Compacting Mommas? - Page 3

[MrsSurplus]

Originally Posted by njsummer01

As far as gifts go, we've just announced to family and friends that we are bowing out of Christmas and birthday gift giving in favor of giving to Acres of Hope, an orphanage and humanitarian organization in Liberia. We sent a letter to everyone explaining why we are doing this and giving details on the situation in Liberia - they know we have a real burden for orphans and so far, everyone has been really great about it. For Christmas, everyone is going to get a homemade card letting them know we made the donation as well as a cinnamon/applesauce air freshner/ornament made with boy and girl cookie cutters and that's it.

That is wonderful! When Kasen was born we suggested donations to Lifeline of Hope; that would be a grat Christmas gift idea also - for getting and giving. (LOL - dd11 was helping me package up some things for LOH and so I got out one of their newsletters for her to look at - to see faces...now she is very insistant that we need to adopt a girl (her age, conveniently) from Africa post haste. We told her we'd discuss it when Kasen is a little older. Both DH and I feel that, between a newborn and a 17yo, we're pretty maxxed.)
Okay, working on my own compacting guidelines...

[snowbunny]

We've officially started, and I've posted our guidelines.

I'm really looking forward to compacting.

[momaste]

Compacting while remodelling?

We're in the middle of a home remodel, making our home more energy efficient, safer, and fixing structural problems. We have done quite a bit already and are still planning on redoing the kitchen, bathroom, and outside stucco in the coming year. We've already replaced the appliances, all from the scratch and dent store. Many of the items that I'll be using have been purchased on Craigslist (I bought tile for the bathroom floor, lighting fixtures, and a mirror), but we're buying new IKEA kitchen cabinets (packed flat for less waste in shipping!) and will be replacing our toilet with a new one. How does that work with Compacting? Should I just wait until next year?

I've been really interested in limiting my consumer spending and being more conscious of my spending habits. I don't want to throw my money away and don't want to spend for recreation. At the same time, our kitchen is falling apart and there is water damage in several of the cabinets; the bathroom is equally in need of repair, with water damage in the subfloor. I guess I'm just wondering how to reconcile the goal of a happy remodelled house without making choices that damage the planet.

[kathirynne]

What do you think?

I am just asking this as a hypothetical. : If I find something at an antique store that suits a specific need, does purchasing it violate my Compact pledge?

[AngelBee]

:

[OliveGirl]

Originally Posted by kathirynne

I am just asking this as a hypothetical. : If I find something at an antique store that suits a specific need, does purchasing it violate my Compact pledge?

If it's a used item and you need it, no violation there.

[MrsSurplus]

[QUOTE=snowbunny;6253871]We've officially started, and I've posted our guidelines.

[QUOTE]

How exciting!:

[litlwons]

I soooooo want to do this been pondering this for the better part of this year. I am not much of a shopper, but the little stuff, is the stuff that gets me.

A question. I love plants, mostly for my yard. I do some vegetable gardening as well. Can I not purchase these under the compact guidlines? I don't buy very much anymore, but here and there I get a few things to tuck into my garden. Not working in my garden and watching things grow would really bum me out... what do I do in this case?

Christmas is a toughy, but I think I can get by. Shopping for stuff has always bummed and stressed me out...

I do need some advice on the gardening question, because even seeds cost money and promote "buying".

I am so ready otherwise.

Kathleen

[kathirynne]

Can you Freecycle for plant starts? (Just place an "In Search Of" post.) Do you have friends who garden who could share?

All of the Compact pledges that I have read thus far include an exception. I think that your gardening supplies could be your exception, as long as you were mindful in your purchases.

HTH

[snowbunny]

Kathleen -

I think a large part of The Compact--at least for me--is that it's about life improvement. If new plants are disallowed and that would significantly impact your quality of life and the pleasure you receive from gardening, then it's not really helping with the goal of lifestyle improvement.

I think a few of us have made exceptions: mine include craft items that I cannot find used or "second hand new" through regular channels.

