Don't Buy New Stuff: Apartment Challenge!

[Amanda]

Happy Earth Day everyone!

I thought I'd share with you something I am doing to reduce my impact on the Earth. Many of you might have heard of the "Don't Buy New Stuff" challenge (http://www.thehpalliance.org/category/dont-buy-new-stuff/) by Matt of the Whomping Willows. Well, I do my own version all of the time, trying to get used items when possible, but right now I'm doing an extra special challenge.

I'm moving into a new apartment and have next to nothing, having sold/gave it all away when I moved across the country last year. So my challenge is to furnish the whole place without buying new stuff! So far I have various things for the kitchen, a dresser, a desk, and an arm chair. I still need bookshelves, more stuff for the kitchen, seating, tv and stand, a bed, and other stuff. I'm looking in online used ads (like kijiji and craigslist), shopping at thrift stores, and asking friends and family if they have old stuff they don't want any more.

Having said that, there are a few exceptions:

1) Some things should be new for hygienic reasons. For instance, I'll likely get my mattress new since no friends have one to offer, but I'll find a used frame.

2) Some things I need for work are very specific and hard to find used. And I need them now.

3) Some things are good to buy new if they are more environmentally friendly in the long run and give money to eco-conscious groups or/and local business.

So I will keep you updated! This is a hard challenge to do all at once. So it might be a while before I have a properly furnished place. lol. Yay for sitting on the floor! But I'm up for the challenge.

And tell me, what awesome things have you found second hand?

Update! Read the next part here: http://thehpalliance.ning.com/profiles/blogs/update-1-dont-buy-new-...

[Heather]

Do keep us updated! This is interesting, and challenging!

Favorite secondhand stuff... hmm... plenty of books! My senior prom dress was second-hand. I also recently got this awesome old leather satchel at Salvation Army last week! My love of second hand is in its initial stages but will continue to grow, I assure you. :P

[Amanda]

Good luck Dorothy and Holly! :) I'm finding it fun, though some things are a challenge.

My university is new to the end-of-year sale but I did get a dresser there.

I've also managed to get: kitchen stuff, a desk, a litter box for the cat, a cheap full-length mirror, some shelves, a bedside alarm clock/radio...

I'm not sure yet how to get: sheets, towels. I think I might make another specific appeal to my friends. And I need to check out more second hand stores.

And I bought new: drawer pulls for the dresser. They were on clearance at a little local hardware store that needs the business.

Fav thing so far: A set of very old metal drinking glasses like my grandmother had. And I think they might've actually belonged to a relative, given the names/initials written on them! They match my dad and his brothers and were from an area they lived in as kids.

[Holly]

I'm also getting ready to move. I already have some things (bed, dresser, etc) but I'm moving into a bigger place (guest bedroom! mancave for my boyfriend! geekcave for me! - assuming we get the place we're currently looking at) and there are something that I would like that I don't have, like a guest bed or a desk. I'll be doing this same exact thing.

I don't know what it's like where you are, but where I live, the local United Way teams up with the college campus for the biggest yard sale ever, called "Trash to Treasure." They fill up the football stadium with used but useable furniture, clothing, electronics, etc, and the money benefits the United Way. It runs at the end of May. Perhaps you have something like that in your area?

[Dorothy]

I'll probably be joining you in this as I'm getting an apartment this August.