I bought only second hand clothes last year (with the exception of socks, underwear and bras, plus 1 tee that supported a local small business and promoted how terrible book bans are). I've continued it this year with only purchasing 1 new pair of walking shoes.
Keeping a list of your thrift wants is key since you have to be patient to find what you are looking for. Good luck with your trip to MA, it sounds like so much fun!
That is amazing! It's wild to really see what we need vs. what we want. I have waited years for certain thrift finds that mean so much more to me than finding a random substitute at like, Target or HomeSense. And thank you!!
I also have to comment that I treasure reading this every Friday. I recently had to return to office and I always take a little break with my coffee in my cubicle to read your newsletter and tell myself “It’s Friday!!!!!!” Would you mind sharing your cinnamon swirl bread machine recipe you used?
Just wanted to drop a note that I eagerly look forward to reading this newsletter every Friday- it’s a fun part of my routine now and I really cherish it 🍕 🌱 as another avid thrifter- make sure you’re checking some of those old glasses for lead! I know they are reasonably priced kits and can be useful to checking beautiful old kitchenware. I’d love to hear what your thrift haul is next week from the flea market! I spent 4 years in Amherst (ZooMass, anyone?) but never got out there. Maybe someday!
Oh yes!! For old glasses I just use them for flowers or decor, not to drink out of. Great point about lead testing!! I have some kits I have used and when in doubt I assume all the gorgeous stuff has lead 😂😂 Thank you so much, Kate!
Great job sticking with your No Buy! I am in a similar place-- having kind of fallen off the wagon in the past couple of weeks with some questionable purchases (maybe not technically breaking my rules but definitely breaking the spirit of the rules haha). I'm resolving to spend some time this weekend revisiting my No Buy Rules and re-committing to the spirit of the project. For me, this has been a season of some unexpected large expenditures and stress, and that always leads to me using purchases for a (temporary) boost.
Yeah I have gotten back into the "small treat for doing adult errands" culture, which in the grand scheme of things I think is fine! Like, life is hard sometimes so an iced coffee to soothe my soul is just what the universe ordered. The dopamine hit is real!
This was such a joyful, grounding read—thank you for writing it with such care and clarity. I love how you frame secondhand treasure-hunting as both art and resistance. There’s something quietly radical about choosing intentionality in a world that constantly screams "newer, faster, now." Your Brimfield prep sounds like a pilgrimage in the best way, and the bit about vintage chamber pots as trash cans? That’s icon behavior.
You’ve inspired me to start keeping a little thrift list of my own (and to stop feeling guilty for loving the hunt). May the Goodwill gods bless your next basket find—this post was a whole vibe. 💛🛒🪄
I bought only second hand clothes last year (with the exception of socks, underwear and bras, plus 1 tee that supported a local small business and promoted how terrible book bans are). I've continued it this year with only purchasing 1 new pair of walking shoes.
Keeping a list of your thrift wants is key since you have to be patient to find what you are looking for. Good luck with your trip to MA, it sounds like so much fun!
That is amazing! It's wild to really see what we need vs. what we want. I have waited years for certain thrift finds that mean so much more to me than finding a random substitute at like, Target or HomeSense. And thank you!!
I also have to comment that I treasure reading this every Friday. I recently had to return to office and I always take a little break with my coffee in my cubicle to read your newsletter and tell myself “It’s Friday!!!!!!” Would you mind sharing your cinnamon swirl bread machine recipe you used?
Just wanted to drop a note that I eagerly look forward to reading this newsletter every Friday- it’s a fun part of my routine now and I really cherish it 🍕 🌱 as another avid thrifter- make sure you’re checking some of those old glasses for lead! I know they are reasonably priced kits and can be useful to checking beautiful old kitchenware. I’d love to hear what your thrift haul is next week from the flea market! I spent 4 years in Amherst (ZooMass, anyone?) but never got out there. Maybe someday!
Oh yes!! For old glasses I just use them for flowers or decor, not to drink out of. Great point about lead testing!! I have some kits I have used and when in doubt I assume all the gorgeous stuff has lead 😂😂 Thank you so much, Kate!
Great job sticking with your No Buy! I am in a similar place-- having kind of fallen off the wagon in the past couple of weeks with some questionable purchases (maybe not technically breaking my rules but definitely breaking the spirit of the rules haha). I'm resolving to spend some time this weekend revisiting my No Buy Rules and re-committing to the spirit of the project. For me, this has been a season of some unexpected large expenditures and stress, and that always leads to me using purchases for a (temporary) boost.
Yeah I have gotten back into the "small treat for doing adult errands" culture, which in the grand scheme of things I think is fine! Like, life is hard sometimes so an iced coffee to soothe my soul is just what the universe ordered. The dopamine hit is real!
Amy Bauer, is everything ok? Have you stopped writing or am i missing the newsletter somehow? I so look forward to reading it….
This was such a joyful, grounding read—thank you for writing it with such care and clarity. I love how you frame secondhand treasure-hunting as both art and resistance. There’s something quietly radical about choosing intentionality in a world that constantly screams "newer, faster, now." Your Brimfield prep sounds like a pilgrimage in the best way, and the bit about vintage chamber pots as trash cans? That’s icon behavior.
You’ve inspired me to start keeping a little thrift list of my own (and to stop feeling guilty for loving the hunt). May the Goodwill gods bless your next basket find—this post was a whole vibe. 💛🛒🪄