Perhaps you can use cuttings? Or buy from a locally owned greenhouse rather than a corporate owned one? Or restrict yourself to decorative edible plants--which would definitely be just fine. Sure, stocking up on a new rake, gloves, gardening shoes, spade etc would probably not be cohesive with compacting.

Ultimately, if you feel you're cheating, you probably are--but if you feel alright about it you're probably just fine.

[Delight]

Originally Posted by snowbunny

Ultimately, if you feel you're cheating, you probably are--but if you feel alright about it you're probably just fine.

For me...it's all about teaching myself to explore other avenues that I wouldn't have before. Thinking differently...acting (and re-acting) differently. Like today, I decided it would be great to have an extra drying rack to hang laundry inside. Normally, I would have ran out to Target and bought it since they are only $9.99. But instead, I posted a "wanted" on Freecycle and I'm hoping to get it that way. If not, I'll scour the thrift stores and stalk Craigslist.

So, it's changing my thinking...and I didn't go to Target, the most evil "sucker" of my money ever! It can smell my wallet coming a mile away. And I have a hard time resisting, so I just don't go Especially now that we're Compacting...I can find everything I need , even health related at my local stores.

[hipcoolmama]

Originally Posted by Delight

For me...it's all about teaching myself to explore other avenues that I wouldn't have before. Thinking differently...acting (and re-acting) differently. Like today, I decided it would be great to have an extra drying rack to hang laundry inside. Normally, I would have ran out to Target and bought it since they are only $9.99. But instead, I posted a "wanted" on Freecycle and I'm hoping to get it that way. If not, I'll scour the thrift stores and stalk Craigslist.

So, it's changing my thinking...and I didn't go to Target, the most evil "sucker" of my money ever! It can smell my wallet coming a mile away. And I have a hard time resisting, so I just don't go Especially now that we're Compacting...I can find everything I need , even health related at my local stores.

Is anyone else "Compacting" this year? What are some good websites that I can look at to find out more?

[Delight]

Originally Posted by hipcoolmama

Is anyone else "Compacting" this year? What are some good websites that I can look at to find out more?

Yeah...we need to start a Blogring of Compacting Mamas. I thought I saw someone doing that...was it any of you? Share your favorite links (beyond the obvious SF blog and Compact Yahoo group).

[Aguazul]

I've been thinking and thinking about this and I'm feel I ready to Compact. My problem, though, is my husband. While he doesn't buy a huge amount of things, he will sometimes buy stuff (unnecessary stuff of course). So, I'm wondering if I can go ahead and take the plunge and begin compacting even if he is not on board? He'd have no problem with me doing it, but wouldn't participate himself.

[Delight]

Originally Posted by Aguazul

I've been thinking and thinking about this and I'm feel I ready to Compact. My problem, though, is my husband. While he doesn't buy a huge amount of things, he will sometimes buy stuff (unnecessary stuff of course). So, I'm wondering if I can go ahead and take the plunge and begin compacting even if he is not on board? He'd have no problem with me doing it, but wouldn't participate himself.

My DH is doing it with me...but I know there are several other mamas here that are doing it by themself. You can do it!

[snowbunny]

Originally Posted by Delight

Yeah...we need to start a Blogring of Compacting Mamas.

I started one here using my blog as the jumping off point (but if someone has a better idea for a blog ring hompage, let me know and I'll change it ). You can join the ring here, but if you do please make sure to add the ring surf code to your blog.

Or if you have any link I should add to thhat homepage, let me know and I'll edit it appropriately.

Originally Posted by Aguazul

I've been thinking and thinking about this and I'm feel I ready to Compact. My problem, though, is my husband. While he doesn't buy a huge amount of things, he will sometimes buy stuff (unnecessary stuff of course). So, I'm wondering if I can go ahead and take the plunge and begin compacting even if he is not on board? He'd have no problem with me doing it, but wouldn't participate himself.

My DH is participating also, but I think many DHs aren't.
You can definitely do it, and, who knows, maybe he'll take a cue from you and start participating at a later time.

[Aguazul]

Originally Posted by snowbunny

My DH is participating also, but I think many DHs aren't.
You can definitely do it, and, who knows, maybe he'll take a cue from you and start participating at a later time.

