buy nothing new for a month

Posted on October 4th, 2012

If there is one thing I would truly love to inspire everyone around me to do…it’s to buy less. Everyone gets into decluttering and simplifying by buying great storage containers and having big cleanouts. But. Really. The only way to simplify your life and be responsible with your consumption – in many directions at once – is to buy less stuff in the first place. Including storage containers.

Image via Photography Inspiration

Buying less saves time, it saves headaches, it saves storage angst, it saves relationships, it saves money and it saves the planet. Honestly. There is no reason to be wasting as much as we do. The facts are these:

  • A 2005 paper from the Australia Institute by Clive Hamilton Richard Denniss and David Baker tells us “Aussies have admitted to spending over $10 billion every year on goods we do not use: clothes and shoes, CDs, DVDs and food, and approximately $7 billion of that is food.
  •  Each year in Australia nearly 20 million tonnes of waste goes to landfill. By way of comparison, this amount exceeds spending by Australian governments on universities and roads.

I appreciate not everyone can wear the same pair of green shorts almost every day for four years (actually, it’s been two pairs, same colour, same size, for eight years). Or go without buying anything for 13 months. But I reckon we can all last a month without going to the shops and purchasing. And I also reckon we will all love it when we do. I know we will. I worked this out a few years ago and live by it. Try it!

Which is my segue to this: October is Buy Nothing New month. I don’t need to spell out the gist, do I…but background guff:

  • funded by the Brotherhood of St Laurence and Sacred Heart Mission, it’s a Nation-wide campaign to try to get Aussies to cut down on our spending.
  • if you’re joining in, you can still buy food, drink, medication, and hygiene products during the Buy Nothing New campaign.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE join me in not buying anything new. Yes?? The month has already started. No run-up. Time is nigh. Just. Don’t. Go. To. The. Shops. Easy.

Need some inspiration? How about these…

20 Tips for Buying Nothing New

* Buy second-hand clobber. Buy designer lables – second-hand – at these great outlets around the country. I bought the most amazing Christian Laboutin pink stiletto boots for $100 at BlueSpinach in Sydney…years before I knew what a red sole meant on the streets. eBay makes sharing of second hand goods easy and accessible. So does  Gumtree, and Freecycle, which is awesome – and free!

* Eat nothing in a packet: So says Eric Bana, another BNN ambassador. It’s the simplest motto for good eating, too. And for losing weight. Kill many birds with the same rock!

* Eat at Silo. Check out this fabulous cafe in Melbourne where they re-use EVERYTHING. Bravo to them.  I’ll be supporting the cause by running all my meetings while in Melbourne next week from here! Might see you there!

* OK. You’ll have to buy new food. Well, maybe not…try this ideas:

  • google ‘leftover recipes’ – you’ll be amazed at what you can do with leftovers!
  • shop to a specific list and buy only what you need.

* I cook in batches, using up the whole onion, the whole tin of tomatoes, all the beans. And I freeze what I don’t eat (which is more environmentally sound than storing the stuff in the fridge, anyway).

* When my veggies are looking lack-lustre, I make a big soup with lentils and bacon thrown in for flavour and protein. I stab-mix the lot. I juice fruit and beetroots and carrots. Or I make mish-mash meals.

* I don’t buy more until I’ve finished what I already have (in the fridge/pantry). I completely run out of yoghurt before I set out to buy another. That way I find myself then using up the last of the sour cream or cheese in the interim.

* For more, check out my thoughts on the love food hate waste campaign 

* Swap your clothes: Matt Paroz shared these tips on my blog a while back:

* If you’re in Melbourne October 8-12 check out The New Joneses – a family who will spend five days in a sustainable, pop-up apartment at FedSquare, entering in undies and bathrobes, bringing just the essentials and a scavenger list. Challenged to clothe themselves and fill their home with furniture, in the spirit of ‘new consumption’ The New Joneses will borrow, rent, swap or source their stuff second hand.

* Check out the local op-shop or weekend markets, or even the vintage section of Etsy.

