I recently went through Stage 2: Anger. Suddenly I was reminded of all the things I want to buy, whether I 'need' them (new trainers, more socks) or not (vintage summer dresses despite the fact that it's currently winter - I blame the likes of Strawberry Koi and other lovely vintage bloggers!). Plus, I have two birthday presents to buy - one for my brother Mont, the other for Pat. Both want gadget-y things for their computers, which I may or may not be able to find secondhand.
I seem to have arrived at Stage 3: Bargaining, and, in the interest of preserving my sanity, I have declared this a Compacting July, whereby I abstain from buying anything new and/or unnecessary. So food-type groceries are allowed, as are a present each for Pat and Mont, and if Baboushka has one of her radioactive growth-spurts I'll source baby clothes from the op-shop.
No-Buy July has not been all denial and crankyness, however; I have banned myself from a purchasing a number of things, like takeaway coffees and food in packets like oats and rice, and I will continue my prohibition of these items even after July is over. We're lucky to have a local shop where we can buy things like pulses, nuts and cereals by weight and bring them home in our own containers (we use the giant glass jars of artichoke hearts we get from the same shop), and there's a co-op at the university that does this as well.
It's so much nicer to shop at these places than at Coles or Woolies, as well. Last week I had a great conversation at the nut shop with a guy who'd studied French at Berkeley - he wanted to know if I thought wearing hats would make him look 'rakish' - and the ladies who work there are quite enamoured of Baboushka. Plus, they stock Samir's falafel and sahlep. I love Samir's!
7 comments:
Ooh I'm glad you've joined in! Don't worry about your op shop buying frenzy - I had a moment of insanity today and bought a lotto ticket, forgetting about Buy Nothing July. It's funny that it's so hard to obey our own rules!? Good luck, I think it's going to be worth the pain!
I am actually constantly congratulating myself that We're obviously not completely addicted to consumption, because we're managing okay. It's crazy though, that we've had 2 mobile phones die during Buy Nothing July, and now my new (but old) replacement found in a cupboard at home is also dying... and we can't replace them! Murphy's Law.
There are a few other stories of my Buy Nothing July experiences on my blog.
that store seems so nice! i'd definately shop there too if I lived where you live! The buy nothing july seems like such a good idea, maybe I'll join in in august:)
by the way, how did the hair cut come out?
@Eco-Chic-Mummy: I've been keeping up with your stories (and wishing I had your patience)!
Funny, the day you wrote about Mr Eco needing a new pair of trainers was the day I had just realised I'll have to wait until August to replace my own 5-year-old, disintegrating pair ;-)
@Alli: Oh yeah, the hair! I chickened out and just got a trim. Maybe I'll go back for a bob/crop in a few months...
And the co-ops are great, I hope we'll be able to find similar stores when we move overseas! Are they easy to find in Norway?
Oh yes, I was wondering about the hair too! Maybe you could save the Mia chop for spring/summer, then it 'll be like a fresh new start :) xxx
PS Good going on the Buy Nothing July! I really should join in......
@MLF: I'm thinking of shaving off my mop for The World's Greatest Shave next March, so I may try about 5 different haircuts before then for fun! My cousin's girlfriend is a hairdresser and does mine on the cheap, thank goodness..
Oooh, brave! Pity it's not until March, 'cos that'd be so easy and fun for summer! xxx
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