Having been brought up as a bit of a Second-hand Rose I've never really worried about having the latest trend in anything. I first started rejecting the idea of buying new and using preloved,pre-owned items when I started looking more at the environment-especially with landfill. I had been using MSE a lot trying to cut costs at a time when I wasn't working or working only a few hours and although we were not in any financial difficulty I questioned what I was working "for".When is enough-enough? Do I need it? Do I really want it? Is it just something I fancy momentarily.
While on M.S,E, I came across many posts which mentioned Freecycle. What is this wonderful thing I wondered? I looked for a local one but unfortunately nothing close to me. At the time, my slowcooker had got broken-the lid had fallen out of the cupboard and that was the end of that. It was old anyway but nevertheless I missed it. I decided to join Freecycle and ask for one. I joined the Bristol group and picked up one 20 miles away on a trip to visit family. I have since passed it on to another grateful owner. If my memory is right-that was in the winter of 2005.
So-about 10 years ago I had a bit of an awakening-in many other ways too during that year.
The result was that in 2006 I decided to start my own Freecycle group on yahoo groups.
Freecycle no longer support these so I have now "gone it alone" with the group and my 7000 members.
I will tell you as we go along-how I am doing what I am today-but that was the first step to getting off the hamster wheel!
