NOT BUYING IT! 2015 - A consumer holiday

vulpix

Vexing I just lost a big post.On the topic of the climbers which I am totally going to steal by the way.2 tyres could be deep enough and you could ask on freecycle and fb for them.
agnesjr I also frequent the make do,mend and minimise thread.I stalked them for a long time before I joined in.They chat about everything,I always feel a bit guilty if I get off the NBI topic too much here.
Spend ,spend ,spend here,just call me Viv Nichols.Been to a car boot and bought a massive planter which now has DD2's Mothers rose in it and a watercolour and a little spode bowl.
Sold some big things on eeeeebay today so alls good there.Vx

Bathory

I meant to mention from my last post a couple of things that have been giving me a sense of calm lately.

There is a warbling birdie who sings in the evenings. I think its a blackbird. It is so enchanting that I will sit with the window open for ages to listen to him/her.

On my route to work there is a large cherry blossom tree groaning with the weight of all the pink blooms that are currently displayed on it. I stand underneath it for a minute and look up. Its like gazing up into a fluttery pink cloud and thrills me more than any consumerism could ever do . I have always loved trees (along with starry night skies). Two of my favourite ones are nowhere near me but I make sure I visit them when I'm down in Somerset. They are called Gog and Magog, a pair of ancient oaks that are sadly dying and they live near Glastonbury Tor.

I have to admit that I suffer quite acutely from social anxiety which I've wrestled with all my life. Often I get frightened to leave the house and have no idea why. Anyway, this weekend I made an effort to say good morning to some neighbours who in return completely blanked me with their nose up in the air. I feel I have more connection with the blackbird and cherry blossom than with some people round here (although we do have some nice folk as well).

katsu

I'm finding Marie Kondo fits well with NBI. I'm increasingly mindful about purchases and have accepted that I own too much stuff! I'm finding the idea of only buying things I love helpful in leaving things in the shops and I'm spending much less time browsing charity shops. I still love to browse but I'm trying to think harder about whether I need what I find!

I've got some good things to save for and I really want a less cluttered house so I hope I'm turning over a new leaf and become a person who buys less!

I bought a bottle of facial cleanser this week and was thinking seriously about it as whilst less then half price was a great deal, I'd already walked out of the shop once telling myself I still have half a bottle left! Trying to balance money saving with deciding if I really need to buy things still takes work for me.

Lynplatinum

Ahoy shipmates

I have just had a lovely free weekend near the sea - long explanation on the MM&M thread (sorry newbies - Make Do and Mend thread) !! that is the thread I would recommend as well as this one agnesjr. Basically good deeds returned x 1,000.

emslovesmicky - chill ! I just get the feeling that you are getting v stressed over the spending thing.(hope Im not poking my nose in here :-) I was getting like this over my entertainment budget. I found the thing is to be economical where you can be and then work out exactly how much you have spent. Then you will know how much you have to 'pay yourself back' over the next few months by being economical in those areas where you can be. Also priase yourself for at least realsing that you are over spending instead of seeing this behaviour as 'normal' or 'your right - after all everyone else does it!' (only cos they have not listened to our Martin :money:)

Bathory - I too love blossom and nature - I had such a fun time for several hours this weekend just watching my friends' dog chase a ball on the beach! its such a blessing to really enjoy the simple things :j

I m NBI this week by baking the nibbles to go with refreshments for my writers group that are coming round on Wed evening - breadsticks and spiced nuts (nuts and spices already on stock) and little sweet Italian biscuits. am buying wine from L!dil but cant get anything more reasonable any cheaper!! But I have been round to their houses - and been given wine etc so now its my turn.
more tomorrow. take care folks

vulpix

Mornin!
Bathroy,chin up with the neighbours.My neighbours both sides hardly speak,one of the reasons I am moving.Since I have packed work in I am lonely here,never see or speak to a soul for months on end.(I mean on the road)The slightly more sociable one popped his head over the fence when I was pegging washing out the other day.I told him that we were moving and he said whats the matter don't you like people keeping theirselves to theirselves?That bothered me for ages but I will get over it.Stupd thing to say,how can you answer it.Agree with blossom and blackbirds,I have Mr and Mrs in my garden,they are so busy all day long,I will miss them.
Made an overpayment of £200 on the mortgage last night.Every little helps.Vx

emslovesmickey

Bathory - I know exactly what you mean. I have social anxiety too and it's so hard sometimes to step out of the door. Believe it or not I've worked in a bookies for the last 13 years (spent the first couple of months not being able to talk to anybody there) and the regulars in my first shop helped bring me out of my shell a bit. I still get panic attacks on the way to work, especially in the summer season when there are less regulars and more strangers in my shop, but behind the counter is a bit like a safe haven for me and I feel a bit more confident when I'm there.

LynPlatinum you're right I should chill! I didn't have a particular budget for things this year, had my tasks instead so in a way I've done what you said and rebalanced it. I'm hoping to finish another task soon cos I really want to get some writing books to help hone my skills.

[Deleted User]

Re the tyres for the garden,ask in a local tyre shop as they have to pay someone to take them away,tell them you want them for the garden you may be lucky and get a couple.My neighbour needed several as she wanted to pile them on top of each other to make a sort of tower which she then filled with enough compost and grew a 'barrel' of potatoes in a very small space.Great idea if your stuck for space in your garden.She wanted her little girl to see how she could grow things to eat, and Layla bless her was so excited when her Mum let her dig out some spuds last year.I was hanging out my washing and she came hurtling up her garden yelling they've growed,they've growed Jackie.Her little face was glowing, and so proud of the result as she had looked after them for her Mum.
She starts school in September and I shall miss her cheery shouts with her little sister in the garden next door. They are a lovely young couple and with their two little girls remind me of myself over 40 years ago :):),broke but happy.

Well I'm not buying anything today ,although I have to pop into the disabilty shop to see how much my chair will cost to be repaired as the spring on the lever of my relaxer chair went 'ping' last night.Got to be cheaper than buying a new chair as they are around £6-700 to buy new,and I've only had this chair for about 8 years, a mere stripling compared to my sofa which was bought in 1977 :):) and still going strong.
hang on to your ha'pennies this week chums
JackieO xxx

vodkawitch1

Hi Everyone
I am still NBI and keeping a tight reign on the purse strings. Had a busy few weeks with family stuff but have still been reading the thread. Helps me enormously from being tempted, especially with online shopping. It is too darn easy to just order `stuff`.
Managed to nap myself a £25 waitrose voucher on twitter so that when on the food. Nicely stocked fridge and few freezer bits.
Hope everyone has a nice frugal week.

agnesjr

Vulpix.....thank you....will take a look at make do and mend page too.

Like the idea of growing things 'up ' to hide posts etc. If edible, then a double whammy. Lovely idea. Ta ta.

[Deleted User]

Just checking in to this thread as it has been a couple of months!

Still doing quite well with the whole Not Buying It, but have had a few slip-ups, including a garden table and chairs (it's not even sunny yet!) and the occasional splurge on treats in the local shop (must leave purse at home!).
I have however managed to sell practically all of my household contents to make some money and live a much simpler life! I keep finding stuff to sell, it's so addictive! This helps stop me buying lots more other rubbish and stuff I really don't need, like new clothes, ornaments etc. I like the clean and tidy look now.
We too are having very strange meal concoptions this week as we use stuff up and save money on this week's shopping!