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Compact 2010! - Page 2

post #21 of 111
12/19/09 at 11:42pm
I think we're going to do this.

Ours will come with some caveats, though.

We love IKEA and we were planning on going soon (like next month) and the kids were really looking forward to it, too. So we might leave that one IKEA trip in.

Also we would allow Etsy purchases.

We are still ironing the kinks out. I'm kind of scared but excited.

The main thing is I have always looked forward to the day when I could afford to buy things like curtains and bedspreads from Target and IKEA so my house could be nicely decorated. Next year we would finally be able to afford that, but buying them used is hot or miss, buying them handmade is too expensiveness for us, and I can't really sew (plus it's more expensive to make it myself.)

Well, we're figuring it out. Whatever we do would be better than we did this year (or ever!)
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post #22 of 111
12/21/09 at 2:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by LionTigerBear View Post
The main thing is I have always looked forward to the day when I could afford to buy things like curtains and bedspreads from Target and IKEA so my house could be nicely decorated.
hey, those are necessities! and by doing the compact, maybe 'the day' will come a little bit sooner. i thrifted our bedding and made our curtains, but there are things i buy that other people probably think is crazy for me to spend money on when i could make/do it myself. the thing is, every person is not good at (or not interested in) doing everything, and our time is a valuable resource too, so my thoughts are to just be gentle with yourself and do what makes sense for your family!
post #23 of 111
12/21/09 at 2:53pm
Awww, thanks, doubledutch, that makes me feel much better!
post #24 of 111
12/21/09 at 5:14pm
I think I need to try this again. I did it for the better part of a year a while back. I found living the compact gave me a great sense of purpose. I tend to shop when I am depressed, which is a lot because of unhappy life/living circumstances. I sometimes find if I try to focus on other things, I can become more creative and maybe this is just what I need to get more enjoyment out of life again.

A big problem is the kids as I find it hard to say no, especially around holidays . DH is also resistant to the idea in theory, but doesn't seem to mind in practice. We already live like this most of the time.

Another problem is I live in a poor area so thrift stores are heavily picked over by the vultures. I almost never find clothes for me second hand (I am very overweight) and shoes are a joke. I bought my first pair of boots recently because I was tired of sandals in the snow, lol!

So this will be interesting. I am also trying hard to eat locally so all these challenges should keep me busy, lol!
post #25 of 111
12/21/09 at 5:35pm
I have always wanted to try this, but I have to admit I am a bit scared. I am going to think about my exceptions (hopefully keeping them to a minimum) and post them here before the end of the year.
post #26 of 111
12/21/09 at 6:12pm
Hello!

I did a full compacting year in 2008, and have unofficially compacted since. I have to say, it was one of the best experiences of my life!

Here is my thread with the details of my year: http://mothering.com/discussions/sho...hlight=compact

I'm subbing, compacting, and cheering everyone on!
post #27 of 111
12/22/09 at 12:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bwylde View Post
Another problem is I live in a poor area so thrift stores are heavily picked over by the vultures. I almost never find clothes for me second hand (I am very overweight) and shoes are a joke. I bought my first pair of boots recently because I was tired of sandals in the snow, lol!
that would make me so sad! is there a certain brand of clothes you love and feel good in? you might be able to find it used online. i have a favorite pair of jeans - not just the brand but the cut/style - that i love because i always know they'll fit and look good. we don't even have that store anymore where i live, but i find them on ebay slightly used for $10.

now, the boots? boots are a necessity!
post #28 of 111
12/22/09 at 2:29pm
Adding what I said in an update post, but think it makes sense to be listed in my intro post, since it explains my list of exceptions.

I won't do well with rules that say I can only buy this or that, I need more fluid principles to live by or I will flat out fail, so this is what I came up with:
(although it probably does not match up with the original definition of compacting)

Ultimately, my goal is to obtain what we are looking for mindfully and responsibly (repurpose, repair, do without, freecycle, craigslist, thrift stores, local stores, online, buy new).

When making purchases, choose long lasting quality items after researching the process of manufacturing, to be conscious of how us purchasing the item are affecting others and the environment.

Maintain our possessions at the level where we are happy taking care of the things we own, and are only spending our time managing the things we love or that helps our home function efficiently.

Because I am at the point where my house is pretty much decluttered of items we don't need/want/use, I am ready to shift my focus to creating a home, one carefully chosen item at a time. (Decorating plans: make curtains, braid rugs, grow plants, hang pictures, have quilt made).
post #29 of 111
12/22/09 at 3:25pm
Subbing, thanks!
post #30 of 111
12/22/09 at 8:43pm
Subbing!
post #31 of 111
12/23/09 at 9:33pm
Im in! I think that instead of shopping, I will substitute something healthy - like going to the gym. So both me and my savings account will be healthy at the end of 2010.
post #32 of 111
12/25/09 at 1:44am
Ohh I totally have been wanting to do this... We're going to be moving by summer of '10 though and since most of our stuff is pretty much crap and not worth taking, most of it will get replaced. There are lots of things I don't mind buying used, but some things I'm a squeamish about (like couches and beds). So I guess the best I can do is be as mindful about it as possible and only buy new things when I have to. Plus if I donate a lot of things, that cancels out some of the new stuff, right? Either way, our new home will be as simplified as possible. I'm such a horrible house keeper, I NEED simplicity.
post #33 of 111
12/26/09 at 6:16pm
I find that if I vow to buy "nothing new" (except food, sanitary stuff), I get scared of the time it will take me to find it used. I don't have a lot of time (or patience) (or desire) for thrifting, searching online, etc. I've never been a great bargain hunter--I hate shopping and I feel like I get sucked into wasting time online. But I think the discipline of not buying new stuff, esp. random stuff for the kids, would be great, for simplifying my life and making me more conscious of wants vs. needs.
I want to come up with something doable and not scary, and maybe make it just for January. Kind of tentative, but it's a first step...
post #34 of 111
12/26/09 at 7:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MonkeyPrincess View Post
I am ready to commit.

