Making do

[msungs]

Great job. I am a lot like you myself. I make do with what I have. I wear unassuming clothing and see Christmas as a time to avoid because it has lost it's true meaning. I am proud you did it. I think I could do it minus the silver coins. I think if more people lived like you did for that year and in general the world would be a better place. I am American and the I left the US (one of the reasons is the politics, the Fed Bank, and the other is mass consumerism).

[TheCityBreeze]

That's really cool. I don't know if I'd be able to do something like that. Not that I have money to buy anything with anyways, but when I do I always end up buying overpriced crap that I never use.

The only problem I have with this is that if people don't buy things then the economy drops. But I do think people should not be so focused on getting the newest gadgets and just be content with what they already have.

-HV

[DanFrederiksen]

I like the do gooding attitude behind it but like some on the left who advocate we should drive less and all take the bus which is also well intentioned I think it's somewhat misguided when instead we could make ultra light and lean electric cars.

rather than restriction, simply change our production and usage to sustainability.

if products are made with windmill power, under healthy conditions, and can operate on windmill power and recycled on windmill power then isn't that better than a cave

[bobbyllew]

It' so interesting to come back and see this video 3 years later, and of course read all the comments. Amazing things people say, mostly very lovely and supportive. For those of you who can't be bothered to watch the rest of the series I made that year, I did manage to spend a whole year without buying anything other than food and medicine. It wasn't that hard to be honest.

[StormBlueChromie]

no way thats him off scrapheap challenge isnt it?

[ShushLorraine]

When I did a search for "making do" I thought I'd get some videos like the depression cooking lady, Claire teaching how housewives made do in the 30s and 40s. But, your videos were exactly what I was looking for. I knew right away that this is what I am going to do in 2010. I wish I had a camera to record it. I haven't uploaded anything, and since I won't be buying anything, with exceptions, I won't be buying a camera to record it here. O well. I am thankful for your record. :)

[Efanites]

By the biggest shopping mall in the southern hemisphere did you mean Chadstone shopping centre? It's in Melbourne ... at least I thought it was the biggest...

[evilferret132]

lol iv bought nothing

apart from 10p noddles every meal

iv never had a phone and have not had a tv in 4years i do have a laptop

i worked 60hours every week for £60

am not a imagrent i am pure british

altho i did buy some boots a year ago

[m1o2r3i4o5n]

i"ll like to see you eat

1 Year OLD CHEESE

mmmm yummy

crackers

[Andrewticus04]

You ask why Christmas has been consumerized. Christmas has become a secular holiday, mainly because it has been forced upon the non-Christian society. Of course the "meaning" of Christmas will be secularized and consumerized.

[infraredtechnician]

LOL....making do ive been doing that for 30 years,in most cases i have to build my own stuff from scrap,,,,hmmm scrap heap...well you get the idea because i dont want to waste money on some over priced gadget that can be replicated or home made for little or nothing..

[chapmjx]

He may not have bought it, but he would have still committed to a new 12 / 18 month contract. That's buying something. There no such thing as a free lunch. Sorry robert, I love you, but you sold out after a few days imo.

[kanenkitten]

he didn't buy it so he didn't compromise himself

haven't you read his book? (I haven't)

[bobbyllew]

@chapmjx I was sold out before I started, I am totally a part of the consumer society we all live in. I was never trying not to be. I still worked in 2007, I still travelled, bought food and medicine, I just didn't buy anything on top of that. Clothes, computers, books magazines, newspapers, nothing from Amazon, for a year. I didn't sell myself out on that, I stuck with it.

[mojangles28]

kind of a sad attempt

[hopebgood]

I'm just off to that massive Bluewater Centre, to make an offering at the Altar of the High Temple to the Church of Avarice.

[Thastidyinnih]

Great idea - Last new year I resolved not to buy any new clothes or shoes for the whole of 2008. Nine months later I am still sticking to it & finding it really easy actually, mind you I've always been a scruff :) There's loads of great advice on the internet about frugal living & money saving, Martin Lewis is my hero on the subject.

[shaunamus]

this man is a legend. loved him in red dwarf loved him in scrapheap challenge.

[conawillvlog]

your a legend man.. love this and all your work

[GhanDProductions]

with regards to the mobile phone....technically, the phone was never and never will belong to you. It was never yours in the first place. The Mobile Service provider ie Vodafone, O2, TMobile, Orange, "lease" the phones out to you.

[hotshot10009]

is that the guy from scrapheap challenge looks like him

[thestalkinghead]

yes that is the legend

[xHana666x]

I swear he looks and sounds just like that guy from an old discovery show junkyard wars.