* Try to source things second hand. Shop at charities like Brotherhood of St Laurence and Sacred Heart Mission, which extends the life of goods and supports our community.

Buy your books on line, second-hand… and help a charity.

* Share others’ power tools at openshed.com.au

Holiday in someones else’s pad with airbnb.com. I did all across Europe. Really, really easy and fun.

* Share a car with GoGet. You can read about my experiences with car-sharing here.

* Learn how to eat sustainably. Check out Sustainable Table for tips. And it’s a pretty website.

* Try some tips from Love Food Hate Waste. You’ll be wasting less food, saving the environment, and saving yourself some money.

* Learn how to make your own cleaning products from stuff in your pantry.

* Or, at the very least, buy your cleaning gear from Ecostore Australia.

To join Buy Nothing New month, take a pledge here with friends…

Tell me what you get up to…any clever ideas, swap meets, frock exchange links you love etc, and I’ll share here and on Twitter….

 

 

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  • Taylah says:

    This would be a lot easier if I weren’t graduating in 3 weeks and didn’t need a new dress. :(

    [Reply]

    K Reply:

    You can get one second hand? You don’t need a brand new, but a pretty second hand one would do the trick ;)

    [Reply]

    Jax Reply:

    I bought my beloved and pre-loved grad 70′s gown from a vintage store for $20. All it needed as a needle and thread to fix the embellishments. I wore it with my fave ‘going out’ shoes. My girlfriends and I got ready together, doing each others hair, nails and make up was heaps of fun. The best part was the hunt for the dress, going into a vintage shop gives you the licence for your own ‘trying on ridiculous’ outfits montage.

    Now I’m going to hunt down that dress in the back of the wardrobe and turn it into a summer frock.

    Enjoy the hunt!!

    [Reply]

    October 4th, 2012 at 9:59
  • Love that you are spreading this message Sarah.

    http://www.brotherhoodbooks.org.au is incredible

    To Taylah above – perhaps you can hit up etsy vintage or some of the links Sarah mentioned. Goodluck! x

    [Reply]

    October 4th, 2012 at 10:40
  • Rachel says:

    I can’t sing the praise of Freecycle loudly enough – it’s amazing what I’ve given away on it, to people who I know need or want the stuff I don’t want – books, furniture, a big outside umbrella, an old but still working printer, a cassette player, a roll of soft tape that physios use for making slings (leftover from a broken collar bone – the physios collecting a table and chairs took it too), a doggie door … I wouldn’t have been able to give some of it to charities (many won’t take electrical stuff and will only pick up on a day that suits them and it doesn’t suit me to sit at home all day to give something away) but Freecyclers will take anything.

    [Reply]

    October 4th, 2012 at 11:09
  • Laura says:

    Instead of buying books, go to the library! I love libraries. :)

    [Reply]

    grace b Reply:

    I totally agree! Whenever I go into a bookstore and have a look-round I just save the book titles that I like on my phone (it’s not even a smartphone–I just use the notepad tool) and then track them down at the library. I have a box of books that I don’t even read currently! Tsk Tsk.

    [Reply]

    Charlie Lunar Reply:

    Yep! I borrow so many things from the libraries around my city.

    DVDs, Books, CDs- you can also request they purchase certain library-related-things and the best thing is you know other people are going to be enjoying the same purchase too.

    I’m also love hard rubbish.
    I found the most beautiful old rocking chair a while ago that had been broken slightly. Chucked in a nail- sanded it down!

    Waste not!

    [Reply]

    October 4th, 2012 at 12:31
  • C says:

    Melbourne op shop tips:
    Brotherhood of St Laurence in the basement of Royal Arcade in the CBD (wonderful things, often new)
    St Johns in Toorak, tucked down a side street off the Toorak Village, tiny but always beautiful things (and the ladies who run the shop are delightful!)
    Vinnies in Auburn- amazing house things

    The wonderful book ‘Frugavore’ by Arabella Forge is so useful. And I swap things from my garden with friends (I’ll trade you this silverbeet for that rocket/parsley etc…although everyone always has too much mint!)

