Okay well its been ages since I typed anything. Perhaps I'm not the blogging type or perhaos i just get too distracted by other online activities!
Anyway a little in the way of an update is in order I suppose. The no buying new stuff is going relatively well I would say. I have been trying for the last 6 or 7 months not to buy any new stuff - can't remember exactly when it started but it was probably in March sometime. If I needed a new thing I would just have to get it 2nd hand or not at all. Food obviously not included!
The idea behind the plan was to not add to the demand for resources. Initially this actually led to a huge spree on ebay when I realised just how much I could buy. This, however, isn't really in the spirit of cutting down on consumerism so I soon stopped and have just intermittently bought things I need since then.
The biggest challenge has arisen from the fact that my main hobby is scuba diving. Now with scuab diving equipment there is a large element of safety to consider when buying equipment and for this reason there is a lot of caution about buying used stuff. I have, however, bar a few items managed to get what I need used. I figure buying kit from other divers not only helps to cut down on demand for new items but helps to put a few quid in peoples pocket. In the current financial climate surely this is a good thing. More difficult is trying to do my diving related hobby of underwater photography without buying new gear, but I'm trying.
I think I have only bought 4 brand new items in the last 7 months. All of them have been small diving related stuff that I found v. difficult to buy second hand - I mean where the hell are you meant to acquire second hand bungee cord? The fact remains though that this also has a money saving effect - well at least until I find the next pre-loved item to buy. :-)
All in all I think it is going well even if retailers (diving or otherwise) might not support my little project!