Ten ways to survive Buy Nothing New Month

IF THE thought of buying nothing new for the month of October sends shivers down your spine, meet Tamara — she’s bought nothing new for 10 years.

SnapShot Pic of Tamara DiMattina

FROM giving up booze for Febfast to growing a mo for Movember, we’re starting to get used to the idea of quitting things for a month to raise money for a cause or try a new way of living. Now we’re being encouraged to buy nothing new for October to rethink our spending habits and reduce landfill.

Since launching in 2010, Buy Nothing New Month has gained rapid momentum as Australians embrace the concept of living with less. Creator Tamara DiMattina, who has basically bought nothing new for 10 years, says more and more people are jumping at the opportunity to rethink their spending.

“We live on a planet with finite resources, yet we are consuming infinitely, like there is a never-ending supply,” DiMattina told news.com.au.

“I don’t have this miserly, stingy life. I have a wonderful, full life, but I just don’t need all the stuff that advertising constantly tells us that we need. More people are discovering that the alternative to wasteful, mindless consumption, is a happier, more calm, more connected and meaningful life.”

It doesn’t mean buy nothing at all, rather we’re encouraged to rethink our spending habits and opt for second-hand wherever possible — yes, even undies from the op shop (as long as they still have a tag).

If you’re used to fast fashion and new outfits for every event, this could be a challenging month, so here’s how to buy less, and probably be happier:

1. SCOUR OP SHOPS IN WEALTHY AREAS

You don’t have to be a vintage queen to uncover op shop bargains — DiMattina says the key is knowing where to shop. “Shop in areas where people have more disposable cash and might turn their wardrobe over faster,” she suggests. “You can pick up last season’s Country Road or Witchery or Willow if you prefer contemporary style.”

2. ROCK IMPERFECTIONS

Stains, holes or faults can go from outfit wreckers to fashion statements with a bit of creative thinking. “There’s a new movement around really making those things a feature,” DiMattina says. “In the past we used to try to mend things so you couldn’t tell that it’d been mended — now you’re wearing it with a badge of honour, saying, ‘Look, I’ve extended the life of this, I’ve made it something better’.”

3. STRESS LESS ABOUT STATUS UPDATES

If you fret at the thought of your Instagram or Facebook feed showing you in the same outfit twice, Cait Flanders from the Blonde on a Budget blog, suggests rethinking why you care. Flanders got rid of 75 per cent of her belongings and is currently in the midst of a two-year shopping ban. “I’ve always been someone who cycles through the same two to three outfits and don’t really care about accessories or trends,” she says. “When I’ve completely worn them out, I replace them.” DiMattina predicts that it will soon become shameful to always be seen in something new. “People are becoming more aware of the impact that constant consumption has on our resources and on our people and on our planet,” she says.

4. BUY UP-CYCLED GIFTS

If you’ve got a birthday party this October, you don’t need to show up empty-handed. Make some truffles or bliss balls as a delicious gift, get crafty with ideas from My Poppet Makes or head to upcyclestudio.com.au to find upcycled fashion and homewares.

5. MAKE FURNITURE WITH ELBOW GREASE

A flat pack from Ikea might seem like the cheapest way to furnish your home, but DiMattina says picking up quality second-hand furniture can be a beautiful way of adding style and substance to your home. “I bought a workman’s bench from eBay and my dad and I stripped it back, then put wheels and a marble top on it,” she says. “It’s beautiful and I love it but if I’d just gone out to Ikea and bought it, I wouldn’t have that sense of pride and ownership of it, plus I wouldn’t have spent the time with my dad recreating it.”

6. OP SHOP FOR GYM GEAR AND UNDERWEAR

Don’t cringe too quickly — DiMattina says she has picked up brand new designer workout gear that had hardly been worn for a fraction of the cost, and she says there’s nothing wrong with buying underwear that still has the tags on it. “Often the stuff has been hardly used — it could have been a gift they didn’t like or something that didn’t fit,” she says. “Another thing I do for Bikram yoga is buy second hand leggings and cut them down into little shorts for the hot yoga studio. They’re perfect.”

7. REFRESH YOUR HOMEWARES

Buying nothing new doesn’t mean you won’t bore of your old things — the challenge is to think creatively about how to upcycle your possessions. “You could reupholster your couch or to give it a new lease on life,” DiMattina suggests.

8. HAVE EXPERIENCES FOR ENTERTAINMENT

Whether it’s a hike, a concert or going to a gallery, dedicate October to doing things you love, not buying things you (think you) love. “I used to think I needed all these new things to somehow make my life better, but really I just need to nurture my relationships and share experiences with people,” Flanders says.

9. HAVE A SWAP PARTY

Get your friends together to bring clothing, books, DVDs and homewares they don’t like or use any more and swap them. A good approach is to hang like-items in different areas of a room or house, then take it in turns to do a lap and select one thing to keep.

10. DO IT WITH A BUDDY

If you’re used to retail therapy then find a friend you can call if you’re about to hit the shops. “Find someone you can stay accountable to; someone who will tell you to NOT buy things, if you text them and say you want to,” Flanders suggests.

Originally published as Ten ways to survive Buy Nothing New Month