    [Reply]

    October 4th, 2012 at 12:41
  • Kate says:

    Love love love this post Sarah.

    Some more ideas:
    1. Go to the library – especially the toy library for kids!
    2. Unsubscribe to all LivingSocial / Groupon / Catch of the Day type emails – just because something is a bargain doesn’t mean you need it.
    3. Specify on birthday party invitations – “no presents please”. Just get your friends to shout you a drink instead!
    4. Save up for the best of something. For example, I’m regretting buying a cheap camera lens because now I want to upgrade. I should have just saved up and got the best one to start with.

    [Reply]

    Sarah Reply:

    I love number 4!! thats a great plan

    [Reply]

    Mia Bluegirl Reply:

    YES. Number 4 is the best! It’s easier to buy less if you love it more, and have it longer.

    [Reply]

    Two Modern Cavewomen Reply:

    My shopping motto has always been “it’s not a bargain unless you wanted one anyway”.

    [Reply]

    Ange Reply:

    Totally agree – I desperately needed a new mattress for my bed, but I wanted to get a really good one. I’ve been thinking about it for over a year now but wasn’t going to hand over the money unless I could get a good deal, then one morning I heard on the radio that a store (that I never shop in usually..) was having a 50% off sale on mattresses for that weekend. I was there within the hour and a week later it arrived and I have been sleeping on a cloud ever since. Best sleep I’ve had in years (I have a bad back & would regularly wake up with numb arms and hips on the old mattress) and while it still cost me a lot of money for the mattress, I look at it as a bargain and a 15 year investment in good sleep!

    [Reply]

    Nicole Reply:

    My motto applies to #4 – buy cheap, buy twice.
    Life is better having quality not quantity.

    [Reply]

    Liz Reply:

    My husband is a HUGE proponent of this and I have lost track of the number of times I have said quietly under my breath, “He’s right!”. :) It’s weird, but his mother is the exact opposite and thus has 3/4 of her and my FIL’s wall in wardrobe as well as the entire wardrobe in one of their spare rooms!! She cannot turn down a bargain, but has so many clothes she’s barely even worn. I should mention this challenge to her :)

    [Reply]

    Lisa Ingram Reply:

    Oh yes. Number 4. Saucepans. FINALLY got some good ones with riveted on handles not screws or spot welds. Bargains? Nope, the others just fell to bits in the end, even Scanpan. Less is more! – I am positive this is my last and final buy for something pretty necessary. Lisa

    [Reply]

    October 4th, 2012 at 13:30
  • Kate says:

    Very cool message- last year I went on a full 12 months of purchasing only second hand and fair trade clothing- was easier than you’d think! My wardrobe is now filled with much better quality, guilt-free treasures :)

    [Reply]

    October 4th, 2012 at 13:36
  • I’ve been reading a new book called Food Shock (due out next month) after being given a preview copy of it. (www.foodshock.com.au).

    150 years ago, we spent half our income on food & clothes (most of it on food). Today, 14 cents in the dollar gets spent on food, and the farmer gets only 2 cents of that money.

    We spend a large portion of the rest of it by surrounding ourselves with things we don’t need. An aquaintance of mine recently said how she was grateful for the government subsidy she got for her kids because it meant they could afford to go on an extra cruise once a year. I politely explained that perhaps that money could be better spent somewhere other than her way, and she thought that they were entitled to it and that life should be easy. Too many people have way too much and are over entitled.

    I now have a home (that the bank owns) and a nice business and each month I give money to the School Of St Jude in Tanzania. Gemma Sisia sure knows how to get a LOT out a small amount of money. (I’m waffling now :) !!)

