New Compacting Thread

[mamaveggie]

I did a search and it looks like the last activity was right before Thanksgiving so I thought I would start up a new thread. I plan on starting January 1st and taking it through the whole year. Is anyone in with me?

[boogiemonster]

Yes! Me!

*not freaking out, not freaking out*

[KimberMama]

We're thinking of adding Compacting to our Riot 4 Austerity project.

[sedalbj]

what is Compacting?

[KnockedUpButtercup]

I am thinking of starting this in the new year, as well...I need to sit down with my DH and work out some guidelines that we both feel we can live with.

I am the "faculty sponsor" of the Buddhist Student Association at my middle school (I'm actually not Buddhist, I'm Episcopalian...but Buddhism fascinates me and they had the idea to form a club and needed a sponsor), and Buddhism has a premise called the "Noble Eightfold Path." The first step is "Right View," which includes acceptance of the "4 Truths," which basically means the following, according to my students:

--life is suffering
--suffering is caused by "want"
--by "wanting," we cause our own suffering
--disconnecting ourselves from want is the way to peace

I'm not sure if this is the best summary or not, but I'm getting my info from a combination of 8th graders and wikipedia. I need to buy a book on this stuff...

It made sense when they explained it, anyway. I am hoping that spending a year on the Compact will help me end my love affair with "want," which is certainly keeping me from peace.

Anyway, I am interested in being part of a Compacting thread in the new year, if one if forming!

Holly

[boogiemonster]

Originally Posted by sedalbj

what is Compacting?

nak...

check these out for more info...

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...ght=Compacting

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...ght=Compacting

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...ght=Compacting

hth!

[slvsquared]

I think the new year would be a great time to start, as long as the thread is reasonably active...the other one sort of died

[Areannasmom]

I'm new to this concept, but i'm going to lurk for a bit and maybe make a commitment for 3 months or so starting Jan 1
:

[epdeans]

I am in for 1 month at a time. I will begin 01/01/08 as well. I will get my guidelines together this weekend.

I am excited and feel the thrill of the challenge but nervous as well.

Thanks for starting this thread because I know that I will need support through this but am ready for it.

Elizabeth

[mamaveggie]

I will try and keep the thread rolling by doing weekly check ins and links that pertain to compacting. I was doing pretty well last year until we decided to remodel our bathroom and then I found out I was pregnant. I kind of let it slide but I am ready to commit this year.

[SugarAndSun]

I am in! :

I have pretty much been warming up for this anyway. I have sworn off all big box stores and fast food (coffee was my big purchase at these places). I have no desire to go to Target anymore. I haven't bought anything new except a couple rolls of wrapping paper and some tape. Here are some of my goals, though I will revise them and have them set by next week. Please give me any input you may have.

1. I will not purchase anything new except: needed personal items (undies, etc.), useful, basic crafts for dc (crayons, etc.), tires (I like to bike ride), items necessary for work (paper, binders, ink, etc.).
2. I will avoid disposable items, except toilet paper.
3. I will buy locally as much as possible.

[mamaheids]

DH and I are actively discussing it, starting with committing to 1 month. This will be huge for us, as I am a Starbucks and Target addict. :

[HipGal]

I'd like to try for January at least. Maybe Jan - March would be a good trial and see if I can go the whole year.

My compact compact exceptions are: safety items, hygenic items, small business purchases and maintenance items (for example, I expect my laptop battery to die in the next few months and I will replace it).

Let's go for it!

[Savoir Faire]

I'm thinking about trying for January. We've made several changes in our lives recently that SHOULD have left us with a bit more $$ each month.....

I'm just not seeing it.

Oh....and regarding the new items? I was able to buy the wrapping paper needed for Santa (I had to get something other than the fabric we're using) at a resale shop for $1.

Is compacting about not buying anything or just not buying new?

[mamaveggie]

This is gives the best description and takes you through the year that this person went through. http://sfcompact.blogspot.com/search...max-results=23

[boogiemonster]

I'm so stoked to start!

[a2mama]

Let the Compacting Begin!!!

I am in! I joined MDC specifically looking for a Compacting group, so YAY!
I will be starting Jan 3. My bday is Jan 2, and I am still a kid who wants presents at heart.
I am doing it for the consumerism, environmental, needing to get comfortable with discomfort reasons, while my husband is doing it to save money and pay off debt. At first I was frustrated because he wasn't in it for the same reasons, but I think this will actually be a good thing--we will be able to keep each other on track regardless of the reason.

[epdeans]

Here are the guidelines I have set up for myself for the Compact 2008.

I will not buy anything new except health items, underwear, socks, shoes in 2008. I will only buy these items once the ones I currently have are used up or worn out.

My exceptions include crafting material for my sewing and bookmaking.
When my batteries I have are used up I will buy rechargables.
Printer paper but I will purchase the highest percentage of recyleable as possible.
1 magazine per month max.
1 book per month max.
Also we are going to plant a garden this spring and get 2 chicken as well so any supplies we need for them we can not purchase used.

Elizabeth

[mamaveggie]

Originally Posted by epdeans

Here are the guidelines I have set up for myself for the Compact 2008.

I will not buy anything new except health items, underwear, socks, shoes in 2008. I will only buy these items once the ones I currently have are used up or worn out.

My exceptions include crafting material for my sewing and bookmaking.
When my batteries I have are used up I will buy rechargables.
Printer paper but I will purchase the highest percentage of recyleable as possible.
1 magazine per month max.
1 book per month max.
Also we are going to plant a garden this spring and get 2 chicken as well so any supplies we need for them we can not purchase used.

Elizabeth

We are going to have a communal garden with my family this year in our yard. We bought a house on about 1 acre, so we plan on it being quite big. I wish that I had time for chickens, but my two girls keep me busy enough as it is.

[mamaveggie]

Originally Posted by a2mama

I am in! I joined MDC specifically looking for a Compacting group, so YAY!
I will be starting Jan 3. My bday is Jan 2, and I am still a kid who wants presents at heart.
I am doing it for the consumerism, environmental, needing to get comfortable with discomfort reasons, while my husband is doing it to save money and pay off debt. At first I was frustrated because he wasn't in it for the same reasons, but I think this will actually be a good thing--we will be able to keep each other on track regardless of the reason.

Welcome to MDC! This is a great supportive community.