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IT’S the ultimate rejection of modern consumerism.

Mother-of-one Bethan Brunell has become so disenchanted with the materialism of society that she’s decided to stop shopping completely – for an entire year.

The former recruitment consultant will forego everything apart from the essentials – food, fuel and toiletries – in the belief that opting out of impulse buying and retail therapy will lead to a more “soulful existence”.

Mrs Brunell, from Crumlin, near Newport, who’s blogging about her attempt to ditch consumerism, was inspired to take on the challenge after agreeing a £2 limit on Christmas presents with friends.

She said the self-imposed ban on excess made her thriftier and more resourceful as she turned £1-a-bag alpaca and mohair wool into treasured garments for friends.

And husband Steve’s old boxer shorts have now become a pair of pyjamas after being adorned with neatly stitched sequins.

She said: “I bought the wool on November 14 and didn’t have very much time so made them all scarves or wraps.

“They absolutely loved them and were flabbergasted with the amount of presents they got for £2.”

Mrs Brunell, 33, added: “That’s what started it and I thought giving presents is not really about how much money you spend – it’s about the effort you go to.”

But she admits her vow will not extend to preventing 15-year-old daughter Megan adding to her record collection.

Should the teenager decide she has to have the latest You Me At Six or Kids in Glass Houses CD, or see them in concert, mum will happily oblige.

“I don’t mind supporting music at all and especially the younger bands that she tends to be into.

“But if we buy music we’re going to try and buy it from a little independent record shop rather than HMV or iTunes.”

Mrs Brunell accepts that there is little need to buy anything other than food, fuel, toiletries and the occasional gift for the daughter.

She said: “That’s my point exactly – because I personally don’t see it as a great sacrifice, but people seem to be interested in the fact I want to do it at all in the first place. In the 1950s people didn’t go shopping as a sport, so that’s my point – you don’t need to be doing these things.”

But Mrs Brunell, who cares for disabled RAF veteran husband Steve, said the biggest difficulty was avoiding the temptation to splash out for the birthdays of loved ones – like that of a close friend who turns 34 this weekend.

She said: “Unfortunately her sport of choice is shopping as a celebration.”

Instead Mrs Brunell, who is buying food from a local co-operative she helps run, has something else in mind for busy single mum Lindsey Humphrey, who works as a lone-parent adviser for Newport City Council.

“I have planned her present already and it involves spending no money whatsoever.

“I’m actually going to give her a beautifully wrapped black bin bag. But because she’s a single mum who works an awful lot of hours the black bag is going to have a note on the top saying, ‘Fill me with ironing, phone me to collect it and I’ll drop it back to you a day later’.

“I know she would appreciate that more than another necklace she won’t wear.”

Mrs Brunell, who will use a sewing machine to make clothes during her experiment, says any money she saves may go on a honeymoon next year.

She and Steve, 40, who suffers from osteospondylosis (spinal arthritis) following an accident while serving in Afghanistan, did not take one after marrying in June of 2007.

Megan believes her mother will stick to her vow, but is questioning her sanity.

“I think she’s just lost her mind altogether. It may be the start of the New Year, but my God!

“I’m worried about my pyjamas and what she’s doing to them – she’s putting sequins on them too.”

You can read Bethan’s daily updates at www.consumerismliberationblog.blogspot.com/