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In Praise of Old and Cheap
17.1.16 |
| Italian-made trousers $10 (Salvos) |
Did you know that Australia is one of the highest producers of waste per person in the world? Almost 99 percent of everything we buy becomes waste within six weeks of purchase. It's no surprise that the waste we produce is steadily rising, increasing by 12% in just six years. Only 62% of waste is recycled. With economic growth driving increased consumption, as well as Melbourne's growing population generating more waste, I wonder how long we can sustain our flippant, disposable lifestyle? Buying pre-loved things is my small effort to reduce this crazy avalanche of unnecessary waste.
How to be cheap and live well:
Think twice before purchasing...and throwing away. I have a hard time throwing things away. I think of alternative ways to reuse almost everything before I let it go. This is a blessing and a curse - I could easily become a hoarder! So it's important that I think about the things I buy, rather than giving in to impulse buying!
Buy pre-loved. Search eBay, gumtree, op shops, flea markets and hard rubbish. For interiors, be inspired by apartment therapy and ikea hack for things to do with old ikea furniture. Buy pre-loved designer clothes at a fraction of the cost from Facebook selling groups and eBay. Get your friends together and attend (or host) a clothes swap. You'll be surprised at the pieces you find, most of which are hardly worn. Like the old adage, one woman's trash is another woman's treasure...
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| Glass bottles and jars - my weakness. I reuse them as flower vases, for storing food, fermenting, drinking glasses.... |
Upcycle and repurpose. Mix and match vintage saucers and teacups for instant shabby chic. Second-hand ashtrays make great jewellery dishes, and almost any container can be used as a plant pot.Pick up a vintage chair with a broken back? Turn it into a side table by removing the back and sanding it. Up-cycle old clothes and accessories - check out a pair and a spare for DIY inspiration. Embrace wabi sabi and the beauty of imperfection.
Minimise, prioritise. I follow the minimalist approach - before I buy something, ask "will this add value to my life?". If it doesn't, it will eventually become a burden - another forgotten thing occupying precious apartment space. Having too many things creates too much choice, too much of a good thing. Rather than liberating, too much choice is paralysing and debilitating. Choice anxiety is very real, and, at 8:30am, is it really worthwhile to waste time deciding between black work shoes with or without a bow? Instead....
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| Top: €1 (Op Shop in Paris) Leather Clutch $5 (Camberwell Market) Belt $2 (op shop) J Brand Jeans $20 (eBay) Leather flats $8 (Salvos) = $40 total outfit |
Spend on what you value. Choose quality products that last. In terms of your wardrobe, invest in classics like a well-cut shirt, a flattering pair of jeans. Quality, comfortable boots that work with everything (I could write a whole post on my wardrobe staples...). How you spend your money shapes your world - it casts a vote for the society that you want. For me, that means investing in local, well-designed, eco-friendly and potentially multi-functional items. It means searching for second-hand or upcycled items. It means buying less, and doing more with less.
What kind of world are you creating with the things you buy?
Want to dig deeper?
- The minimalists Inspiration and tips for living a life with less stuff
- TED Talk: The Paradox of Choice (Barry Schwartz) Why more is less
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