Charlottechicken Posted December 1, 2007 Share Posted December 1, 2007 (edited) I am going to have a go at this next year, anyone care to join me? Here is some info (shamelessly quoted from another forum ) The Idea Behind It To go a bit further than just Reduce Reuse Recycle; to help prove you are able to resist the relentless tide of corporate advertising and promotions that are engineered to make you part with your money; to make you examine in close detail what you actually spend your disposable income on in the first place; to further support local shops, food producers and small businesses. What CAN I buy then? You can buy anything you like, provided it is second-hand. Better still, borrow it or find it somewhere like Freecycle or a skip! Are there any exceptions? There are ALWAYS exceptions. * Food and drink * Utility/work clothing * Medicines and other medical supplies - but not stuff like Botox treatments or Viagra unless prescribed by a doctor * Stuff for cleaning (but do try making your own) * School supplies for children * Certain essential services like vets, plumbers, mechanics etc * Things that are essential for your work * Renewing subscriptions (no new ones) * Giving money to charity * Emergency birthday presents??? It should be a challenge, but I am sure it will leave me with a bit more money at the end of the year! Edited January 25, 2009 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 1, 2007 Share Posted December 1, 2007 WOW what a great idea! I would like to try it but next year is NOT the year. I'm doing my ligtherlife and losing weight. Yes I am buying most of my new clothes second hand (Ebay) BUT when I hit target I will be enjoying buying new ones. Also fulfilling a long time promise to buy a pair of Manolo Blahnik shoes! Oh and some slinky evening dresses for school proms, formal nights on cruises etc. I do a lot of this for James anyway, we buy most of his toys at charity shops or boot sales. Just last week we got a basket full of lego and an AMAZING combine harvester for just £2 at the church christmas bazaar. Oh and I bought a load of books there too. Emergency birthday presents seems a bit odd too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted December 1, 2007 Author Share Posted December 1, 2007 Emergency birthday presents seems a bit odd too. I think it means when you don't have time to make anything? I will be cheating on the presents, as I have some Boots points and will use them when the sale stuff gets to a quarter of the original price, so not technically buying anything just exchanging points for stuff I know people who would not be impressed by anything home made Penguinmad, I think you are already in the spirit of this, with all your second hand purchases! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperwife Posted December 1, 2007 Share Posted December 1, 2007 I really like this idea, I will join in with this. I got myself a new top to wear at the theatre and when I got home there was something on the news about sweatshops in poor countries, and I decided that I wasnt going to buy anything unless it was from charity shops or fair trade for a year (hopefully by then it would be a habit, so it would continue) most of my family realise that I make stuff, so will expect either home made or fair trade presents for a year (or so ) I like the idea of saving money cathy x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted December 1, 2007 Share Posted December 1, 2007 It would be worth calculating how much you actually do save. That would give something to think about! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted December 1, 2007 Author Share Posted December 1, 2007 It would be worth calculating how much you actually do save. That would give something to think about! Probably not much in the end, I am already an 'extreme saver' and operate on a really tight budget (my choice ). I'm just hoping to put more thought into it, get the creative juices flowing. I can see a saving of about £25 a month for myself, doesn't sound a lot but add it up! It is the thought that has to go into it too. I suppose an average person probably wastes in excess of £100 a month on things they don't actually really, really need, think bought lunches and magazines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperwife Posted December 1, 2007 Share Posted December 1, 2007 It would be worth calculating how much you actually do save. That would give something to think about! Probably not much in the end, I am already an 'extreme saver' and operate on a really tight budget (my choice ). I'm just hoping to put more thought into it, get the creative juices flowing. I can see a saving of about £25 a month for myself, doesn't sound a lot but add it up! It is the thought that has to go into it too. I suppose an average person probably wastes in excess of £100 a month on things they don't actually really, really need, think bought lunches and magazines. I probably waste a lot more I am good at buying random rubbish, that I really dont need, so this would be interesting for me to take up (ill probably be loaded by the end of it all ) cathy x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmandaR Posted December 1, 2007 Share Posted December 1, 2007 I really like the sound of this but I don't think I would have the will power to do it for a whole year I could manage the pressies, nik naks and clothes but not hair cuts, hair dyes (unless they are 'essential services' ) or running out of certain make up items Hmmm, thinking about it though...I could have a MASSIVE spending spree at boots on the 31st December and block book all my hair appointments for the next year (renewals?) - would that count? Gosh, I sound so vain but I'm not really - honest! