seems like a good idea. I know I will have to buy some things new (the passengers door on the Land Rover is about to fall to bits - I have a new door top but am likely to need some glazing bars etc to do the job right).

Perhaps we could have a new thread "What we had to buy new" so I (/we lol) had to own upto it in public?

[Milims]

Sounds like a plan to me!

[ina]

I'd be up for that, too!

[Wombat]

So we've decided that what we'll do is keep a note of the new things that we buy this year - along with the reason for buying them - that way we'll most likely be more conscious of what we are buying and what we really need!

Yup! A really good idea!

Nev

[Milims]

Ok then - how about we all do it, on here - starting now! Yeah - I know it's not next year yet - but I made a significant purchase today. I bought a sewing machine - it was originally £179 but I paid only £49. I've been after one for ages - tried freecycle to no avail. It means that now I can convert all my old worn out towels into cleaning cloths and I can also start making cloth shopping bags. Maybe - when I get good at it - I may contemplate making something a bit more complicated!
Ok - its your turn now!

[Archie]

Was about to buy a de-humidifier to reduce/eliminate window condensation.
Now gonna open the windows instead.Can hear the neighbours already, HE NEVER OPENS THE WINDOWS.

[Busy Bee]

I'm doing this this year. Exceptions being utilities, food, medicines and toiletries. Although there may be other things along the way that I've not thought of yet.

We should be fine for underwear for another year. :)

I'd quite like to use alternatives to loo roll, although I've never thought about it before now.

[ina]

Had a new washing machine delivered yesterday. Needs must, and so on... I had two broken down old ones sitting in the kitchen, and I just couldn't cope with that anymore!

It's an ISE - they are built to last, and for easy repair if they do need it. They've been around for two years now, and the guy who installed mine says he's sold quite a few since then.


Ooops forgot I bought 8 books the other day. Can't live without books - and there aren't many used ones around (in charity shops etc) that I don't know yet and I like!

[QuakerBear]

Okay, here goes. Exceptions are: food, utilities, groceries (loo paper, laundry liquid etc.) and fuel.

Purchase 1. Saturday 12th January 2008. Two new Daphne Du Maurier books.

Purchase 2. Not sure if this counts. Saturday 12th January 2008. Two cinema tickets.

Purchase 3. Ditto. Monday 14th January 2008. Two games of bowling.

[hamster]

Ooh, I'm going to join in recording everything new I buy as well. I've been really bad this year compared to you lot! Not counting food, utilities, groceries and fuel, I've bought new:

1) 2 books - the latest Jasper Fforde and a book called 'Eating for Victory' with lots of public service leaflets from WW2.

2) Notebook & toiletries as gifts (but I wrapped them in re-used paper!!) and 2 birthday cards.

3) A jumper (cos it was warm and my house is cold). Realistically, if I tried to knit it it would take me.... well, until the weather got warmer, and I had searched ALL the charity shops around here for jumpers with natural fibres in before I bought a new one.

4) Knitting cotton to make a dishcloth. I suppose dishcloths are essentials, though.

5) In advance - am going to buy fabric today to make a skirt.

[hamster]

I bought more sewing bits today, zip, interfacing and needle threader.

Is anyone else interested in carrying on with this? I'd be quite interested to have somewhere to record things I buy new and to swap tips with other people. If anyone else is up for it, could this be made a sticky?

[QuakerBear]

I'll carry on.

Saturday 19th January:
2 birthday cards
2 metres of black ground cover
1 little sisters birthday pressie