Monday, May 12, 2008

The Compact

I think this is so cool. Promising to buy nothing new for a period of time is such a fantastic challenge to give to yourself.

I thought maybe I should do something like this, but I don't honestly buy much. This is what I have bought new in the last two months:

  1. A new suitcase, since my old one wasn't carry-on size. I was so happy to have that carry-on bag when my plane couldn't make it home and we had to stay an extra night! (Could have used... a backpack?)
  2. A soap dish. E has awful skin reactions from every liquid hand soap we've ever tried. So we "needed" a soap dish to keep her bar of soap in. (Could have used a dessert plate?)
  3. One pair of beaded earrings. Indulgence.
  4. Two shirts and one pair of shorts for D, with a Penney's $10 off $10 coupon, and paid $2.06! (Could have bought used.)


5. Two sets of paint brushes at the dollar store. (Not much else you can do with that.)

What do you buy new?

3 comments:

Lindsey J said...

I am slightly embarrassed to admit that I am a horrible CONSUMER. I love the idea of buying used but I don't find myself doing it often enough. In fact, other than baby diapers or free hand-me-down clothing for the kids, I can't remember the last "used" item that I've purchased....probably maternity clothes a year ago. Yikes.

As a side note, have you tried Dr. Bronner's liquid castile soap? I LOVE it and they have a non-scented version that works very well on sensitive skin (in my experience).

Unknown said...

I'll definitely look into that soap. She does fine with a bar of soap at home, but at school they use liquid and it really eats at her hands. :( Poor kid. Sounds expensive, but maybe if I buy the school their supply for the year? (Entire school is about 40 kids.)

Happily Frugal Mama said...

We buy kids backpacks and winter coats once every 3 school years... good brands... on sale. With five kids they are NOT getting new ones each August... That would easily cost $300 or more! Ick.

Instead of buying new jeans for myself... I'm sending mine to the doctor... www.denimtherapy.com.

We use California Baby (not cheap) soap for the super sensitive kids... you might also try making your own either shea butter or glycerin based.

My oldest daughter usually gets new clothes, but then they go through 2 more girls before getting passed on to another kiddo somewhere.

Cheers!
Jamie

www.looksgoodinpolkadots.wordpress.com

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