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted December 1, 2007 Author Share Posted December 1, 2007 (edited) Cathy, many years ago I wrote everything that I bought down in a notebook (for a year ) It was so shocking and enlightening at the same time, I have been an extreme saver ever since, and my savings helped get me my house! Edited December 1, 2007 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted December 1, 2007 Author Share Posted December 1, 2007 I could manage the pressies, nik naks and clothes but not hair cuts, hair dyes (unless they are 'essential services' ) or running out of certain make up items They could be classed as essential for your work Alternatively, give it a go for the weeks between your hair appointments, it's the thought that counts, after all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmandaR Posted December 1, 2007 Share Posted December 1, 2007 Charlottechicken - I may combine your ideas and try not to buy new as much as possible but write in a notebook everytime I managed to refrain from purchasing something or when I've got it at a reduced rate (secondhand etc). I think realising the savings in this way may help to keep me on the straight and narrow I'll be watching this topic with interest next year to see how everyone is getting on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperwife Posted December 1, 2007 Share Posted December 1, 2007 I like the notebook idea but I think I would be horrified about how much random rubbish I buy hmmmmmmmm will keep you all informed. might put it on my blog (not updated for ages) cathy x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperman Posted December 1, 2007 Share Posted December 1, 2007 So Cathy, if you are not going to buy anything for a year, does this mean we could trade in your surplus shoe mountain and buy a second hand Ferrari with the proceeds? Just the space we'd save would make room for a second hand snooker table or two! Great idea, I love it. Kev. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperwife Posted December 1, 2007 Share Posted December 1, 2007 Kev, NO I will not be selling my shoes I obviously NEED them all you never know when a pair of pale pink beaded high heel shoes will be the ultimate solution to every problem on earth (men, huh, they have NO IDEA ) cathy x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted December 2, 2007 Author Share Posted December 2, 2007 I might have to think about a special 'new shoes clause' for this then. I never thought about a year with no new shoes They all might have to be work related purchases Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 2, 2007 Share Posted December 2, 2007 I like the notebook idea but I think I would be horrified about how much random rubbish I buy hmmmmmmmm will keep you all informed. might put it on my blog (not updated for ages) cathy x The notebook idea is great - I was looking for an excuse to buy the one in Aldi today....http://www.aldi.co.uk/uk/html/offers/2867_4293.htm Also with my dieting I have to buy a new bra about every 6 weeks. Surely you have to buy new underwear???? Finally - One day I'm going to do a photo tour of my Ebay house, I've furnished half my house off Ebay with nearly new stuff which I'm buying cos the idiots who like to buy new stuff every year (probably on credit!) sell it off cheap. People are amazed when I tell them what I paid for some stuff, I'm sitting at an oak ikea dining table, which I use as a desk, which cost me a tenner! I have a fantastic light in my dining room that cost £1, loads of Billy bookcases that were around half price each. I coffee table that cost a tenner, a solid oak occasional table that cost £35, solid oak TV cabinet that cost £105 BUT was only 2 months old (she bought it for her new house before she moved and it was too big!!! - I have the receipt for £600!!!!!) a small coffee table that cost a fiver, a solid oak lamp table with wonderful twisted legs £35, 2 brand new wall lights for £25 the pair (these idiots never even put them up!) an amazing Mcintosh shaker style sideboard in my hall that is hand made dark teak, rich patina and almost identical to the wood on my stairs (trust me it looks like it was made to go there) and cost £50, an oak mfi sideboard for £35 (still on sale in MFI when I bought it for £450 but it was well overpriced!!!). A Pewter framed large mirror (debenhams) for £5, A pine Cheval mirro £10 and probably some more I hadn't thought of!!! Why did I buy all this stuff? Well a year ago I moved into a much bigger house and my furniture, which was all about 10 years old was all Mahogany. This house has light oaky floors and light walls and mahogany just wasn't going to look right. So I've sold my stuff or freecycled it and bought "new". Sometimes I even buy things I didn't know I wanted because I have a search set up on Ebay to search for anything local that is collection or pickup only. