Steve Clark

Spending a whole year buying nothing new was the starting point for my personal sustainable living journey, so it should come as no surprise that I’m a bit of a fan! If you’re thinking you might like to dip your toes into the wonderful world of Buying Nothing New, here are some tips to get you started! 1) If the thought of a year Buying Nothing New is making you feel a little trepidatious (I assure you you will find it easier than you think!) then why not  ease in slowly , with a Buy Nothing New week, or month. Or aim to do a day every week, or a week every month and see how it goes. I am a bit of an all or nothing type, so for me it was easier to commit to the whole year, but I guarantee that the very act of Buying Nothing New even for some of the time, will make you reflect more on the ‘normal’ purchases you are making. And you may find that you automatically cut down on what you are buying new without even thinking about it. 2)   Avoid the shops! For example-one of the thin...

I go pretty in depth into my personal style and shopping philosophy in this post , but here I wanted to share a few practical ways I’ve made thrifted items the foundation of my wardrobe over the years. Here’s a few pointers to thrift like a pro: Create a wish list in your head for certain items and bring it with you to the thrift store. Smaller or charity-ran thrift stores generally have better deals and contribute to a good cause. Know what you like . Go through your current closet, or better yet your Pinterest board, to see what shapes, colors, materials, etc. suite you best. Browse efficiently by keeping an eye out for color first and fabrics second. For example, I love neutrals. So, when I’m thrifting I’ll do a quick pass, only stopping at colors I’d wear. Then I look at the fabric. I avoid anything that looks or feels cheap (think the stretchy, polyester thin fabric that’s continually see-through and looses it’s shape within an hour from Forever 21). Look outside your typical ...

Thrift shopping is a lot of fun. You can find something for everyone at the thrift stores and the affordable prices are sure to make your wallet smile. There are many other benefits of thrift shopping as well that improve your daily life. Here is how thrifting can improve your life. Save Money Of course, everyone wants to save money. With extra savings, you can afford more things: a new vehicle, vacations, more clothes, etc. Buying designer clothes and other items at extremely high prices is a serious drain on your wallet. By shopping at the thrift store, you can save a lot of money, and sometimes you can find the exact designer item you want at a much lower price. Unique Style Thrift stores have a unique collection of items, especially clothes. If you want to personalize your style, the thrift store is one of the best places to go. You can find vintage, modern, trendy, and all different types of fashionable clothing at the thrift store. The best part is you can create unique outfits w...

Budgeting is a difficult process for many people. Sometimes, it can mean totally cutting out that extra spending you’ve been doing for years—no more coffee shop coffee in the mornings, and no more weekly shopping trips. Though it’s important for us to outline a budget and stick to it, there are ways to still get in those things we enjoy while simultaneously trimming our budget. When it comes to shopping, trimming the budget can mean various things—shopping less, buying less, and checking out the sales section more. However, one of the best ways is by buying items previously owned. In fact, there are quite a few items you’re better off buying secondhand. I have them listed below—trim your budget, get the things you need, all for a fraction of the typical price! Books Though you may miss the crisp smell of a brand-new book, used books and textbooks are a much smarter choice. Digital books have soared in popularity over the past few years, and because of that, secondhand stores are bursti...