    A few days ago I did buy myself a gift, that I saved up for too! A garmin watch with GPS so when I walk on the beach I know how far I’m walking and at what speed. It’s like being on a treadmill, but at the beach. I’m so glad I got that one in before October started ;)

    [Reply]

    UK Reply:

    But isn’t someone elses cruise your GPS watch? Some might argue your money could have been “better spent elsewhere” – it’s individual choice though isn’t it? Yes “too many people have way too much and are over entitled”, but I’m afraid you seem to contradict yourself there by admitting to buying a GPS watch :)

    [Reply]

    Two Modern Cavewomen Reply:

    Not quite the point I was making. I earn my money, my friend was using government subsidies to go on an EXTRA cruise each year, and when I suggested perhaps they didn’t need the government handout, she said “But it makes liek so much easier”. I bet it does. It’s THAT kind of thinking, that people need EVERYTHING, that’s the problem, not me saving up for a little treat that’s going to allow me to get out in the fresh air and walk without pushing the boundaries too far.

    While I do love the concept of living frugally, and I do it a fair bit of the time myself, when I get a couple of thousand dollars in my personal kitty, I feel obliged to spend a bit to keep the economy going, in the same way I pay someone to come wash my dogs, clean my house and do my lawns because my health doesn’t allow me to do all that and work as well. Like it or not, we also have an economy to keep moving.

    I absolutely refuse to shop from overseas onlines stores unless it’s something I can’t buy here and I won’t go and try something on in a shop and buy it online, that’s just plain rude. Being frugal is great, doing it at the expense of honest people trying really hard to make a living and create jobs is wrong.

    [Reply]

    belindab Reply:

    In your opinion, yes. We are each driven to do what we do our own way. You sound like you do a lot of great, socially-conscious, environmentally-sound stuff. Laying off the judgement of how others’ make their choices would free up energy to do even more!

    October 4th, 2012 at 14:40
  • Ecostore cleaning products are awesome. The cream cleanser can help you get calcium build up off glass in the shower and also cut through grease & grime on your kitchen stove top as well as cleaning basins. It’s a really great multi-use product that’s overlooked.

    I also use the dishwasher tablets and the laundry powder works great. If you’re lucky enough to have a Woolies near by, most of them sell it.

    [Reply]

    October 4th, 2012 at 14:46
  • Nicky says:

    Can I suggest that instead of plugging a chain that people support local, independent tailors if they can find them. They are around. My local tailor is a lovely old italian dude. Very old school and very reasonable. I hate the thought of people like him losing out to chains.

    [Reply]

    Steph Reply:

    Looksmart is actually a franchise – each one is run by an individual small business owner.

    [Reply]

    Nicky Reply:

    Yes but that’s still not wholly independent. I just looked up the closest LookSmart to where I live and I can see there’s one in Westfield Bondi Junction. My tailor Tony is also in BJ but up a little lane way where his rent is presumably much cheaper. Local. Old school. Not in Westfield. You can’t argue that supporting him is not better in many ways.

    [Reply]

    seeker Reply:

    I’d love to support your tailor Nicky, and also live in the area …. what are his details, I will defo check him out. Thanks for the suggestion. :)

    Nicky Reply:

    Oh that’s great! You go up some stairs to reach him.
    Above news agency, right near Fitness First.He does a wonderful job.

    Level 1, 114 Spring St
    Bondi Junction
    9387 4061

    October 4th, 2012 at 15:03
  • cintia says:

    I tend to live by the buy nothing new philosophy as much as I can, it’s incredible how much money you save when you don’t spend on trivial things and follow trends. The Op shop is my favorite place.

    I love re-fashioning existing unwanted garments into new outfits http://mypoppet.blogspot.com.au/2012/09/how-to-one-hour-dress.html

    I also written a whole ebook about making gifts with just fabric scraps. Waste not, want not!
    http://mypoppet.blogspot.com.au/2012/09/six-baby-gifts-to-make-with-fabric.html

    [Reply]

    October 4th, 2012 at 20:03
  • Great read Sarah thank you. One of the best things I did that minimises our food waste is to buy a smaller fridge. I had been wishing our old fridge to die so I could go out and buy one of those swanky french door numbers, or at least a super big family size one. When the fridge did die space restrictions meant the big swanky number wouldn’t fit in without some remodelling of the adjoining cupboards. Begrudgingly I got a medium sized fridge and I love it. Nothing gets lost at the back, I use up everything before it gets replaced and I can see at a glance what needs to be used before it goes off!

