Day 165
6th January 2009

Just realised that it is 200 days to go on the 1st year of Compacting! How have I done so far? Well I caved in and bought a new folding bike, but when the better weather comes I fully intend to get my moneys worth. Other things I have bought are a carbon monoxide detector, as the landlord (read social housing) has been playing around with the heating and failing to record that they have tested it. So under health and safety exceptions I bought the detector. It could save our lives one day!
I didn't do so well with Christmas, from memory, I bought a new fleece jacket for my Dad, some jeans, and aftershave. My BF got a remote control for his model car - not very Compacty. I had new shoes from my BF, which I chose and needed, as mine have almost got holes in! He also got me a DVD, usb video to usb converter and perfume.
My Dad bought me a wool coat, which he has taken back, as I didn't like it, so I will get the money for that when I see him again. My Aunty no. 2 got me a dressing gown from Primark which was 2 sizes too big and I already have 2 dressing gowns! So I took it back, I didn't have a receipt, so was made to feel terrible by the staff in Primark, so I fully intend not setting foot in the place again. Also it was voted 'most unethical place to shop' by Ethical Consumer. I exchanged it for 2 packs of socks and 2 packs of tights, so I have at least a years worth of socks! At least they are Compacty!
I had some Emma Bridgewater for my birthday, so Aunty no. 1 has completed the set for xmas. Not very Compacty, but I can't offend her ;-) OK I admit, I love it really! It has stars all over it. It is made in England too.
I did re-gift a few presents and saved on those, I have cleared out loads of stuff and taken it to the charity shop, more later.
Most of the gifts I bought new were Compacty, socks, shower gel, chocolates.
I have made a good start to the new year and I am keeping a spending log.
I aim to cut down on buying lunches, which got out of hand last year.
I have set myself the challenge of saving ten thousand pounds, which is probably unrealistic, but its a challenge.
My train fair has gone up by 40p per day so that is making a dent in the budget, but unless I end up car sharing with BF (if he gets promoted) then I am stuck with the delays and cancellations.
I have cleared out 5 carrier bags of stuff for the charity shop over the holidays and I am working on getting rid of 10 items a day challenge.
I have been doing quite a lot of reading over the holidays too, I have found that most toiletries contain preservatives called parabens, it is a good idea to avoid these chemicals as they act like oestrogen in the body and are thought to build up over long periods of use, there long term affect is unclear, but they are thought to be linked to some cancers.
So I set about finding what I had that contained them, all my BWC makeup has them in, my Original Source conditioner and to my surprise and dismay; Honesty uncented moisteriser! Lush's solid shampoo bars do not contain parabens, but do contain sodium laurel sulphate, I don't think this is a very good chemical either, but is found in most soaps. My Kingfisher toothpaste and Jason deoderant are paraben and SLS free. So it pays to do your research and read the ingredients list when looking for "green" and vegan toiletries. I have bought some Bio-D washing-up liquid, which should be greener than the other stuff from the supermarket, at least it is vegan and paraben free., also refillable.

Two xmas ago I was bought a candle kit, made from soya wax. It is a bottle of wax beads and wicks. You put a wick into a heatproof container and then poor in the beads, hey presto, instant candle. So I tried it and it works really well. It has the benefit of not being made from petro-chemicals.

I finally got my cashback from Quiddco, so saved 40pounds on my car insurance, so it pays to be patient.

I started the new year not wanting to buy coffee - £3 is crazy per cup! So I took my flask to work, on the 1st day back, the train was late, so I drank it. Yesterday, the train was on time so I left my flask in the bag and it leaked into the plastic bag I put it in, then out allover my rucksack, yuk! I will have to manage without my coffee today.