[oisiaa]

Because it is.

[wjonesgr]

Oh, damn, another comment.

Robert.

Breathe deeply.

Imagine, for a moment, that the world was a place where it was possible to be...

enough....

[st8557]

I think these videos are brilliant.

[seandunx]

Does not an orgy mean "plenty fuckimg"? Sir, come up with a diffrent term.

[IluvGirXOX]

wtf is ur problem? Making DO? thats rtarted we dont wanna know about ur life.

[marinedalek]

You might not, but please don't presume to speak for everyone.

[cribcat1]

Christmas is about giving to whoever you can when they need it. Christmas is every day.

[bigboss4ever1]

ya it does jesus was born on christmas

[zomgomgomgz]

Christmas has nothing to do with Jesus or any of that bullshit.

[Rightnutter]

Please get help, you need it, and quick.

[JoyfulChristine]

But... if we all stop buying, the house of cards falls. Still, it's good training to get in shape for the hard times to come. Those of us who've learned to go without, do without, get more mileage out of, reduce, reuse, recycle won't be smacked quite as hard as those who are thoroughly addicted to rampant consumerism. Still, things will be hard all around, and we're all about to learn some lessons about what's more valuable than money -- like creativity, frugality, appreciation.

[deathcrunch]

You need a hobby ssrly.

[dogma2036]

So does this mean piracy is out of the question?

[deathcrunch]

Dogma is dogshit.

[warrencurrier]

Thanks for making this personal video and sharing it.

I feel that children can learn 'the art of delayed gratification' from their parents -- IF their parents understand (the power) of how it works.

Your experiment, no doubt, has made many people think about the difference between all of that plastic crap -- and a goat.

And then some people will never even have a clue what you are talking about.

Good stuff!!

[carlitozway57]

I've been "making do" for many years but I just call it being broke as shit.

[mililaniguy]

I've been doing this for 5 years, what's the big deal?

[currentnotice]

Mhm mhm mhm, and if EVERYONE did this, say good bye to what's left of the American economy!

[eXcommunicate1979]

The economy would evolve to suit.

[roadnate]

If the economy requires constant consumption by everyone, all of the time, then it isn't healthy and would have to change at some point anyway. The chickens will come home to roost at some point, as we may be seeing now with the economic crash, so why not do it now?

[angryDAnerd]

This is a really good idea...hmmm. I might give it a go...after I upgrade my ram on my computer. I'll fix the pressing problems I have now, then I'll try this! :D

[HaloFrisbee]

I just saw this for the first time, and i'd love to know if you actually made it thru 2007 w/o buying things.

[bobbyllew]

@HaloFrisbee I am proud to say I did.

[JonlEl]

I could do it except, no new food would make it hard for me.

[GLeNss]

SCRAPHEAP CHALLENGE!!!

[lazymornings]

WOW, it's you!lol, how cool is that, hope your well.

[ka0spm]

Just found this. Wow I have not seen how it comes out but way to go for trying. I have lived by this philosophy for years not because I am trying to prove a point but just have due to finances. The American media is nothing but more and more creative ways to make you think you need something new to have. It is madness and as it seems most have bought themselves into the madness. Buy used, recycle and make do. Have good friends because they are more important

[Sikosm]

Here in australia they've recently been showing Scrapheap Challenge (1999!!!) repeats. I'd never seen scrapheap challenge until a few days ago.

and it is all quite ironic, that a few days later Tallstevo made a video mentioning you and your channel. still can't believe the coincidence.

Scrapheap was funny. i saw the series final of 1999 with the walking machines. it was hysterical watching the machine collapse halfway to the end, and the other machine creep so slowly. tortoise and the hare!

[Sikosm]

haha im just thinking... i would have been about 9 yrs old then... lol. how time flies...

[davestrand]

Very exited to tune into Llewtube! Didn't know it existed till now. Oh yeah, I've been really big into buying things from local stores to try and boost the local economy. Plus they didn't have to truck the product across the country wasting gas. It's really easy, I just look at the label and pick wherever's closest. (Not for everything, mind you. Arizona doesn't make good Matzo.)

[twish1999]

TallStevo sent me!

I like 'making do', i was brought up to 'make do', i remember my mother sitting darning socks, who does that nowadays?

My car is 15 years old and well looked after and is still as good as new, my pram is 26 years old and shiny and gleaming just like new and i am still only on my 3rd mobile phone and would still be on my first only i lost it.