    [Reply]

    October 4th, 2012 at 20:13
  • UK says:

    Thanks Sarah, this has given me the kick up the bum I needed – I usually try to live simply, but then fall of the rails and end up buying excess rubbish (whether clothes, food or bits and pieces). This is one of my favourite quotes, although I’m not sure who its by:

    “Advertising has us chasing cars and clothes. working jobs we hate, so we can buy shit we don’t need [to impress people we don't like].”

    [Reply]

    seeker Reply:

    LIKE! :)

    [Reply]

    Mia Bluegirl Reply:

    It’s been misquoted from the movie Fight Club.

    “Advertising has us chasing cars and clothes, working jobs we hate so we can buy shit we don’t need. We’re the middle children of history, man. No purpose or place. We have no Great War. No Great Depression. Our Great War’s a spiritual war… our Great Depression is our lives. We’ve all been raised on television to believe that one day we’d all be millionaires, and movie gods, and rock stars. But we won’t. And we’re slowly learning that fact. And we’re very, very pissed off.”

    Great movie, check it out.

    [Reply]

    Elle Reply:

    I have heard it came from someone who worked in advertising back in the 50s or 60s..

    [Reply]

    October 5th, 2012 at 0:00
  • elissa c says:

    I’m so glad to see you promoting Buy Nothing New Month.

    [Reply]

    October 5th, 2012 at 1:06
  • Laura says:

    I really like this frugal thinking post and totally want to cut down on my consumption :) I am learning to appreciate all my clothes with different accessory combinations to make it feel like I have a new outfit each time…or borrow off friends who seem to enjoy styling me anyway!

    Another tip…If you live with someone i.e. a flatmate, you can always let them know if you don’t think you will eat something up and ask if they want some or if you have a flatmate who is bad at wasting food (as I once had) I would know when she had forgotten about stuff and ask if I could use it up, which she was pleased when I did!

    Also eggs never go off when their sell by date says, they usually last for aaaggges!! lol

    [Reply]

    October 5th, 2012 at 1:53
  • Naz says:

    I feel like I’ve been living this way since I moved to the States. I find it increasingly hard to buy things because I keep thinking what will I do with this stuff when it comes time to leaving. It’s hard being in a place where you don’t know exactly how long you’ll be there for but at the same time you still have to live.

    I pretty much have all my essentials now and in terms of things like clothing, makeup etc well since everything is so much cheaper here than in Aus it’s hard to step away but again I stop myself because well… I don’t NEED that extra pair of shoes or the latest face cream. I buy as you do Sarah, when I run out.

    And if I really want something then as Kate says above I save for the best of something.

    So even though I’m not in Aus I will still aim to participate in this challenge!

    [Reply]

    October 5th, 2012 at 3:23
  • alison says:

    Hi Sarah

    I wholeheartedly agree with you and agree that lowering consumption actually makes you happier.

    A friend an I went without anything new for 6 months, and it was liberating. Have been thinking it’s time to get back on the wagon and this post has convinced me.

    Thanks for the reminder.

    Alison

    [Reply]

    October 5th, 2012 at 8:07
  • Kate says:

    I know these involve buying but they are a great idea for not having to buy zip lock bags:

    http://www.thekitchn.com/15-reusable-washable-sandwich-bags-product-roundup-177314

    [Reply]

    October 5th, 2012 at 10:52
  • Mel says:

    I’m not sure if anyone has mentioned this before but the biggest food wasteage I used to have was vegetables going off, forgotten or squashed in the bottom draw. The top shelf in our fridge is now plastic containers of different sizes for veggies. They are the first thing you see when you open the door, they stay fresher and now we never waste anything. I’ve found this method really good.

