Buy Nothing January Support Thread

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I admire you for doing this. I read on FB a post about a year of buying no jewelry, handbags, or clothes. I'm considering that for this year. It also wipes out buying gifts for others, which I really enjoy, so I am sure I'll keep on doing that part.
Loving your follow-up to all of this.
There is something sickening about the excess of Christmas to me.

Hi OP and PP, good work! I am also trying something similar to the above. Also just still reeling from Christmas excess. Really, I am modeling on the Patchett article that came out a couple weeks ago: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/15/opinion/sunday/shopping-consumerism.html?_r=0

This part really resonated with me, the loss of time and sort of self-medicated aspect of internet shopping:

At the end of 2016, our country had swung in the direction of gold leaf, an ecstatic celebration of unfeeling billionaire-dom that kept me up at night. I couldn’t settle down to read or write, and in my anxiety I found myself mindlessly scrolling through two particular shopping websites, numbing my fears with pictures of shoes, clothes, purses and jewelry.
...
Not shopping saves an astonishing amount of time. In October, I interviewed Tom Hanks about his collection of short stories in front of 1,700 people in a Washington theater. Previously, I would have believed that such an occasion demanded a new dress and lost two days of my life looking for one. In fact, Tom Hanks had never seen any of my dresses, nor had the people in the audience. I went to my closet, picked out something weather appropriate and stuck it in my suitcase. Done.

GL, all!

DH and I significantly cut back on our spending for Obama's 8 years. We did not agree with his plan to change this country towards more expecations of the government to take care of its citizens. ... free college, free health care, protecting illegal immirgants. DH and I feel free to spend now that our country is back in the right direction.
We bought a Tesla - replacing my 13 year old car, will spend $70K redoing our bathrooms and chose to vacation in the US instead of abroad.

The Guggenheim has a certain fixture that may be appropriate for your shiny new bathroom.

[Anonymous]

The end of Buy Nothing January!

OP here once again and for the last time.

As I already noted, I *did* buy a few things thins month. But I did *not* buy a ton of things that I really felt I wanted or needed. Some of them I managed to find another way to get. ALL of the things I ended up buying were for my kids, but they have significantly reduced the amount of things they are asking me to buy.

I do desperately need some new underwear, so I am planning on buying those Feb 1. But immediately thereafter, I plan to have a Buy Nothing February.

I was able to make a $1000 payment to my credit card bill, and hope to do the same next month.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The end of Buy Nothing January!

OP here once again and for the last time.

As I already noted, I *did* buy a few things thins month. But I did *not* buy a ton of things that I really felt I wanted or needed. Some of them I managed to find another way to get. ALL of the things I ended up buying were for my kids, but they have significantly reduced the amount of things they are asking me to buy.

I do desperately need some new underwear, so I am planning on buying those Feb 1. But immediately thereafter, I plan to have a Buy Nothing February.

I was able to make a $1000 payment to my credit card bill, and hope to do the same next month.

OP, will you start a Frugal February thread?

[Anonymous]

Great job, Op!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
OP, will you start a Frugal February thread?

I don't know, it seems pretty boring. "Bought nothing again".

I do like getting ideas from others about how to get things for free.

Oh, I started a "Buy Nothing Facebook Group" for my town.

https://buynothingproject.org/find-a-group/

It's only got a few members so far but I'm hoping it will grow.

[Anonymous]

Great job, OP
For underwear - check Costco.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Great job, OP
For underwear - check Costco.

Are they giving away free underwear??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Great job, OP
For underwear - check Costco.

Are they giving away free underwear??

Plain cotton, good quality 9.99 for 6. Almost free, yeah.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Great job, OP
For underwear - check Costco.

Are they giving away free underwear??

Plain cotton, good quality 9.99 for 6. Almost free, yeah.

THAT'S IN MY BUDGET!!!

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I like the idea of a frugal February thread - do it! There are dumber threads out there.

Plus it's encouraging to other people. And people can post questions, or ideas, or suggestions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
OP, will you start a Frugal February thread?

I don't know, it seems pretty boring. "Bought nothing again".

I do like getting ideas from others about how to get things for free.

Oh, I started a "Buy Nothing Facebook Group" for my town.

https://buynothingproject.org/find-a-group/

It's only got a few members so far but I'm hoping it will grow.

Please do a February thread, OP. I've been following along and I don't find it boring at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some fire depts offer free or reduced priced smoke alarms

Perfect! Thanks, I called them today and they will bring me a free one!

Is the purpose of Buy Nothing January to freeload off taxpayers?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some fire depts offer free or reduced priced smoke alarms

Perfect! Thanks, I called them today and they will bring me a free one!

Is the purpose of Buy Nothing January to freeload off taxpayers?

Hey, *I* am a taxpayer. I can avail myself of things offered (at no cost) to residents, such as public schools, community centers, libraries, and such, including home inspections by the fire department, and installation of compliant smoke detectors, if they are offering such things.


http://insidemc.montgomerycollege.edu/details.php?id=85196

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service is offering free home safety inspections and installation of Maryland State Law compliant smoke detectors to all Montgomery County residents. Visit http://www.mcfrs.org/mcsafe for more information.

[Anonymous]

https://www.fairfaxva.gov/government/code-administration/fire-life-safety-education/smoke-detectors/free-smoke-detectors

The City of Fairfax Fire Department will provide free battery powered smoke alarms (smoke detectors) to any City of Fairfax resident and will install them in your home at no cost! Free smoke alarm batteries also are available upon request.

[Anonymous]

I like the idea of frugal February too!

Have got to save money so we aren't a tax payer burden, haters.