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted December 2, 2007 Author Share Posted December 2, 2007 Also with my dieting I have to buy a new bra about every 6 weeks. Surely you have to buy new underwear???? New underwear is allowed, just not truckloads of La Senza What a bargain hunter you are Peng, all that furniture at a fraction of the retail price, well done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted December 2, 2007 Share Posted December 2, 2007 I've read about the original project where they tried this, and I am really interested. I have to dress smartly for work, and I think haircuts would have to be 'essentials' (I don't have the sort of hair that you can just grow long, it's too fine and needs cutting regularly). I spend so much on buying lunches that I could easily make at home. And if I re-read every book in my house, I could read two books a week and last all year! Anyway, I could sell things on Green Metropolis and just use the money on there to buy other books, that wouldn't be cheating would it? And I really don't need more clothes. Ummm ... do beer and wine count as 'food'? (Gin is an essential food group as far as I'm concerned!) Seriously - I am tempted to give this a go, probably not 100% but I might try it for a month. I've also done the 'notebook' thing when I was much poorer, and it works wonders for focusing the mind on what you spend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted December 2, 2007 Share Posted December 2, 2007 Olly do you ever use your local library to save you buying new books? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 2, 2007 Share Posted December 2, 2007 I find the library too expensive. The fines for being late are ridiculous and I NEVER remember to take books back. All books come from charity shops, boot sales, bazaars etc. Local church bazaar I spent £2.20 on books - 6 paperbacks at 20p each and 2 hardbacks at 50p each. Then the lovely chap said "lets call that £2!" I didn't though, ended up giving him £2.50 and telling him to keep the change - it was all for the church! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted December 2, 2007 Share Posted December 2, 2007 Does your library not do renewals over the phone or internet? i must admit, I have to make diary notes for when my books are due back to avoid fines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 2, 2007 Share Posted December 2, 2007 Yep you can renew online. Trouble is you still have to remember to do it! You have to remember by lookign at the stupid slip the computer prints after you checkout your own books. Of course I've usually lost that slip before I get outta the doors! I took Mum to the library today, she still uses them but prefers to go on Sunday afternoon as they have less people in using the computers. Since they filled the libraires full of computers she has been less keen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted December 2, 2007 Share Posted December 2, 2007 I used to be an avid library user, when I was a child I'd be there every week to change my books! however I can only get to the local one at weekends, and I used to be away so often that I never got back in time to change them. Yes, I think you can renew online - but it would mean I'd take four books out and then have them for months (and probably lose them!) I'm sorry that I don't use the library so much any more, because I think they are an important resource - but the opening hours, and the stock of books available, didn't do it for me. Must admit I haven't joined the library since I moved last year, but my previous one wasn't open on Sundays. I don't often buy new books, though - Oxfam, PDSA, and other charity shops, or Green Metropolis which is brilliant. If I buy new ones, they are always lent out (or given) to friends/family, and read by three or four people. I stopped keeping books several years ago - unless it's rare, or something I really, really want to read again, I pass it on. There is almost nothing you can't find again on Amazon if you really want it. The only ones I keep are classics (Trollope, Austen, Dickens) which I will read again and again, they are usually 99p versions anyway, poetry books, and second-hand hardbacks that would be hard to track down again. Anyway -sorry, this is a big digression from the original thread - maybe if I did sign up wholeheartedly to the 'nothing new for a year', I'd make myself use the library again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted December 3, 2007 Share Posted December 3, 2007 I did start looking at this last year - but failed miserably We've had to renew so many things and have to buy stuff for all the animals and I didn't have time to find all of it second-hand. .......we did however buy the adorable 'Vic Reeves' tractor, a cattle crush, hay rack, sheep hurdles etc. as second hand. I just need to get my personal spending a bit more under control now....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina C Posted December 3, 2007 Share Posted December 3, 2007 I remember reading about this last year too. I would love to join in but not sure I could live without my magazines, newspapers and a few new clothes (don't buy clothes often and am sitting here in 5 year old jeans with a big rip across the leg - must buy some new ones soon). I am not much of a shopper anyway but not sure I could commit to the whole thing - especially with a growing consumer, sorry, girl, in the house. For myself I have no commuting or associated costs as I work at home, I love charity shops (got some great 'Pier' shot glasses from Oxfam last week) and apart from what I have mentioned above have few needs. Maybe I will try it (for myself, not my family) for a month and see how it goes. Not committing yet, will think about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