Maybe more people shopuld think like us :-)

x hugs x

[Sikosm]

hello twish :-) lol we just got a new tv this year, but the one we had before was like 20 years old or something like that lol!

we got a car in 2000, but we have another car that is still chugging along - and it is 25+ years old lol. it looks like it is held together with pieces of chewing gum lol

[Harwood12productions]

honestly comments like this just make you look more imature then you allready are if you got somthing to say, say it to there faces not through the internet.

[throttlejab]

BOY! "baicacatule" must be the new CEO of WALLMART,MABE TARGET.HAHAHA also for my comment,You do buy a new electric bill every month,dont You? how about Gas,Food,on and on,and what do the producers buy with Your money----- -new machinery! if Your going to stop then STOP! its like truck drivers whining about fuel--STOP!!!!!! not for a day,not for a week STOP FOR A MONTH!!LIVE IN A TENT! TENT CITY!!!!

[woolo]

People don't want to have to see your kind of comment, just plain rude, what are you 8?

[Dabby2]

Where's the red dwarf movie I've been waiting half my life to see?

[JamesMatthess]

This would be a real challenge. I have a disorder (self diagnosed) that makes me buy computer cables and gadgets I don't need and won't use.

[bigpapatube]

A great idea, many of us most likely buy too much. Have to say I am quite surprised, the thought of purchasing, trading, borrowing, a used mobile never occured to you!

[glendouglas2]

peopel wast things for nothing

if it works use it

its not about the money its the priseble of it

[glendouglas2]

big deal i go with out thing for years at a time, hell i never brought a coumputer

found all of my in garbage fix them

now iv got 6 thay all work! found two tv

32 42 sony fixed them borth work

got car lineing on the road fix it works

never brake down got truck fix it work never brakes down want phone sign up on the next get one free pay cards free $10 $20

gas cards cloths lol put in a bath tub for some one thay didnt want the old one took put in my house iv fixed ever thing and it works

[Mike45450]

It's just too bad you never found any grammar.

[RhettandLink]

nice wording

[BOHEM30]

UNA MENTIRA MAS

BOHEMIA

XX

[30mate]

i think hes cool :D

[samiziiee]

it was good and fun to and i finck you sond to mor videos

[TeaKuu]

... And you're from Canada? That sentence doesn't even make sence.. At all

[kkat5528]

GOD BLESS YA SOUL MATE

[teemuruskeepaa]

lolol

[virginiacondios]

Roight! Well done! P.S. JunkYard Wars wasn't the same after you left! Keep up the great work! Cheers!

[driftingtheworld]

certain cultures give away everything they own, to not be tied to it...

[aasunow]

we love chris martin

[PhuckSub4Sub]

great life you live...

[rajumina212121]

hot video

[Rightnutter]

My mum died 10 years ago, there is not a lot they can do to her now,, How sad these things are.

[grouchyguy]

I feel exactly the same as you Robert but the problem is that its so hard to find components. I have an old Roberts radio that needs fixing but before I get it through the door they want £25. I bought a new DAB for 30 quid. It was easy. Actually I'll probably get my old Roberts fixed, it has such great tone.

[Cheronimore]

So ein dummer Bock, ich versteh des net des englisch

[grouchyguy]

Well as his ID is bobyllew and his name is Robert Llewelyn.... take a stab in the dark!

[rashardkim]

I like the idea. It won't work, I mean come on, be real. Just buy less

[odakueffect]

The problem is that everything made these days is such rubbish that it can be fixed unlike stuff from just 20 years ego.

So much for the enviroment.

[ACT3D]

I gave up my cell phone years ago. I'm fine, I really am. WTF!?

[MathewDamonTheLemon]

fuck that. New stuff rules. support the economy.

[chr15cuddy]

I thought you were the guy from those bank commercials where his famous catch phrase is " save your money"

[thasimobont]

Hey Mate,

hi

This message is sent using JET Commenter.

[dogzbolox2]

Fair play to him, he makes a good point. Shame he did'nt buy some new razors before his new year resolution.

[dogzbolox2]

He is the guy from scrapheap challenge and he played Kryton in Red Dwarf.

[Kabuki0009]

Nice try butt, I wouldn't last, it sounds to much Like hard work to my like ;)

[yerty2000]

Bob - THROW THAT MAC AWAY!

[critickid55]

:(  :( :( SUCKS

[aliencrap]

It's only after you've lost everything that you're free to do anything.

[yerty2000]

Keep that hippy shit away from here.

You say that in the hope people will think you thought that up. Not that you saw it in Fightclub. Then you'll deny this comment because you're upset someone rumbled you.