I am going to think about my personal little list of "rules", etc. although I'm sure once I'm actually doing it, I will change things up a bit a few times in order to find what works best.
After thinking about this, I have decided that I won't really have a list of what I am allowed or not to buy and where. I will need to mull over any purchases I may want to buy new for a specific period of time, exploring the pros and cons to all options.
post #35 of 111
12/27/09 at 8:02pm
I have started my list of exceptions. So far it is quite short. Hopefully I won't add too much between now and Thursday. I am going to use this thread to keep myself accountable.
post #36 of 111
12/28/09 at 3:31am
Quote:
Originally Posted by celerydunk View Post
Im in! I think that instead of shopping, I will substitute something healthy - like going to the gym. So both me and my savings account will be healthy at the end of 2010.
OMG, what a brilliant idea!! I find that I get in the most trouble when I am bored; I take Toby to a store so we are both entertained, and then I find stuff we just NEED, you know how it is. Going to the gym (or on a walk, or whatever) would totally be an awesome substitute!

I also need to work on not taking my debit card into the mall if we are just going there to go to the play area.

I am going to try this. I find it gets harder for me in February and then I basically fall off the wagon for the year because I forget what I am supposed to be doing, so let's keep this thread going!

My exceptions:
--Food/gas/toiletries, necessary household purchases like cat food, cleaner stuff, etc.
--One week's worth of clothes for Toby once summer hits and/or he outgrows his current wardrobe, and necessary clothing items once winter hits next year. But I have to sell his outgrown wardrobe on eBay first, and try not to spend more than I make.
--Max of 4 gifts per birthday, 1 for other occasions (Easter/Father's Day etc)
--I am hoping to lose a buttload of weight this year, so clothes for me will be tricky. I think I will try to make do as much as I possibly, possibly can, and buy clearance/thrift stuff for the in-between weights when I can't make do.

Man, I really suck at not bringing stuff into my house. Let's hope this compact thing can stick with me!
post #37 of 111
12/28/09 at 9:04am
I really like the idea of month long commitments. It gives me the chance to renew and feel good about that. It also makes me think that this is short term and most things can wait (until they don't happen).

A word of warning on the new uses of time: It can be a new world of wants that trigger purchases. This isn't all bad but if you really get into your workouts there can be all sorts of little things that call to you to make them better in some way. I wasn't prepared for this aspect of it. I'd rather buy new running shoes (and tights and socks and...) than another something I already have and don't really need but I struggled with my love of gear.
post #38 of 111
12/28/09 at 11:56am
I'm so in! I lasted for about 6 months last year and then had to stop because we were traveling back home to visit family. I went crazy shopping for myself while I was there. And regret it big time, because I shopped for the sake of shopping. KWIM? I'll join you all in compacting for 2010 and hopefully I can do it for one full year...

What I'll buy new - shoes, socks, undies, grocery, medicine, supplements, gifts.

Everything else used..
post #39 of 111
12/28/09 at 12:06pm
I will join doing 2 week increments. I need short term goals in order to hit longer ones (kind of like breastfeeding, 4.75 years later).

Anyways, I intend to start making skirts this year so fabric, zippers, thread, and buttons (unless I can scrounge some) will be allowed.

I will work on local vs. commercially available. I'm just not sure I can justify the cost at this time.

I need to work on my getting to my healthy weight as well, and am not sure where that will lead me. Will try to avoid the gear trap by a pp.

Liz
post #40 of 111
12/28/09 at 1:18pm
my exceptions:
groceries and medications. this does not include soda (take warning, dh!). it does include recycled tp & paper towels (our dog is a frequent barfer), dipes & wipes although i'd love for ds2 to potty-learn any day now, and cleaning supplies. the original post on the compact blog says cleaning products are okay but not equipment, like a vacuum - something for me to keep in mind! i'd like to stop buying dryer sheets, but i currently have a couple of partial boxes so i'll use those up for now.
toiletries. i'm transitioning to no 'poo. however, dh looooves shampoo, and i love my dr bronner's soap, and we use toothpaste. toothbrushes, too. not much else, but i don't think i can give up my daily q-tip.
socks and undies. actually, i just bought ds1 a 10-pack of socks, and i've been sewing my own undies. the kids don't need undies. neither does dh. he and i probably need socks though.
candles. yes, seriously. it's a small luxury i'm not interested in going without. i don't have a fireplace, so candles are a must in my world.
batteries.

dh typically buys one cd per week. i'm not forcing him to do this with me, obviously, but i'm encouraging him to buy used or mp3 when possible. sometimes there is something he desperately wants the day it comes out, and i understand that, but he says most of the time, he could wait a week and there will be a used copy available.

does anyone have ideas for baggies, tinfoil, plastic wrap, etc? obviously i have some food storage containers and i wash/reuse containers from the grocery store too, but i use baggies or plastic wrap for cheese, i use gallon ziplocks to keep produce fresher, use tinfoil in the freezer . . . i suppose if i get in the habit of washing/reusing and trying to use it less, then i probably won't run out.