Inspired by Katy of www.thenonconsumeradvocate.com, my theme for this year is "Buy Nothing New", and to hold myself accountable, I've set up a spreadsheet to record what I do buy new.
I've already come across one thing I bought new that I wish I hadn't - the electric skillet. And it's not because I don't use it, because I do use it - every single day since the only burner left working on the stove is a small one. But I bought the skillet new at WM :( when there was a vintage pyrex electric skillet at the antiques store, which I now think about every time I get out the one I did buy. Oh well, one step at a time.
We spent $35 at Once Upon a Child to set up Isabelle with clothes for all summer (5 outfits, 3 shirts, and 2 dresses). While there, we dug in the shoe bin to find sandals for $3.50 when we had just bought new sandals for $18. One step at a time.
Another new purchase was fabric to make 3 nightgowns for Isabelle. That's a splurge for me as much as her as I do love to sew and she got to pick out her own fabrics. No regrets. :)
Other exemptions from my Buy Nothing New campaign are underwear, yarn (although I do buy a lot of yarn second hand), safety equipment, and..... That's all I can think of for now. I may update the list later.
So, what's the point, right? For me, it's 2-part. First is the fact that there is just so much stuff out there, why buy new and send the message to the manufacturers that more stuff is needed. It really isn't. On top of that, stuff made now doesn't typically last. It's made to be replaced in a year. And that's crazy.
Second is that most of the time, I can find what I'm looking for at a better (lower) price. So why spend money on stuff that I don't have to? The saved money can go in the "experiences" fund.
I'm looking forward to reviewing my spreadsheet at the end of the year to see how well I did with my Buy Nothing New campaign. Want to join me? I'd love to have you on this journey with me. Just let me know in the comments.
Cheers!
AnnDenee
I've already come across one thing I bought new that I wish I hadn't - the electric skillet. And it's not because I don't use it, because I do use it - every single day since the only burner left working on the stove is a small one. But I bought the skillet new at WM :( when there was a vintage pyrex electric skillet at the antiques store, which I now think about every time I get out the one I did buy. Oh well, one step at a time.
We spent $35 at Once Upon a Child to set up Isabelle with clothes for all summer (5 outfits, 3 shirts, and 2 dresses). While there, we dug in the shoe bin to find sandals for $3.50 when we had just bought new sandals for $18. One step at a time.
Another new purchase was fabric to make 3 nightgowns for Isabelle. That's a splurge for me as much as her as I do love to sew and she got to pick out her own fabrics. No regrets. :)
Other exemptions from my Buy Nothing New campaign are underwear, yarn (although I do buy a lot of yarn second hand), safety equipment, and..... That's all I can think of for now. I may update the list later.
So, what's the point, right? For me, it's 2-part. First is the fact that there is just so much stuff out there, why buy new and send the message to the manufacturers that more stuff is needed. It really isn't. On top of that, stuff made now doesn't typically last. It's made to be replaced in a year. And that's crazy.
Second is that most of the time, I can find what I'm looking for at a better (lower) price. So why spend money on stuff that I don't have to? The saved money can go in the "experiences" fund.
I'm looking forward to reviewing my spreadsheet at the end of the year to see how well I did with my Buy Nothing New campaign. Want to join me? I'd love to have you on this journey with me. Just let me know in the comments.
Cheers!
AnnDenee
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