[aliencrap]

Idiot. I did get it from Fight Club. Fuck off.

[bryanandrewlee]

Hahhaa, you got owned. That's hilarious but true. It's inevitable. Our economy, society, culture is built around consuming. We can't enjoy something that isn't new or others will think down on us.

[civillaser]

England for ever.

if without England enthusiasm,EU will get bored.

[JoesGuy]

Lol tops effort all the same Bobby. I might give this a shot......hopefully I can last longer than a week. XD

[JTD19881369]

batteries and food and stuff leik that .. cleaning producst are all ok .. i think .. you know he listed the stuff you shouldnt buy new ya know .. phones .. they they gave him a new one ... understandable .. they do that .. cars ... toasers that cook 18 slices .. ya know .. none of that for a year .. then .. the end of the year .. you go crazy right ?? ahaa ... my comments dont even make sence to me

[lumper12]

It's a gerat idea and I was dissapointed when I visited the website — there's nothing there! It's not about abstaining for a year, only to go crazy on day number 366. It's about a lifestyle change and gaining appreciation for all the junk we buy, most notably around the holidays, when we feel the need to just buy something...anything.

[SlaughterMcKill]

Try making do without electricity. I guarantee you that 98% of us, including myself, wouldn't last a month.

[wasabirock]

I wouldn't last 3 days.

[JayBlueToYou]

He's buying electricity, water, heating, and, if he's gonna keep filming, he'll need new batteries :P

[EDvining]

I would love to make do on the beach.

old razors are painful. thoroughly enjoy your shows on the science channel by the way.

[SmegHeadStudios]

hi robb big red dwarf fan you really didnt fail ur task at all with the phone they gave you a new phone you didnt buy it sounds like a nice idea not buying any new gadgets for a year would save me alot of money

oh i really like youre videos keep em coming

[bnprenaissance]

Pet Shop Boys lyric:

We live in a world of excess,where more is more and less is much less.

[csthundercat]

Alright Rob, love all your work mate.

Just thought ide mention that this year was the year I made do...and last year too. I havnt bought myself anything except bogroll and food for the last 2 years. maybe 2008 holds some cash for me but being a student I doubt it. ps. living in cave is bloody tempting.

[renatagrant]

Judith Levine did the same thing; her book 'Not Buying It-My Year Without Shopping' was published in 2006. Her personal account is also referenced to philosophy and economic theory and analyses the marketing tactics that keep us all dying to buy' Worth reading/inspirational.

[Magnulus]

This must be so difficult for you now with the new macs that have been coming out and the pretty new iPods! ^_^ I should definitely do this same thing myself... Does it include DVDs, though?!

[wereallyfixcars]

My family, the wife, kids and me, have been living like this for years. For us it's less a matter of choice. If we are to realistically save for retirement, conspicuous consumption is out of the question. Our home is made from salvage!

[robmacU777]

am i right to presume when

your self imposed spending

sanctions are abolished on

January 1st, will you then go

on a consumerist binge. Similar

to that of a fat man in a pie factory.

[Captwildbill]

This is an impossible task, you're undermined on day one. You have to buy new food, so new packaging, unless you're not going to eat for a year? Toilet roll, toothpaste, soap, tax disc for your car, petrol, shampoo, etc The list goes on and on. It can't be done! It's a nice publicity stunt, I'll give you that.

[bobbyllew]

The concept, which I duscuss in other posts, is that I stop buying non essential consumer goods for one year. Food, medicine is fine, which has to include toothpaste and soap for me. Other tnan that I have bought nothing, not even a newspaper. It started out as anything but a PR stunt, it still isn't.

[robmacU777]

robert Llewellyn is a lucky, moderately funny, middle class posh bastard.

He's probably so loaded he could buy the welsh village that bears his name.

Llewellyn writeing a book on making do is like henry VIII jotting down in his

diary how he felt sorry for all the animals he feasted on to extinction.

[bobbyllew]

Thanks, I agree with you more or less totally, although, ironically, and it has nothing to do with making do, at the moment I couldn't even afford to buy the sign that points to the village that bears my name, by the way, where is that? I j

might save up

[bitesizerecords]

this is great!

[PolishCringle]

Making do Im a student and I can "make do" on £8 a week you know that people in the uk alone chuck away about 2000 mobile phones every hour tut tut

[charlesfrith]

I really like this effort. But i'm also curious about where this was filmed?

[bobbyllew]

Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

[MRMIdAS2k]

Its fine, you didn't BUY the phone, they GAVE it you.

That's charity right there.........

