Compacting Mommas? - Page 18

[Delight]

Originally Posted by momaste

I fell off the wagon! I bought a roasting pan. I didn't have one, and I have an enormous pumpkin to roast, plus the first Thanksgiving that I'm hosting is coming up and I'll need something to cook a turkey in. I went to Target to buy Halloween candy and it was all shiny on the end cap. I was weak. Okay, it's like those "Days without an incident" things hanging in dangerous work zones; I'm back to zero! But I did go 2 1/2 weeks in between. And I'm pleased with the roasting pan and feel like it was a useful purchase. I should have tried to find one used, though, first.

Admitting it is the first step. Jump back on the wagon mama...it's warm and cozy in here

[kathirynne]

Originally Posted by bendmom

Rachel Ashwell's philosophy is fine, but the stuff that goes with her philosophy is spendy! Because her decorating style is so popular, you can't find things that follow her design for a decent price. I have spent years collecting vintage chabby chic things, plates, linens, rugs, furniture, etc. Most things that people sell that they can say it's shabby chic ends up costing more than a new item at Pottery Barn. I think her philosophy is great, but trying to follow it is costly. Now I don't want this stuff any more but don't know what to do with it all!

"Shabby Chic" stuff is definately spendy! : I mostly meant her thoughts about reusing old things, and buying used rather than new.

P.S. If you really don't want your Shabby Chic stuff anymore, maybe we should talk.

[Delight]

Before we were Compacting, if we needed something....I would tell Bella that I needed to go to Target to get it. So, after awhile, when we needed something, she would beat me to it and say "I need to go to Target!" Whenever we drove by one, she would see the big red bullseye and yell "There's Target!".

It only took a few explanations of how we aren't going there anymore, but now she happily exclaims "I'll get it at the thrift store!" Oh how I love little, moldable minds! Compact my sweet child! Compact on!

[Bex80]

Originally Posted by kellid

My dh is giving me a fit. He always has to play devil's advocate and it drives me crazy. He's not doing the compact and I just have to come to grips with that and realize it's my problem if I have a problem with it. He asked me if I realized that if this movement took a better hold that he would be out of a job. And I said I hadn't thought about it that way, and kinda shrugged it off. And he was like, I can't believe you so non-shallant about where our livelihood comes from. And I told him that it was a good thing if this movement took a better hold and that if he lost his job it would be OK, that he is a very intelligent person and that he would find another job that wasn't affected by shrinking footprints. He was pretty frustrated. Me too.

I think my dh might be related to your dh. He fights me on *everything* I do that's new/progressive. Well, mainly plays devil's advocate, but it feels like such a chore to present a well researched argument to him that I usually give up and just do it on my own quietly.

[kellid]

Originally Posted by Bex80

I think my dh might be related to your dh. He fights me on *everything* I do that's new/progressive. Well, mainly plays devil's advocate, but it feels like such a chore to present a well researched argument to him that I usually give up and just do it on my own quietly.

I hate to say it, but it is really nice to know I'm not the only one that has that trouble.

It's really good to see people falling off the wagon then getting back on. I think it will coax more people to join, seeing that it is realistic.

[saras]

Hello all! I've been lurking on this thread (and MDC) for a while, and wanted to finally say hello and thanks for all the inspiration!

Our family lives a pretty "compacty" lifestyle. My husband is the original dumpster diver and garage sale king; the motto in our family is "let Mike know what you want, and he'll get one at the "side of the road store" for you. The Universe does have a way of meeting his needs!

As several others have said, pre-holidays is a difficult time to commit fully to the Compact, if you haven't been planning for it for a while. You all have inspired me, though, to sit down with the big gift-givers in our family and talk about giving some experiences (eg. museum memberships, etc.) instead of more stuff the kids don't really need.

Anyhow, thanks for all the inspiration!

[Mom2Wilmo]

Oh I am trying to be good. I have not bought anything-yet. It's just that these toy catalouges (Rosie Hippo's, Magic Cabin, Nova Naturals) keep being sent to my house and I want to buy my kids the cool toys!! So far I have resisted but I tell you ladies I am not strong when it comes to toys.
I also wanted to add that thanks to my careful consumption of all things (food, gas) and compacting we had $270 left over from this paycheck. I could not believe it. It has always seemed before that we are living paycheck to paycheck. Shows how muc money I was spending by not being mindful.

