Not Buying It 2019/20 - consumer holiday!

PipneyJane

Happy_One wrote: »

Hi PipneyJane. Like you I’m a book and yarn gal. But these days I go through my stash before I buy any yarn, and all my books come from the charity shops. Last week I found a pile of the very expensive knitting magazines in a local charity shop, no price on them just a small donation asked for so I came home with a good few for some money in the collecting tin. It never bothers me that they are not brand new from the newsagents.

Lucky you!

Ditto re knitting patterns. Most of the things I knit are from patterns published decades ago - have you seen Trove? It's an online resource from the Australian National Library - they're digitising and cataloguing all old Australian newspapers and magazines and then publishing them online. Thanks to Trove, I'm currently knitting a jumper from a pattern that was published in the Australian Women's Weekly in 1942: Hand-knit Charm.



- Pip

trailingspouse

This sounds a fab idea. Trouble is, I've already had a no-spend 2019 as far as clothes are concerned!!



My favourite skinny jeans are on the point of giving out, my handbag is a disgrace - and today the underwire in my #1 bra decided to make a bid for freedom. So - I'm going to have to spend some money.



On the plus side, my smart winter coat is still good, ditto my long boots. My ankle boots will make it through another winter, the running repairs I did to my trainers are holding (superglue is wonderful stuff...) and I wear a uniform for work now so I no longer need to have an endless supply of smart clothes in my wardrobe.



All the best with this challenge, but I won't be able to join you I'm afraid.
xx

Happy_One

I I’ve had a ‘no spend’ weekend Did a quick top up shop on Friday, bread, salad etc. though didn’t buy anything I didn’t need. So only spent 50p all weekend for my cuppa at ‘Crafty Getogether’ meeting yesterday,
Likewise ,PipneyJane most of my knitting patterns are decades old but straight forward items, jumpers cardigans baby jerseys and dolls clothes don’t change too much!

BobbinAlong

I haven't managed to not add to the yarn stash this week - but it was Machine Knitting Live exhibition! However my tip for yarn addicts is to get out all your yarns and sort them by type (4 ply, DK etc) then take each one and make a shade ribbon by casting on ten stitches and knitting 10 rows then changing to the next colour and continuing until all are done. I have a shade ribbon for shetland, one for cotton, one for crepe and so on. These then go in a ziploc bag in my handbag and I can use them to ensure I don't buy the same colour twice. I also keep a spreadsheet of the type, colour and weight of yarn so I know exactly what I have for planning a project.

Happy_One

No chance of me buying ‘new’ clothes, only ‘new to me’ Have bought three pair of jeans over the last few months, one denim, one burgundy and one black cord, sum total of £4. All new condition though one brand new still with tags, so along with some very good sweater buys at £1 each that’s me set up for winter.

PipneyJane

BobbinAlong wrote: »

I haven't managed to not add to the yarn stash this week - but it was Machine Knitting Live exhibition! However my tip for yarn addicts is to get out all your yarns and sort them by type (4 ply, DK etc) then take each one and make a shade ribbon by casting on ten stitches and knitting 10 rows then changing to the next colour and continuing until all are done. I have a shade ribbon for shetland, one for cotton, one for crepe and so on. These then go in a ziploc bag in my handbag and I can use them to ensure I don't buy the same colour twice. I also keep a spreadsheet of the type, colour and weight of yarn so I know exactly what I have for planning a project.

What did you buy, BobbinAlong? I'm avoiding the Knit & Stitch Show at Ally Pally this week, because of the temptation.

That's a good tip. I rely on Ravelry to know what is in my stash and which yarns are already allocated to items in my queue. It won't stop me buying virtually the same coloured yarn in a different fibre - I'm drawn to denim blues - but it does remind me that I don't need yet another ball of grey sock yarn, when I already have 10 skeins at home.

- Pip

Caramac

I’m in. I would say I’m not a big consumer but it all adds up.

I’d already decided after I go to a Yarn show in November I wasn’t going to buy any more until the end of next year.

bexster1975

I don't have particular weaknesses. Sometimes we get a take away when there is plenty of food in to eat. I love books, but only buy from charity shops Andy no wonder increasingly borrow from the library either ebooks or eaudiobooks which is so convenient and free. I like nice toiletries and skincare, but always buy them on deals and currently have enough to cover most of 2020. A bargain I still my main weakness. I have already got many of the Ch******s presents sorted, and agreed limits with people we are buying for. Have also agreed not to buy with others. We don't really need anything buying, so it's better for families to keep their money for what they decide they need or want. No new decorations needed for the festivities, and plenty of cards and wrapping paper in storage.

The plan is to have a no spend week, other than food shop on Thursday.

Have good weeks all

Bexster