I thought it would be interesting to compile a list of the things I have bought (new) so far since I started five months ago trying to reduce my consumption – some of us bloggers are trying to buy nothing at all except food and toiletries, but I thought I would just see how I got on being more aware of what I buy and whether I really need it. (I’m excluding essential toiletries, food, utility bills, transport.) The list is longer than I would have wanted, partly because of having to get replacement clothes abroad quickly after having them stolen, but also because of birthday presents for my grandchildren! That’s a hard one! So here goes:
• case for phone
• replacement clothes: rain jacket; 4 organic cotton T-shirts; 6 pairs cotton pants; 5 pairs socks (Welsh wool); cotton scarf; swimming costume; ASICS trainers (high gel for my bad knees!) – if you think that’s a lot, we had everything stolen except what we were wearing on the train and we were staying for 3 and a half weeks!
• plastic toy one of my grandsons really really wanted for his birthday….
• lots of books for my kindle + daily newspaper and sub to climate change blog on kindle
• organic cotton body suit for new granddaughter
• Mothercare musical swing seat for same granddaughter (chosen by her parents)
• organic cotton sleeping suit for friend’s baby’s naming ceremony
• 2 replacement music books (also stolen)
• food supplements (eg glucosamine for my knees) and anti-histamine and other medicines
• a copy of the Big Issue
• a few hand-made greetings cards by a local artist
• a hand-crafted necklace by a local craftswoman (for me, actually – partly just because I really liked it and partly because I wanted to support the craft stall at the fair in my daughter’s village…..
• coffee-grinder (birthday present for Dave – a replacement)
• flowers (local)
• underfloor insulation for one room (reusing floorboards)
Presents: my downfall!
The biggest issue for me is presents: birthday and Christmas. I can really feel the pressure to get something my grandsons really want (some plastic lego-type box-set) and also to buy something my children want for their children (eg the baby swing). I am just a push-over for this and I really admire people who have got their families to agree to second-hand presents or Oxfam goats. We shall have to see what happens this Christmas – I’m planning to have a discussion with the family in advance and see if we can arrange something. It’s much easier with our adult children – they often ask for money anyway. I shall have to ask Fiona’s advice – she is very good at this kind of thing!