[momaste]

I need a new calendar refill. I've been using a Franklin Covey binder
and mine was destroyed last month in a freak baby accident (he pulled
out and chewed on a bunch of the pages!) Calendars can't especially be
purchased used, right? Would a calendar refill be a reasonable
exception?

I am no longer in the professional world and don't necessarily need the
set up that I had before, but I do need somewhere to keep track of
appointments and my to-do list. A space for menu planning for the week
would also be helpful. Any ideas?

***

I deposited our paychecks today and paid bills. After last month's lack of buying, I had an extra $350 for savings. Yay!! I redid our budget and have more than $400.00 that I anticipate will be going toward savings next month. I'm looking forward to building up a cushion, since we've been living paycheck to paycheck without much in reserves for emergencies. Our ING Direct savings account is now paying 4.40% interest and I feel good about the amount that is growing steadily.


***

Mom2Wilmo, those catalogs kill me! I want all the adorable wooden toys for me, not to mention DS! I have been calling the catalogs to be removed from the mailing list. It's so sad to see all the stuff I want and then feel deprived, when I'm not feeling the deprivation before opening my mailbox.

[Malva]

Originally Posted by momaste

I am no longer in the professional world and don't necessarily need the
set up that I had before, but I do need somewhere to keep track of
appointments and my to-do list. A space for menu planning for the week
would also be helpful. Any ideas?

How about something you make on the computer and print? I'm sure there are free calendar pages somewhere on the net.

[kathirynne]

Compacting triumph!

I just wanted to share my little success.

I had to go to Costco for work last evening, and I saw a 20-piece set of Pyrex "bake & store" containers (the kind with the blue plastic lids). I really wanted to buy them. (I have one that I bought at the charity shop, and I love it for "feeding the freezer". I could definately do with a 20-piece set! )

But I didn't buy it. I walked away, telling myself to just keep an eye out for second-hand ones, and that if I still wanted it in a year's time, I could buy it.

Whew! It was tough, but I managed it.

[abclan]

Just wanted to give you all a big hug and for educating and inspiring all us wannbes!

I've been learning and thinking a lot as I read this thread. My husband and I are talking about our consumerism and rethinking a few things. Little things do make a difference!

Much gratitude and respect to all you Compacters!:

[anthasam]

DH and I decided to wait until Jan to make a commitment. However, we are going to test run the Compact starting now.

So far, so good. We made our once-a-week dinner purchase from a locally owned restaurant.

DH, however, needs to travel for work and therefore buy some meals when he is out of town.

[Mavournin]

I think I need to join this thread too!

There are things I've been only buying used for a long time - like kids clothes. Which at this point I refuse to buy new. With the exception of shoes, underpants and when we have a need that cannot be filled by thirft stores. (Like when my Dd was a flower girl and needed a particular dress.)

I've seriously cut back on the trips to Target, but have replaced them with trips to Costco. This generally is helpful because I buy food there as well, but I have a hard time staying out of the book and DVD aisles...

[HipGal]

I *almost* fell of the wagon yesterday! I actually had a pair of jeans and a sweater in my online shopping cart. I think I was weak because I just got back from the dentist and was feeling crabby. But, I got tough with myself and thought, "hey, I can keep checking the thrift store until I find the jeans (tall is sometimes hard to find) and a sweater. Come on!" So I closed the window. Whew!

[HipGal]

Oh, I need help with ideas for two things:

- shoe polish

- hair color


Normally I wouldn't care too much about either, but I'm matron-of-honor in a friend's wedding on Saturday, so I want to look nice for her!

[chasmyn]

Originally Posted by kathirynne

I just wanted to share my little success.

I had to go to Costco for work last evening, and I saw a 20-piece set of Pyrex "bake & store" containers (the kind with the blue plastic lids). I really wanted to buy them. (I have one that I bought at the charity shop, and I love it for "feeding the freezer". I could definately do with a 20-piece set! )

But I didn't buy it. I walked away, telling myself to just keep an eye out for second-hand ones, and that if I still wanted it in a year's time, I could buy it.

