Buy Nothing New Month - how I went.

Buy nothing new month finished about a week ago. To tell the truth, most of the time I sort of forgot that it was happening.. until I was tempted, and then a some little remembering part of my mind would give me a prod. But that wasn't often. I think I only bought one thing new (apart from the first day when I went to Spotlight :P), which were dowel rods for lanterns we were making.. cos I couldn't think of where to scrounge anything else that would work as well!
So I've proved to myself that I don't actually buy much new stuff.. however I think it did also show that buying nothing new doesn't mean not indulging! I could still buy edible items and shop in op-shops, which are probably my main weaknesses!!
I think it was good just to take a step back, think about how I spend and what I spend on, etc. I think the best guide for me in general though is the old 'don't buy things you don't need'. So I'll try to stick with that.

:)

Buy Nothing New Month. Day 1: Fail.

There's been an event floating around facebook lately publicising Buy Nothing New Month. A month (October) in which, as you will have already gathered, you're not meant to buy anything new (apart from food, and really really essential things). You can buy secondhand stuff. You can beg borrow barter or steal (maybe not the last), but just not. anything. new.

It's all about "taking October to reassess what we really need, think about where the stuff we buy comes from (finite resources), where it goes (landfill), and what our alternatives are." [http://www.buynothingnew.com.au/]

And I thought - sure, that shouldn't be hard. I don't buy much stuff new anyway. And then a few days later I thought "I really must buy some sunnies before the month starts, because I haven't had a functioning pair for ages.." Wait a second. Maybe I do buy more stuff than I think!

Then today was the confirmation. I nearly forgot October began today, but my dear sister reminded me so I'd have no excuse.
First mistake:
Accompanying my mother on her trip to Spotlight.
Second:
Bringing my wallet.
Third:
Well, I ummed and ahhed and dithered and argued with myself...... and finally cracked.

I attempted to rationalise it, as they're all for stuff for other people.. but it's still a fail.

I have decided to begin the month tomorrow. And I am determined to do better than I did today!! I think it'll be really good just to see how many times I do want to buy things, and be a bit more resourceful in how I react to that.

Wish me luck.

p.s. I also feel this is a good opportunity to take up dumpster diving again :)