Last year we undertook a year of less project as a family. Whilst we were quietly working things out and learning heaps along the way, I didn't share it as much as I intended here as it all felt kinda messy. Finances were so tight at times which was incredibly stressful. But throughout the year we adapted to a totally new-to-us way of living. It requires more patience, it's messier and certainly slower. The flip side is that we have grown in creativity and resilience tenfold. The deep appreciation we now experience for small progress has added a greater sense of value to our lives.
After chatting to Grant, we have decided to undertake a new year of less. But this time I hope to do a better job of sharing what works for us and what doesn't. The year of less is simply a challenge for us, a set of guidelines to call us into account to ensure the life we live is in align with the life we value. It's inspired by Cait Flanders book The Year Of Less, which is well worth checking out. Cait used these guidelines when she started her year though we have adapted them a little to suit our family and lifestyle. Considering the way in which Australia is experiencing climate change at the moment, it feels like a conscious action we can undertake to help decrease our carbon footprint and live a greener, more sustainable life.
Guidelines for the yearlong shopping ban
Allowed
- Groceries, food and basic kitchen gear
- Toiletries/first aid items/medications
- Cleaning supplies/basic soap making items
- Gifts
- Items on the approved shopping list
Banned
- Take away (Unless its part of a planned family experience)
- Homewares/knick nacks
- Clothes for the sake of it
- Toys unless it's a birthday
- All subscriptions except one basic $10/month version of Stan/Netflix
Approved/planned purchases
- Building materials like screws/nails/paint (if we can't source it second hand)
- Oven/dishwasher/kitchen cupboards/flooring to finish yurt
- Direct replacement of clothing/uniform items that have children have outgrown or that are worn out.
- Monthy family treat/experience
- Bins/containers to help sort recycling as part of our families goal to minimise waste and shop in bulk.
- Car maintenance/tyres etc
- 12v smart TV (we need a smart tv to stream free TV which can run easily off our small solar system)
Our aim is not only to consume less, but it's also to consume more sustainably. So when purchasing anything we will be considering the questions below and aiming to utilize items that already exist within the second-hand economy.
We generally give our kids free rein to spend their own money however they see fit, though I strongly encourage them to spend their money on good quality, open-ended items that won't instantly end up in landfill or become useless clutter. Occasionally I let them make a poor choice if they refuse to listen so they feel the lesson I'm trying to teach them. Toys that break instantly are disappointing on all levels, especially when it's their own money they have spent! They quickly learn to avoid such items which is an important life lesson. Will is becoming particularly interested in buying second hand and getting the best value out of his money. He recently bought this bike with his Christmas money. It cost him $170 and had only been ridden once before the owner decided it wasn't the right bike for them. This bike retailed for about $450-$500 new.
Though we readily op-shop and buy second hand, I have always hesitated to buy second-hand items as gifts. Recently I have come to realize that's a really silly notion, tied up in my own pride and fear of people judging me for not being generous enough. There are so many beautiful items available second-hand in brand new condition. Items bought online that don't quite fit right so are moved on, excess toys that never get played with, clothes that children have grown out of before they even got a chance to wear them, perfectly good furniture and home-wares that people 'upgrade' in order to meet some kind of look they are chasing inspired by the latest home magazine. The fact is we live in a time of excess consumption. People consume more then they need and more then they can possibly use and all of that excess ends up in the second-hand market. That market my friends, has become my very favourite place to shop. Gifts and all!
It is always more sustainable and greener to buy and use second-hand items and items that already exist rather than continuing to add to the consumer action which directly contributes to the continued overproduction of goods.
I'd love to hear if you're interested in doing your own no-spend week/month/year? What are your needs vs wants?
Much love,
Emma
xx
I really wanted to buy baby a lovely vintage-looking teddy, then Will and I remembered he had this teddy in perfect condition which he never built an attachment too. Will decided he was happy to pass it on so we washed her up, I pulled out a 50c op-shopped cardigan I had tucked away and sewed a little bow for her head out of scrap fabric. Now she is all ready to be loved!
