Buy Nothing January Support Thread

[Anonymous]

Oh, now I have bags of Christmas presents from family and friends which I don't need and don't want, because the house is too small and I have to throw out perfectly good items, which mostly ends up in the landfill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh, now I have bags of Christmas presents from family and friends which I don't need and don't want, because the house is too small and I have to throw out perfectly good items, which mostly ends up in the landfill.

Why wouldn't you donate to Goodwill instead?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Spent $23 in Ikea today. $10 for a down pillow, had to have it.
DH (we have common-law marriage and keep money and expenses separate) filled my car tank and paid for it. He uses my car more often than I use his. Cost him $30 to fill it up. I think I'm +$7 for now.

Hmmm... Are you trying to participate in the Buy Nothing January Challenge? If so... what did you buy at Ikea besides the down pillow that you determined was a necessity? And why was the pillow a necessity?

I'm not questioning why you bought the pillow, anyone can buy anything they want, fine with me. But you are posting on the "Buy Nothing" thread... so how was spending $23 "buying nothing"? Did you try any other options first? Any alternatives to buying what you bought?

As for your common law husband filling "your" gas tank -- that was really nice of him! But, if he is using your car, isn't he just paying for "his" own gas by filling it up? You seem to be counting the $30 tank as "income" which offsets your $23 Ikea expense. (Will he get to share your pillow??)

[Anonymous]

OP Here. Day 3 of Buy Nothing January was pretty boring too. I didn't buy any items, but I did pay for a field trip.

1) Snacks -- didn't buy

I managed to avoid the soda/snack machine at work (a habit I'd like to get rid of for health reasons as well) despite temptation. I remembered to pack a lunch. It would help to bring a water bottle to work.

2) Sneakers -- didn't immediately buy (or promise to go shopping)

Last night, daughter asked me to buy her new sneakers. Her old ones (bought last June) still fit and look fine, but she says they are slipping when she runs. I am willing to spend money on necessary clothes but don't think this is a necessity just yet. For one thing, I *did* buy her new, more fashionable (in her eyes) sneakers for back to school, but she says now that they aren't comfortable (something she knew in September, she just wanted them anyhow and swore they'd be practical). Her feet haven't grown since then as both shoes still fit. So I am trying to address her complaint that they slip. I cleaned the soles with soap, scuffed the soles up with some sandpaper, and asked a neighbor for a little bit of hairspray which I read online might help give them a little more traction. We'll see. I'd like to wait to buy her new sneakers until Frugal February rolls around (she might be ready for the next size up, and I might have a little more time to shop some sales.)

3) Potholders -- didn't immediately order

I realized I desperately need new potholders in the kitchen. Using towels at the moment. I think I need to declutter the kitchen more to see what else I have stored away that I am not using that I could be.

Correction to the preceding: I realized that I desperately need potholders. They do not need to be new!

4) Field Trip -- did pay for

My daughter had an optional (expensive for our family) field trip come up unexpectedly today. I had forgotten to budget for it, but I did tell her earlier that she could go. We do have the money to pay for it, so I was able to give it to her to pay for the trip.

[Anonymous]

Great job, OP!

Potholders- do you have a sawing machine? They are quite easy to DIY from old jeans (with 2 growing kids you probably have some old ones you can re-purpose). Check pinterest for ideas

[Anonymous]

I do have a sewing machine (present), but never learned how to use it! Might be time for a new skill.

[Anonymous]

Broke down and bought cava tonight

DAMNIT

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Broke down and bought cava tonight

DAMNIT

This is a takeout meal, PP? What could you put in place in your kitchen to make it less tempting to order (if you don't want to)

I read about someone who always kept a few hardboiled eggs and prewashed salad greens handy for simple salads when she was too tired to think of anything else (but didn't want to order takeout).

[Anonymous]

Day 4 of the Buy Nothing January Challenge:

Snow day, home with the kids. Easy to not spend money, but this is the kind of day I spend looking around the house, noticing things I need, and then ordering them online! So need to be aware of that and not let it happen.

[Anonymous]

I just put a bunch of things in my shopping cart but didn't purchase any of it. Shopping without spending.

[Anonymous]

Total fail. Bought $400 worth of shelves for the basement since I’m trying to get it fonished before my kids birthday in February.

[Anonymous]

I bought something for my kid. On amazon. I admit it!!!

And OP - you have me thinking I need to replace my non-stick pan that is also chipping. UGH

Its ONLY the fourth of January -- I can do better.....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Total fail. Bought $400 worth of shelves for the basement since I’m trying to get it fonished before my kids birthday in February.

Well that sounds legit - if you actually get it organized. I bought shelves like 2 years ago to organize my basement and well, they are still in the packaging.

[Anonymous]

I deeply admire the desire to do this, contemplate it regularly, and participate occasionally. I generally save the no buy for Lent. Or after MLK day. Too many good bargains right now, so if I buy what I want (not need!) that's deeply discounted these next two weeks, I'll head into mid January ready to live frugally.

Last night I ordered some clothes from a site having a 60% off flash sale (but got a notice this morning that half of what i ordered wasn't available, so win?). I also ordered some perfume I've wanted for a couple of years that I haven't gotten that was half price, too.

I'm contemplating some goblets from Williams Sonoma, half price. Don't need but they would be so pretty at all the dinner parties we never have.

And, I'm desperate for some speciality tea. Usually you can buy Twinings Christmas Tea at any grocery store, but I never found it this year, so now I'm going to order it online.

I was sick at Christmas and the entire week after so didn't hit any in person sales, so not feeling too bad. I also have some gift cards - Amazon, Old Navy, LOFT, Talbots. So a bit of shopping in my future.

But I salute you OP and everyone else! I will be joining you shortly, just need to get a little Veruca out of my system first.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I deeply admire the desire to do this, contemplate it regularly, and participate occasionally. I generally save the no buy for Lent. Or after MLK day. Too many good bargains right now, so if I buy what I want (not need!) that's deeply discounted these next two weeks, I'll head into mid January ready to live frugally.

Last night I ordered some clothes from a site having a 60% off flash sale (but got a notice this morning that half of what i ordered wasn't available, so win?). I also ordered some perfume I've wanted for a couple of years that I haven't gotten that was half price, too.

I'm contemplating some goblets from Williams Sonoma, half price. Don't need but they would be so pretty at all the dinner parties we never have.

And, I'm desperate for some speciality tea. Usually you can buy Twinings Christmas Tea at any grocery store, but I never found it this year, so now I'm going to order it online.

I was sick at Christmas and the entire week after so didn't hit any in person sales, so not feeling too bad. I also have some gift cards - Amazon, Old Navy, LOFT, Talbots. So a bit of shopping in my future.

But I salute you OP and everyone else! I will be joining you shortly, just need to get a little Veruca out of my system first.

You can find goblets galore at thrift stores. Also, serving dishes, great mugs, the list goes on.

I recently bought an original watercolor at Value Village because I liked it. I google'd the artist's name when I got home and some of her work is going for hundreds on eBay.

I framed mine in a thrift store frame and hung it in the living room. Total cost: $10.99 for art and frame.

If you must shop, thrifting is the way to go. You fulfill that primal need to gather without breaking the bank.