Could you live without buying anything new for a year?

If you had a garden, you could grow some of your own food, and if you had a freezer, you could stock up on meat for a very long time. I could get by without buying new clothes and such, but how in the world would you get by without toilet paper and stuff like that?

Even if they don't make it for a year, it still in an impressive goal. I would definetly use the freecycle programs. It's done awesome for our family. I believe that I would have to start using a barter method though after a while. Trade in a lot of DVD's for a new one, trade in a lot of clothes for new ones. There are tons of websites that do this type of barter system.

We normally live pretty much without much new. You don't count groceries do you? We buy things at Church Rummage Sales and have a free clothing bank in town. We freecycle also. We garden so that helps us with food. We are well aware anytime any new things gets into our house.

I personally try to buy everything I can used. I wouldn't buy used underwear though, but I bet if I needed to then I could sew my own.

At first, when I saw the title of your post, I was trying to figure out how anyone could survive without buying _anything_ for a year *laugh* Then, of course, I realized that you meant only brand new items could not be purchased. As long as you aren't counting food, yes, I do believe that it's entirely possible to go without biying anything new for a year. I'd never considered doing it, but I _love_ the idea! I also should look more into Freecycle, who you mentioned in your post, as I have heard of it before and it sounds like an amazing organization! ^_^ I wish that I had seen the television program that you were talking about.. I would love to hear more about this couple and what they are planning to do! ^_^

Yes, I could as long as there was money to pay the mortgage and car payment. We live in the country and have a ready supply of coal for heat and cooking. I have food stored. I think I have enough for a year. We have our garden seeds and always raise a garden. We preserve by dehydrateing and canning meats, veggies and fruits. I am a county cook so yes we could. I only worry about the bills that we have. We only have 3 55 gallon drums of water stored. That would only last a couple months. Our lifestyle would change some but I firmly believe we could make it as long as we did not loose our home. Our mortgage is over 600 a month. I have plenty of baking soda to brush our teeth and clean with. I have plenty of vinegar for sanitizing ....I had probably check on the vinegar..I may have to restock my supply. I use alot of it in my laundry and I also use it to clean windows. Could you do it?

No honestly, I doubt that. I am sure I would need shoes or clothes, and want it new. The car may need repairs, or the house may need something important. So, I cannot go a year without getting anything new, nor would I know what to do.

Yes and No. I could live forever without buying anything new and not think anything of it. Ooops, forgot about my computer. If I had to buy anything new it would be only for my computer which would allow me to stay in myLot without missing a beat. The only new clothes I have are gifts for Christmas and my birthday which my close friends give me. My clothes don't wear out nor, to me, go out of style. So there you have it.

I couldn't do it because I don't trust strangers enough to use already used stuff. I got a lot of bum deals from yardsales. I can't even trust my own father to give me something used!! When someone in his family has something defective they want to throw away, they give it to ME because I should be greatful!! AARRGGHH!!!! I think there's a REASON why they wnat to get rid of it, and because there is a reason, I don't want to have to bother with it!!

There is a really cool online blog about a study group who has made a compact to do this. They're on their second year of it. Here is the link for it: http://sfcompact.blogspot.com/ Personally, I don't know if I could do it. I have two special needs kids and just getting to the grocery store can be hard, much less having time to dig through thrift shops for what we need. I shop a whole lot online.

no way! i always need more clothes...shoes and accessories for every season.....

Great discussion.. That would really be awesome to try. I am sure I would end up buying some items. But if you really stuck to it I believe it can be done. I think I could do it. I live with my mother however and she would never go to it. I am still trying to train her in the ways of recycling and reusing...lol I got a lovely water cooler, with hot and cold water from a local freecycler and she wouldn't use it because it came from someone elses house. No matter how much I told her that I cleaned it myself...etc. No she would have no part of it. So anything like that or that my mother won't accept so while it wouldn't work here. I think I could do it if I lived somewhere else. I do try to find things used before buing it new whenever possible though. Here is a link to FreeCycle though if someone is interested. It's been very helpful for me. You just have to look for a group near you or if you want you can start your own group in your area... Good luck everyone. http://www.freecycle.org

For me it is highly impossible to live without buying anything and especially clothes and i like purchasing a new things for the house hold and keep house clean and neat.

I don't know if I could do it or not - I could try, but I my backyard isn't big enough to grow food, so that would be a problem. I like the idea of buying used as much as you can - but some things you have to buy new (underwear, toilet paper). Good for them that they are giving it a shot!!

it would be hard to do. I use the freecycle site and have received a lot of great stuff as well as recycle some of the items I no longer need. I love going to op shops and finding bargains there. But nothing new for a whole year hmmm dont think I could do it, not with kids anyway

I know I could go without buying clothes for a year. Because I have already done that. But as far as household items and personal items I really do not that I could go that long.

i dont think that a person can live without buying anything. For me as a person we have our daily needs and ofcourse if u dont buy anything for a year, wow its impossible for me i think but i respect others opinion as well.

It is difficult ... But it is not impossible....

That seems extremely hard for anyone to do, i know i wouldnt be able to do that. I guess one method of getting around that would be to borrow items or rent, if that counts.

it is not compulsion but ye i like to buy some memorable thing .