After chatting to Grant, we have decided to undertake a new year of less. But this time I hope to do a better job of sharing what works for us and what doesn't. The year of less is simply a challenge for us, a set of guidelines to call us into account to ensure the life we live is in align with the life we value. It's inspired by Cait Flanders book The Year Of Less, which is well worth checking out. Cait used these guidelines when she started her year though we have adapted them a little to suit our family and lifestyle. Considering the way in which Australia is experiencing climate change at the moment, it feels like a conscious action we can undertake to help decrease our carbon footprint and live a greener, more sustainable life.
Guidelines for the yearlong shopping ban
Allowed
- Groceries, food and basic kitchen gear
- Toiletries/first aid items/medications
- Cleaning supplies/basic soap making items
- Gifts
- Items on the approved shopping list
Banned
- Take away (Unless its part of a planned family experience)
- Homewares/knick nacks
- Clothes for the sake of it
- Toys unless it's a birthday
- All subscriptions except one basic $10/month version of Stan/Netflix
Approved/planned purchases
- Building materials like screws/nails/paint (if we can't source it second hand)
- Oven/dishwasher/kitchen cupboards/flooring to finish yurt
- Direct replacement of clothing/uniform items that have children have outgrown or that are worn out.
- Monthy family treat/experience
- Bins/containers to help sort recycling as part of our families goal to minimise waste and shop in bulk.
- Car maintenance/tyres etc
- 12v smart TV (we need a smart tv to stream free TV which can run easily off our small solar system)
Our aim is not only to consume less, but it's also to consume more sustainably. So when purchasing anything we will be considering the questions below and aiming to utilize items that already exist within the second-hand economy.
Do without
Is this item a need vs want?
Will it add long term value to our life?
Can we use something else to fill the same need?
Up-cycle or buy second hand
Can we make what we need utilizing materials that already exist?
Can the item be sourced second hand?
Can we borrow or barter for the item?
Can we make the item out of new materials?
When we make something we have a deeper understanding of its value. We understand the real cost of the resources and time that goes into producing it and tend to look after it better.
Buy
Can we buy the item locally to support the local economy?
Will and his brand-new-to-him-bike. The original owner only used it once before deciding they didn't want it and Will bought from them for a fraction of the price it would have been in the shop.
We generally give our kids free rein to spend their own money however they see fit, though I strongly encourage them to spend their money on good quality, open-ended items that won't instantly end up in landfill or become useless clutter. Occasionally I let them make a poor choice if they refuse to listen so they feel the lesson I'm trying to teach them. Toys that break instantly are disappointing on all levels, especially when it's their own money they have spent! They quickly learn to avoid such items which is an important life lesson. Will is becoming particularly interested in buying second hand and getting the best value out of his money. He recently bought this bike with his Christmas money. It cost him $170 and had only been ridden once before the owner decided it wasn't the right bike for them. This bike retailed for about $450-$500 new.
Though we readily op-shop and buy second hand, I have always hesitated to buy second-hand items as gifts. Recently I have come to realize that's a really silly notion, tied up in my own pride and fear of people judging me for not being generous enough. There are so many beautiful items available second-hand in brand new condition. Items bought online that don't quite fit right so are moved on, excess toys that never get played with, clothes that children have grown out of before they even got a chance to wear them, perfectly good furniture and home-wares that people 'upgrade' in order to meet some kind of look they are chasing inspired by the latest home magazine. The fact is we live in a time of excess consumption. People consume more then they need and more then they can possibly use and all of that excess ends up in the second-hand market. That market my friends, has become my very favourite place to shop. Gifts and all!
It is always more sustainable and greener to buy and use second-hand items and items that already exist rather than continuing to add to the consumer action which directly contributes to the continued overproduction of goods.
I'd love to hear if you're interested in doing your own no-spend week/month/year? What are your needs vs wants?
Much love,
Emma
xx
