The trouble with trying out an experiment where the intention is not to do something is that if successful, there is very little to write about. I could sum up succinctly how I haven’t been clothes shopping and how I haven’t been to Ikea – there, I just did.

Suffice it to say that thus far my experiment is working. The only new things I have bought have been food, newspapers and nappies. I know, I could buy a set of second-hand real nappies from ebay, but at two and a quarter my twins will hopefully not get much usage out of them. And I suppose I could also get my media fix free from the local coffee shop or off the seat of the bus, but that would take more effort than I have time so I will be buying new and ofsetting my purchase by using it as wrapping paper.

What I have managed to do is purge my house of two estate car-loads of junk. One load went to the tip, and the other is going towards protecting cats (not my first choice of charity, but the only shop that has a parking space right outside).

I have also acquired an oven dish from my sister-in-law and a pair of trousers from ebay. My current challenge is trying to find a smart suit for some meetings I have next week. In my village there is a rather natty little dress agency selling good quality second-hand clothes so I paid them a visit in the hope that they could fulfil my power-dressing needs. Alas they could not, but it wasn’t for the want of the sales assistant’s efforts. Not only did she bring me suits and separates, but she also plied me with coffee, compliments, and an armful of garments I wasn’t even looking for.

Unfortunately for her my resolve held firm and I could not be tempted into buying the metallic velvet shrug she insisted would suit my frame and my complexion. So I left the shop empty handed, and the assistant wishing she hadn’t tried so hard.

But I still need a smart suit, and if I lose the auction this evening I’ll be raiding my friends’ wardrobes over the weekend. Failing that I will be forced to admit defeat and venture into town. I’m keeping everything crossed it won’t come to that. I will, of course, keep you posted.

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