OK. I am decided then. I will join the Compact and make the commitment. I'm sure I will be here often though, asking questions about the best way to go about something or how to look for things that are needed (I think my main exception will be more cloth pads, wipes, etc., because we are now switching over from disposable and I couldn't sew to save my life!) I am nervous, yet really excited!

Last night, I was talking to DH about how I am serious about us improving our health by eating more naturally and switching to natural, non-toxic products, told him about the dangers of plastic, chemicals in our food, etc. He was actually really receptive. I've realized that he doesn't have much commitment to the environment on its own merits, but if he can see some connection between the environment and our health, he's willing to consider new options. So, he's fine with us switching over to cloth for most things in the house, not buying the strong cleaners he's always liked and learning about new, natural, healthy ways to eat. So, he might be more receptive to the compacting than I thought. However, I'd rather not nag or push; like you said, he may like what he sees when I do it and may follow along.

[Delight]

Originally Posted by snowbunny

I started one here using my blog as the jumping off point (but if someone has a better idea for a blog ring hompage, let me know and I'll change it ). You can join the ring here, but if you do please make sure to add the ring surf code to your blog.

Thanks! I joined and added it to my blog...

[celestialdreamer]

I'm in too and added my blog (its a new one so not much on it yet). Actually my blog name is really close to yours snowbunny! I guess great minds think alike : Here's a link

Anyway, my DH is completely up for the challenge. He isn't the buying type anyway. The only thing he buys are parts for for his car projects, many of which he already gets used. He never buys clothes, shoes, etc for himself...I like to shop so much I do it for him. : Right now I am thinking of ideas of what to do besides go to the craft store or Target when I am bored and need out of the house. I do have to say that over the last 6 months my spending has cut down dramatically. I've learned to get out of the moment of wanting something right now and think about whether or not I really need it. I would still really like to take it this step further, I feel like it is enlightening to be getting rid of what I already have and learning what I really need (or don't need).


The only things I am making exceptions for printing photos (I got that idea from you Sara- very glad I remembered to add it to mine ), tickets to events, and yarn that I cannot find to trade for that is for a specific project. DH is making an exception for carparts that he cannot find used or that would not be safe to buy used such as brakes.

On the subject of Christmas, the other night when DH and decided to join the Compact, we also decided to skip Christmas gifts this year and instead just enjoy our family. I will make one gift for each one of the kids out of stuff I already have (I love making stuff from recycled wool sweaters) and possibly buy them each a used book, which is how I think it should be in the first place. Progressively each year Dh's family has gotten more and more obscene with the amount of gifts they lavish on the 15 or so adults plus our kids (well the baby is a new addition this year). Seriously we leave the annual gathering with our trunk FULL of gifts and we cannot afford to be buying for these people who don't need anything anyway! We have repeatedly asked them to do a small gift exchange and they refuse, because they like buying stuff for each other. Anyway, we know DH's parents and sister are fine with no gifts from/to us because they feel the same way. In fact, they have started just doing charity donations in lieu of gifts which I think is great. We just have to find a polite way to tell the rest of the fam, "thanks, but no thanks". I would have to say that 95% of what we receive from the each year is not things we want/need at all. The first few years we ended up with tremendous clutter because of it. I am just hoping DH will be the one who will talk to them

So we are in Very committed to this and hoping to have others to talk to about it!

[cdmaze]

I have thought about this all week- I think I'm in. I cant speak for dh though...he has a ways to go before he can give up Borders.

My hard thing will be Starbucks. (sad, but true...although I really have no excuse because I live 35 minutes from the nearest on and I have an espresso machine with all the fixn's at home---but when I go down the hill to shop--- a nice hot coffee is SO tempting.)

What about fabric? I am still trying to get off paper and want to get some more flannel for ktichen wipe up towels. I thought about using my old flannel sheets, but, they are really ugly, and part of my motivation for going off paper products (and being motivated to do more laundry)is the beauty of the fabrics i got to pick out.

What do you guys think?