[legmotproductions]

Hey, Rob, if you manage to catch this comment, what computer do you have? I know you have a Mac, I can see from the iMovie editing :D. But which model? I'd just like to know, thanks!

[bobbyllew]

Yes, I use a 24 inch iMac, best computer I have ever had. Usually edit on final cut, but might have done this on iMovie. Can't remember

[legmotproductions]

Thanks! I'm stuck with a damn slow PB G4 Titanium and use Final Cut Express.

[Etorathu]

I've been watching back through your whole archive because right now I'm having a lazy Saturday afternoon and I subscribed just to keep track of how the 'making do' project works out. It's such an awesome concept, keep it up.

[Ichimatogahn]

Man thats a great idea,I dont think I could do it myself..I have a real weakness for dvd's and computer games lol. I'm a fan of Red Dwarf by the way, you rocked in that...its a shame that the feature film was never made.

[Failtelorn]

What a great idea! I could do with less of the new myself...don't know if I can cut it out totally, but I can certainly cut back...

[TraitorX]

Hey Dude!

firstly, you are a legend! Massive Red Dwarf Fan Here!

secondly, you are so right! buying new stuff is really tempting. you didnt buy the phone, so ur ok =D!

its awesome 2 see you on here!

Sam

(TraitorX)

[Unity30]

I think it's wonderful what you're doing and here's to cheering you on! You've made me pause and think about how I live. It's always nice to hear about people who are trying to live consciously instead of submitting to mindless consumerism... although I do love Starbucks caramel macchiatos... hmm.... (lol)

And what crosses my mind is a favorite quote:

The Art of living consists in knowing which impulses to obey and which impulses must be made to obey.

[Natemp32]

I totally agree! I can't help but having the latest of whatever it is! I haven't purchased anything this year so far! I think of this video before I think about buying anything now....Inspiring work! Thanks!

[siskygod]

What an excellent bit of "aging hippy philosophy". Perhaps, to give you some moral support, all of your subscribers should give it a go - irrespective as to what degree of success they acheive. I think that any anti-consumeristic behaviour would give people a moment ("at a shop near you!") to wonder..."do I really need that?"

[robburriss]

good god, this is a great idea. It really takes the 'half-arsedness' out of it. By that I mean, I've been trying to do my bit by recycling for a while, but only recently have I been questioning whether every single thing I chuck away could be recycled. Now I recycle much more than I used to, and it's no more difficult. Buying less probably wouldn't work, but buying NOTHING is bound to! Good luck, Bobbie!

[VinceRocksMySocks]

i dont think it counts if they GAVE you one....

i wonder how much you'd save if you didnt buy anything for a year? probably loads. good luck with it anyway!

[KeeperOfTheGood]

I think its, concept wise, an interesting idea. Very Buddhist. Realistically, I did have a Buddhist friend that spent a year as a minimalist. :C that did include not using soap when he bathed. He was, to me, intensely unhappy, or at least, not conceivably happy to me, as he owned only the cloths on his back, and what little food he had in his fridge, a mat for a bed, and a book or two. :/ literally, no other clothing, furniture, non of that.

[pendo86]

So does that also mean not buying soaps, deoderants, etc...?

[zombiekitty666]

first off - from the side your new phone looks a bit like an after 8 mint secondly, good luck with the project.

I don't buy a lot of new stuff either, and I think my friends are ashamed to be seen with me when I wear some of my old tops, but I couldn't keep it up for a whole year - Got a bit of a slight weakness for DVDs

[TheElectricWeasel]

c'td Btw... dude, I don't think it's probably actually (completely) possible to not buy anything new in our modern-day Western lifestyle. Well, some of us poor people are nearer to that than others lol! Maybe people should just give their extra money to those that need it... I always wonder why rich people don't do that. And why billionaires don't pay off 3rd world debt... the mind boggles!

[GryphinWarrior]

Hmm... interesting concept... but I think anyone with half a developed mind can see past the consumerism. But unfortuantly, the masses DON'T. I asked several people what is the point of buying and decorating a tree. No one gave me a reasonable answer. Someone went into the whole history of how it came to be. But that still does not have anything to do with WHY you still have it. It is complete and utter madness.

[richw4]

You are going to have a very long beard if you can't buy any new razors (only jesting)

[wheatbearing]

he could get a used straight-razor, i've heard of prisoners shaving w/ sharpened spoons

[NorthernRose]

robert, we'll have to check up on you making sure you haven't bought anything :) good on you!

[ellsvill]

I swear that if you can do that you need a medel. however if your webcam breaks then you have permission to buy a new one..

[hypnorm]

Good idea - i could never do it !!