    [Reply]

    Ange Reply:

    Me too Mel, and my veg purchased from the local farmers Markets (southside markets in Canberra) lasts 2-3 weeks all containerised, unlike soggy grocery veg which is mouldy in a few days. I like to know that the people I’m buying my veg off grow it too. Ditto meat, fish and eggs (oh and the eggs are fabulous!!!!)
    I have a bunch of gorgeous friends and we swap things that we don’t need, I swapped a huge cast iron casserole dish (I am single and you could cook for 10 in it) for a couple of those funky (but expensive) tupperware vege storers for the fridge. She’s stoked as she can now do big family cook ups, I have reclaimed space in my cupboard and no longer lament an expensive impulse purchase that I never used and I have scored some tupepeware that I needed and use daily, without forking out. We do the same with our clothes or after any type of cleanout. I got a free little analogue TV and relatively new expensive Sony DVD player from work as they were tossing them out after upgrading. I don’t have a big lounge room TV (I’m studying and my junk TV addiction was interfering with my sleep), but it’s a nice indulgence to hook up the TV every now and then to spend the weekend watching DVD’s or a TV series that I’ve missed. And it was all free – awesome!!
    I also have a friend that is an excellent seamstress. So often I’ll buy a full price dress or skirt and if the pattern really suits me I’ll ask her to whip me up a couple in different fabrics. (or from op shop clothes with funky patterns but horrid cuts that we pull apart). I repay her by cooking us all dinner or giving her some seedlings for her garden.

    [Reply]

    UK Reply:

    That sounds so cool, thank you for the tips! (I would like a seamstress friend!)

    [Reply]

    October 5th, 2012 at 12:09
  • Wendalls says:

    Don’t forget the library for books and magazines :)

    [Reply]

    October 5th, 2012 at 12:09
  • Kayla says:

    I’ve been on a ‘buy nothing new challenge’ for this entire year and the longer it goes on the easier and more enjoyable I find it. I have saved a lot money, have learnt to make new outfits from clothes I already have just by putting in a bit of extra effort and creativity and have found heaps of amazing and cheap garments from Op shops and markets. It’s so satisfying to get a compliment on a $6 second hand dress! I always tell people where I get my clothes from in the hope they get inspired to do the same. My main motivation to take on this challenge was to live a more sustainable, enviro-friendly lifestyle and the benefits just keep coming. I’m also using the library much more now rather than buying cheap books online or at discount stores. I look forward to my monthly trip there to get some new books and magazines, have a chat with the librarians and check the local noticeboards. I doubt I’ll go back to my old ways of mindless spending.

    [Reply]

    October 5th, 2012 at 14:20
  • Jack says:

    * Eat nothing in a packet: So says Eric Bana, another BNN ambassador. It’s the simplest motto for good eating, too. And for losing weight. Kill many birds with the same rock!

    I absolutely love that! I am involved in the fitness industry and people always ask me what should and shouldn’t I eat and I always say the easiest principle of food is if it comes in a packet or has a food label it’s not food.

    [Reply]

    October 5th, 2012 at 15:23
  • [...] Challenge: Not buying anything for a month by Sarah Wilson [...]

    October 5th, 2012 at 15:46
  • sarah says:

    Yay, I found a blogger who did this challenge last year and I knew I’d want to participate one day. I actually thought about this at the beginning of October and was going to google to see if it was happening again this year, then I found your blog post. I signed up straight away. I am so motivated, and quietly glad thrifting is still ok.

    [Reply]

    October 5th, 2012 at 19:19
  • Sarah some fabulous tips there and great advice for all. We have been lowering waste in our house and only major shop once a week and cook what is seasonal and fresh. Must admit I have had the odd purchase over the years from Blue Spinach as I just lived up the road……not fortunate enough to snag a pair of Laboutin’s though!
    Carla x

    [Reply]

    October 5th, 2012 at 20:17
  • Natalya says:

    .Bookcrossing is a wonderful and whimsical way to get rid of ( and source) a good read. Think of it as giving your old books a holiday! Here’s a copy and paste from the WIki page- .

