Comments on: What Will Katy Buy New?

By: MJ

MJ — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 23:15:57 +0000

I’m not in the ‘compact’ but have been making less do more for a long time. One thing I swore I’d never buy used was shoes. My Dad had a thing about good shoes and it’s always made sense to me…until a week ago, when my flip flops broke (I’m traveling and have plenty at home). There they were, a seriously almost new pair of good flip flops for 8 bucks. I bought them, washed those leather foot pieces – with a scrub brush – and called ‘em mine instead of spending 8 bucks on a new cheapie pair that would break just as quickly as the other ones. Sorry, Dad, I had to!

Love your blog!

By: Betsy

Betsy — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 17:42:25 +0000

Just found your blog and LOVE IT! I would also love some suggestions on how to get hubby on board – 2 more paychecks from previous teaching job and “then” no $$$……………

By: Monroe on a Budget

Monroe on a Budget — Fri, 21 May 2010 12:35:00 +0000

Art supplies sound like a good purchase to me – especially if one can create beautiful things with them.

I do buy craft supplies when possible at the garage sales but that just kind of puts a dent in my retail purchases. It doesn’t replace it.

By: This is What Frugal Looks Like: Katy from the Non-Consumer Advocate — Almost Frugal

Thu, 20 May 2010 10:01:12 +0000

[...] What Katy buys new Kelly Rigotti started Almost Frugal as a thirty-something American trying to dig her way out from under a mountain of debt (~€60,000). She's almost frugal and would like to be more so, but shops at Ikea too often for her own good. Play Nice: Share With Others! [...]

By: Linda

Linda — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 22:01:17 +0000

I love hankies. they are reusable and much gentler on the nose than paper tissues. I buy hankies at thrift stores when I can get them for 50 cents or less. Often they are new ones that people gave to the thrift store because they don’t use hankies, but it doesn’t bother me to blow my nose in a hankie that some one else used any more than it bothers me to wear someone elses clothes. it doesn’t bother me at all. I inspect the hankies carefully before I make my purchise because old hankies are often deteriorated with age.

By: Seven Ways to Avoid Buying New Stuff — A Guest Post from Leo Babauta of mnmlist.com « The Non-Consumer Advocate

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 01:39:10 +0000

[...] What Will Katy Buy New? What Non-Consumer Activities Have You Been Up To? Shh . . . It’s The Secretly Frugal [...]

By: Monique

Monique — Tue, 12 May 2009 20:19:58 +0000

Old cloth diaper liners make great menstrual clothes as well!

By: Monique

Monique — Tue, 12 May 2009 20:18:51 +0000

ya, but what if you hang them in the sun for several days? That might sterilize them somewhat. I’ve also heard of laying things out on the snow on sunny days – the cold and sun combine to kill things.

By: Monique

Monique — Tue, 12 May 2009 20:16:23 +0000

I make hankies out of old sheets that have got too thin to use anymore – they are so, so soft and wash up great. No need to buy them at all!

By: Maggie

Maggie — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 21:08:38 +0000

Hi all,
Just wanted to respond to Mary’s note about TP. I recommend making your own cloth wipes. Old t-shirts make nice soft, thin ones, and old towels make great tougher wipes for when you need them. Ahem.

We haven’t done this yet, but will make the transition after our daughter finishes potty training (I do enough laundry for now!). We’ve been using cloth wipes on her since she was born 2 1/2 years ago. I gradually realized I was jealous! A soft piece of cloth beats scratchy recycled tp any day. We use a tub of water with a bit of tea tree oil and aloe vera added. I recommend a diaper pail or other container that will close all of the way. You can make your own pail liner out of old linen, and throw it in the wash with the wipes.

I switched to non-disposable menstrual supplies from GladRags too. They have wonderful pads and a spiffy plastic cup called the keeper too. I’d definitely buy that last one new. However, it will last for many years.

Bonne chance!