Digest: Best of Buy Nothing

One of my favorite ways to participate in reuse is through the "gifting" economy, and primarily through Buy Nothing. Buy Nothing groups are local to your city or neighborhood, to make it super convenient to pickup or drop off items. If you haven't yet, check out the website to identify your local group; there are more mature groups on Facebook, as well as a less mature app.

On Buy Nothing, the only rule is that you "buy nothing", and you can both post items to give, respond to other people's posts to receive, or post "ask"s if you want to try to receive something from a neighbor before resorting to shopping. This is the modern version of "borrow a cup of sugar from your neighbor".

To show how much value these these types of groups can create in your community, this is just a sampling of my activity over the last 6 years:

Received

Tons of clothing. I especially loved this Liz Claiborne Rose Sweater (~ value $44), this plaid shirt ($23), this top ($39), and this purse ($65). 

Occasionally, folks would pass on new or like new items that were of high value, such as these Mugsy jeans ($108) or these Taos sandals ($125)

The most amusing item I was gifted (click to see videos!) was this ball pit for Meeko ($40), and the most unique item I was received was when someone smoked too much goat meat. (This is how we try new things with no financial risk. :) )

Overall, I have received well over $600 worth of value from my neighbors. 

 

Gave

40 deli containers similar to Gladware (~$60 value)

120+ empty egg cartons ($50)

100+ wine corks ($20) 

240+ shipping and moving boxes (up to $1200 value, depending on if people bought these retail or wholesale)

3 "ugly" holiday sweaters ($60)

7.5 ft Kirkland pre-lit Christmas tree ($500) along with ornament and star topper

Glass patio table ($40)

Many previous model electronics (ex. Fitbit and DVD player) and accessories when I upgrade

Lots of miscellaneous kitchen accessories, art supplies, and picture frames

Overall, I have given over $2200 worth of value to my neighbors, much of which most people would consider "trash" or just recycle.

Between giving and receiving, my participation in Buy Nothing has recirculated over $2800 of goods in the last 6 years. Now consider the possibilities when you multiple by all the members (7.5 Million!) in the group and all the groups (128000 Buy Nothing communities)!

Seasons Greenings

It's all over the news these days: inflation, the economy, cost of gas, and more. While the holidays are still a couple months away, you see companies like Amazon doing early access sales to get shoppers to think about shopping earlier than Black Friday this year. And it makes sense... with wallets feeling a bit thinner these days, you might want to plan ahead, and spread out the spending over a longer period of time.

In this article, a consumer poll states that 84% of shoppers will have their holiday shopping impacted in some way by inflation, with 58% of shoppers starting their shopping before November, and 37% interested in purchasing second-hand gifts. 

The great news is there are amazing gifts to be found in second-hand stores, some of which are second-hand but in very good condition, and some of which are actually brand new but are discounted overstock. 

1. Start shopping early to find what you want second-hand. Let's be honest: sometimes it takes a couple extra rounds to find what you want at second hand stores, as you're looking through individual items instead of a traditional retail store ordering multiple pieces of inventory of multiple sizes and varieties. 

2. Do check out online. There are more and more online options for resale, such as thredUP and Poshmark for clothing. Goodwill can be found on Ebay for assorted items ranging from musical equipment to toys and tools. On Amazon, you can filter your results for "Used" condition. 

3. Hop on the designer resale trend. More and more premium brands are launching resale programs on their websites. Just a couple examples are Preloved by Michael Kors and The North Face Renewed. Here you can get steep discounts (ex 50%) off of top brands. Many of the items I browsed on these sites were new or used just a few times. Imagine the ski jacket that was used for just one season before the teen outgrew it, or the beautiful handbag used for a special event and then sat in the back of the closet. These items are definitely in fantastic condition and ready for the next giftee to enjoy!

4. Don't forget your local gifting group. While I usually am giving items on my local Buy Nothing group, you're also allowed to ask for items. Again, you'll want to start early, but often a neighbor will have an item you are looking for, and will happily pass it on.

5. Move up your spring cleaning. Many of these sites, shops, and programs allow you to sell your own items. Clean out your bookshelf and closet, starting the new year off fresh, and gaining some extra funds for your gifting budget.

Twelve Days of Conscious Christmas: Day 4, Support Local Businesses

Previously, we've talked about the benefits of shopping local, like when we featured The Handmade Showroom (still awesome, by the way). You not only support the local economy, but your goods have to travel less far, taking less fuel and resources to get to you. 

Now, more than ever, small businesses need our support. The government funds available for loans or grants through COVID are just not enough, and I've known more than one small business close their doors. 

So.. for gifts, or decorations, or even food for holiday meals, check out those local small businesses and the holiday cheer will go both ways!

Just one option for you to check out: The Pike Place Market Charitable Marketplace. Not only do you get to support the merchants of the market directly by purchasing from them, a portion of the funds goes to the general market recovery fund, supporting the market's businesses as a whole. AND you get to shop online, safely from the comfort of your home.

Here are some of the treats I've got my eye on (click the images to go to the marketplace): 

For my table

Nothing better than spiced wine or spiced tea to make it feel like the holidays: 

2017 Spiced Rachel Red wine, $33

 

Cinnamon Orange Loose Tea, $19.95

For gifting

For the nice and naughty on your list.

You Are Loved Wall Art, $45

 

Bag of Coal Hand Soap, $8

For my house

Just a little decoration to brighten up these grey, cloudy skies!

Red Holiday Wreath, $50

 

Light Catcher Ornament, Party Pink, $25

 

What are some of your favorite local businesses to shop from?

Waste Free Gift Wrap, Japanese Style

There are a number of different ways to reduce waste in gift wrapping, from as simple to reusing gift bags until they are well-worn to more elaborate methods.

Today, let's explore a traditional Japanese method of wrapping with fabric, called Furoshiki. Wikipedia states that this practice started back in the 1600s as an early equivalent of the gym bag: bathers at the public baths would wrap their clothes to distinguish them from other bather's belongings. It has since extended to wrapping bento boxes and then as gift wrap. The practice declined with the emergence of plastic bags, but is on the rise again with environmentalism.

The different wrapping techniques are varied in how elaborate they are and how much skill is needed. Being brand new to this practice, I needed some help and used this basic YouTube tutorial. There are hundreds of videos and how-to guides out there for different techniques.

You have a lot of options for fabric choice: from a square of festive holiday fabric that is specifically for wrapping, or a fabric item that is part of the gift itself, like a scarf. For my friend Allison, who is a fan of biking, I found this cute tea towel, that doubles as part of the gift.

Start with your fabric and whatever needs to be wrapped.

Center the book in the middle of the fabric, on a diagonal.

Roll two of the sides around the book, like you're rolling up a burrito.

Take the two remaining corners, pull them to the center, and tie a knot. Voilá! Cute little bundle with "bow". 

Result: no disposable wrapping materials needed for a festive birthday gift.