Whew! It was tough, but I managed it.

Good for you!!!

Originally Posted by Mavournin

I think I need to join this thread too!

There are things I've been only buying used for a long time - like kids clothes. Which at this point I refuse to buy new. With the exception of shoes, underpants and when we have a need that cannot be filled by thirft stores. (Like when my Dd was a flower girl and needed a particular dress.)

I've seriously cut back on the trips to Target, but have replaced them with trips to Costco. This generally is helpful because I buy food there as well, but I have a hard time staying out of the book and DVD aisles...

It IS tough! And you can do it - we believe in you! Our library rents DVDs, does yours? I know it's not quite the same, but it's a thought.

Okay, Mamas, now I get to ask for support :

We're driving up to Vancouver this weekend to check out the cohousing community we're going to move into and see our new house! :

We're staying in the Common House guest suite and I'm not sure if we'll have access to the kitchen or not, but I *think* we will. In fact, I am going to email and find out for sure so I can plan accordingly. We're not allowed to being meat or plant matter across the border, but there are grocery stores in which we can shop while we are there, of course. So hopefully we'll be able to make al og our food. Wish me luck and a smooth Compacting Vancouver visit

[heathenmom]

Originally Posted by momaste

I need a new calendar refill. I've been using a Franklin Covey binder
and mine was destroyed last month in a freak baby accident (he pulled
out and chewed on a bunch of the pages!) Calendars can't especially be
purchased used, right? Would a calendar refill be a reasonable
exception?

I am no longer in the professional world and don't necessarily need the
set up that I had before, but I do need somewhere to keep track of
appointments and my to-do list. A space for menu planning for the week
would also be helpful. Any ideas?

PM'ing you!

[Erin+babyAndrew]

I'm jumping in here. I started yesterday and am really excited to do this! I found this thread at the perfect time too. Monday night I started with a purge of clothing and toys and kitchen items that I donated yesterday. I am hoping to be clutter free and living with only what we need within a few weeks. I'm also excited to watch our savings grow!

[weliveintheforest]

Hi!
We are planning to star the compact offically on Dec 1, although we already buy much of our stuff used. It will be hard for me not to eat out, and I am really looking forward to conquering that. As for the holidays we have already let people know we don't want to do gifts for anyone but the little ones this year so hopefully that goes smoothly

[celestialdreamer]

My update: Its been 3 weeks of "Compacting" and our family is doing very well. I've had one big oops moment of "needing" to buy my dd a Halloween costume the day before Halloween because I didn't have time to finish the one I was making (long story). Then while DH & I were buying the costume I got sucked into buying dd 2 shirts and 2 pairs of pants that were on clearance (which she really does need, but not new ones). Target is like shopping crack I swear! I go in there and feel such an intense urge to buy stuff.

I went to my knitting group last night and when we were done with knitting the group headed to the Target across the street. I knew it was "dangerous" for me but I think I did pretty well. When we gathered around the half price Halloween costumes, I picked up an adorable Mermaid costume in my dd's size, that she would love for dressup, then remembered the Compact pledge and put it back. Well, actually I should say I started to take it to buy and then remembered I couldn't...then flung it back at the other costumes I made my friends promise not to let me buy anything after that! I was very, very, very tempted to buy this wooden farm toy set that was on sale for a Christmas present for my farm-obsessed dd, but my friend told me "go home and if after thinking about it, you still want it, then come back for it". She was right, by the time I got to the car I knew that even though it would be something she'd really like, I can find other Compact-friendly things instead. My kids don't need lots of stuff for Christmas anyway and I'm already making them a few small gifts. For me this project has been a real lesson in finding contentment in what I already have and what I can create myself. This morning I took some scrap fabric, stale beans and rice out of the back of the pantry and made beanbags for my dd. She has been playing with them all morning and I literally made them out of what could have been trash!

Oh, and we did get a new to us minivan (which was planned purchase, and very much needed) last week. It is 5 years old but has lots of bells and whistles so it feels like such a hypocritical purchase when I'm buying used clothing for our family, etc. I guess I'm a little uncomfortable going from driving my 10 year old base model sedan (which was not working for us) to something that I consider so upscale. Nobody flame me please, I'm feeling guilty enough already :