    BookCrossing (also BC, BCing or BXing) is defined as “the practice of leaving a book in a public place to be picked up and read by others, who then do likewise.” The term is derived from bookcrossing.com, a free online book club which was founded to encourage the practice, aiming to “make the whole world a library.”

    The ‘crossing’ or exchanging of books may take any of a number of forms, including wild-releasing books in public, direct swaps with other members of the websites, or “book rings” in which books travel in a set order to participants who want to read a certain book. The community aspect of BookCrossing.com has grown and expanded in ways that were not expected at the outset, in the form of blog or forum discussions, mailing lists and annual conventions throughout the world.
    . Happy ( and sustainable) reading!

    [Reply]

    October 5th, 2012 at 22:36
  • amber says:

    As a retailer who employs 8 gorgeous staff I implore you to not stop shopping as things are really tough at the moment but maybe think twice before that impulse purchase.

    Support local shops rather than cruising the web( and spending more time behind a computer) as there is nothing nicer than popping down to the local shop on a Saturday morning and being inspired by ever changing displays and product. I think you’ll find most small business owners are more than happy for you to get ideas from them and use things you already have to recreate a look. And I think you’ll find they are a great source of information on whats great locally. When the next school fete is on, best place for a coffee, where charity bins are located which leads me to my next suggestion…

    Maybe donate something to charity every time you buy or receive something new? With Christmas fast approaching its a great time to boost the inventory of your local St Vinnies.

    x

    [Reply]

    October 6th, 2012 at 9:02
  • Ana says:

    Are those “ease-in” tips or tips for those who are doing it fully?

    I don’t see them working as anything but the former, and even then… a bit too much of ‘buy… buy… buy…’ when the article started by stating we can only declutter by not cluttering further.

    Second-hand, yes, but still clutter.

    [Reply]

    October 8th, 2012 at 9:31
  • You know, I’m in 2 minds about this one. I think if you earn good money, you have a responsibility to the economy. I’m lucky enough to be self employed DINK and yesterday I blew $500 on new clothes at Lorna Jane.

    If I don’t shop, people don’t have businesses, your teenage kids don’t get that part time job that we all did in the 80′s (me anyway). I also give a sizeable chunk of money to charity each month, mainly 3rd world countries and for kids who can’t get food, water or an education.

    I’m in retail too, and if people stop spending with me, there’s a few people out of work, me included. I think going in to debt and buying things you don’t really need is silly, and I don’t get sucked in to sales for the fun of it.

    You know what I think the biggest burdern on all this is, Christmas. It’s an overly commercial obligation for people to spend money they don’t have so as not to offend people (for the most part). I have bowed out of Christmas and I buy my family goats for third world countries and deposit money in to Kiva accounts for microlending instead.

    Any other http://www.kiva.org users here? Lending $25 to a goat farmer in a 3rd world country makes you feel a little warm inside.

    [Reply]

    Natalya Reply:

    I think that the ‘BuyNothingNew’ philosophy is for people from any socio economic strata. The idea that working members of the community , and by extension, cashed up members of our communities are somewhow more entitled isn’t really in keeping with the community minded thinking of BuyNothingMonth,
    Copy and pasted from the BuyNothingNew Australian website ->
    Buy Nothing New Month isn’t Buy Nothing New Never. Nor is it about going without.

    It’s literally about taking one month off to really think, “Do I really need it?” If I do, “can I get it second-hand, borrow it or rent it? What are my alternatives? Can I borrow from a friend? Can I swap with my neighbor?”

    It’s about thinking where our stuff comes from (finite resources) and where it goes when we’re done (often landfill) and what are the fantastic alternatives out there to extend the life of our ‘stuff’.

    It’s easy. It’s fun. It’s moving from consumption-driven to community-driven.

    [Reply]

    October 8th, 2012 at 9:41
  • [...] Take up the challenge and get back to us with your stories by October 19 (Check out Sarah Wilson’s 20 tips for buying nothing new) [...]

    October 8th, 2012 at 15:50
  • Nicole says:

    Boy I wish I saw this before I moved into college.
    My roommates and I started off the school year with a bang and online-shopped our way into materialistic oblivion. I now have a lot less money in my checking account all because of a few pairs of jeans and a sweater or two. I far too often fall into the sale trap, where I buy things I don’t need just because they’re marked down. I really need to try hard to not buy anything new since I don’t have a steady source of income right now. Also, I can shift that focus to school and hopefully excel in my classes. Thank you Sarah! This is exactly what I needed to read!

    [Reply]

    October 9th, 2012 at 5:10
  • Natalya says:

    Oops, typo in previous post. Line 5 should have read BuyNOthingNew month instead of BuyNothingMonth.

    [Reply]

    October 9th, 2012 at 11:18
  • Jen says:

    I bought no new clothing for a year and while at times it was difficult and frustrating, I came out of it with a better idea of my personal style, and an appreciation for simplicity and quality. It’d be interesting to go without absolutely any new things for an month!

    [Reply]

    October 10th, 2012 at 7:31
  • Emmica says:

    I love this initiative! Although I’m an avid second hand shopper, since living in Sydney I have definitely bought more new clothes than ever before. This will be a great exercise to get me back into my old rhythm! I’ve started writing about it here: http://bit.ly/QLUdZK : )

    [Reply]

    October 10th, 2012 at 10:22
  • Emmica says:

    Oops me webpage didn’t enter correctly, here I am again : )

    [Reply]

    October 10th, 2012 at 10:23
  • Hi

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    [Reply]

    October 11th, 2012 at 20:54
  • Munna says:

    Hi

    we have PowerMta Video tutorial in this we cover these topics

    The topics which we covered in this video tutorial
    • Introduction of Power MTA
    • Installing PowerMTA
    • License Activation
    • Installing and configuring DNS
    • Features of PowerMTA
    • Configuring Virtual-MTA
    • Max-message-rate
    • Max-message-per-connection
    • Define bounce after
    • Define Retry Domain on particular time period
    • Giving access on web for monitoring purpose
    • Define HTTP management Port
    • Configure SMTP username and password
    • Configure SMTP port
    • Increase PowerMTA queues
    • Reload PowerMTA configuration file
    • How to debug PowerMTA
    • Generate SPF and DKIM
    • Publish SPF and DKIM on DNS
    • Define DKIM on PowerMTA
    • How to connect Interspire applications or other application
    • Start, Pause and delete queue on PowerMTA
    • Delete particular queue on PowerMTA
    • Checking powerMTA log
    • How to check IP and Domain blacklist
    • Delist your IP And domain

    for more info mail me: smshesms@gmail.com

    [Reply]

    October 12th, 2012 at 18:08
  • One of our own has been blogging on Buy Nothing New month as well and found some pretty awesome lessons. http://bit.ly/PyBG6c

    It’s a great cause , hope we see this turn into something big one day.

    [Reply]

    October 22nd, 2012 at 16:35
  • [...] I read this article about not buying anything new for a month as a way to cut down on waste. Clearly, I have enough [...]

    October 26th, 2012 at 13:04
  • [...] For Quality To Turn Up In Your Life’  here, and taking a moment with Sarah Wilson who inspires in this space. [...]

    November 15th, 2012 at 11:58
  • wellness says:

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    [Reply]

    April 9th, 2013 at 20:50
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    April 14th, 2013 at 11:33
  • turmeric says:

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    [Reply]

    April 24th, 2013 at 7:26
  • Hey! This post couldn’t be written any better! Reading through this post reminds me of my good old room mate! He always kept chatting about this. I will forward this write-up to him. Fairly certain he will have a good read. Thank you for sharing!

    [Reply]

    April 24th, 2013 at 17:46
  • I can understand your confusion so let me explain
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