Happy New Year Compactors! January thread

[mamaveggie]

Is everybody ready for tomorrow? I went today to Target to buy next year's christmas cards, kleenex, q-tips and cat litter. That is all I left with, which is a miracle with christmas clearance at 50% off. When I had the kleenex in my hand I thought about getting/making some handkerchefs instead. Does anyone else use them?

[captivatedlife]

If you want one thing cloth, tissues are the way to go. They are a million times softer and you never get any stuck to your nose! And they're super soft! I love hankies!

[swellmomma]

I am all set. I hit walmart yesterday, used up my gift cards and spent more on top of it but I got stocked up on batteries for the electronics we got for xmas, got a paper sorter, large white board, etc stuff I need to use our xmas gifts or make the most of our homeschooling. NOw I am set.

[SugarAndSun]

I am all set to go as well. :

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.

I do have a gc to Target left, but I will use it for necessities. We are using sposies right now (since we are selling the house) so I will probably buy those. We also use tp, but no other disposable paper products.

[sunanthem]

Can I join in if I am just starting. I keep hearing all about this and have been leaning towards it anyway. My challenge is to find a new shelf or toy storage thingy for both of my kids.

[mumkenna&lucas]

I made my last purchase today..other than the few things in my exceptions (a few unpaid co-ops that I joined before joining the compact) So I think I am good to go! Very excited!

[boogiemonster]

Okay, I have a little over an hour left here before the new year, and I'm all set for my year of compacting.

I'm having a weak moment...I have some super special jammies online that I'm scoping out for DD1 and me...I may just do a "one last purchase" splurge before midnight hits. Or I might not.

But, yeah, ready to compact and even a bit excited.

[boogiemonster]

Okay, so I passed on the PJs. Darn it, even warming up to Compacting has corrupted me! I just couldn't justify the expense...and I kept asking myself if matching PJs for my DD and me would bring me more happiness than just keeping that hard-earned money in the bank.

Now, onto my year of Compacting...sans snazzy jammies.

Happy New Year!!!

[SugarAndSun]

Originally Posted by boogiemonster

Okay, so I passed on the PJs. Darn it, even warming up to Compacting has corrupted me! I just couldn't justify the expense...and I kept asking myself if matching PJs for my DD and me would bring me more happiness than just keeping that hard-earned money in the bank.

Now, onto my year of Compacting...sans snazzy jammies.

Happy New Year!!!

I have been feeling the same for a while! I hear Compacting is addicting!

[ediesmom]

Hi mamas.......new here

can somewhat let me know what the concept of compacting is?

[Angierae]

We're ready to jump in for the first time! And we are really excited! So far so good for the first half of Jan 1st!

[RedAnt]

Originally Posted by ediesmom

Hi mamas.......new here

can somewhat let me know what the concept of compacting is?

The Compact
1) to go beyond recycling in trying to counteract the negative global environmental and socioeconomic impacts of U.S. consumer culture, to resist global corporatism, and to support local businesses, farms, etc. -- a step, we hope, inherits the revolutionary impulse of the Mayflower Compact
2) to reduce clutter and waste in our homes (as in trash Compact-er)
3) to simplify our lives (as in Calm-pact)
So, here goes for the rules:
•First principle - don't buy new products of any kind (from stores, web sites, etc.)
•Second principle - borrow or buy used.

Many people come up with a list of their own exceptions, particularly for work and health items (perhaps including pillows or shoes or car tires if needed).

[a2mama]

grocery shopping while compacting

I took my first compacting trip to the grocery store this morning. Wow! I never realized how much junk I buy. It took me twice as long because I had to talk myself out of every other thing I picked up. 50% off holiday candy--NO, cheaper than water Coke--NO, three boxes of crackers--one will do, etc.

I think I am going to make all my purchases at the grocery store (incl. paper prod, batteries, etc.). I know it will cost a little more, but it will reduce temptation.

[mamaveggie]

Originally Posted by SugarAndSun

I am all set to go as well. :

I do have a gc to Target left, but I will use it for necessities. We are using sposies right now (since we are selling the house) so I will probably buy those. We also use tp, but no other disposable paper products.

Wow! Moving and compacting at the same time would be extremely difficult for me. We sold our house and moved into our new fixer upper back in August and we spent several thousand dollars immediately on paint, roofing materials, new locks, storm doors and what not. I admire your ambition. I switched to disposables for a few months too, but I am back on track now.

[RedAnt]

We are excited to be jumping in, too! We haven't done any stocking up. I figure if we're sill using q-tips & other health stuff, then I'll buy them as needed. We will avoid big box stores though.

I made one last trip to Target a few days ago to use a Christmas gift card for my daughter. I loaded up on crafty stuff and a storage container to store them. The storage container made me pause since I'm sure I could find one used that would work. It snaps and stacks with one we already have though, so it felt like an okay last pre-compact purchase. It did feel good to pass up all of those 50% off end caps. It is freeing to realize I don't NEED any of that stuff!

When we started making our our exceptions list, I thought it would be excessively liberal. It ended up being surprisingly short though:

Supplies for making a placenta print. (If I ever get around to defrosting it and making a print, I'd like to have acid-free paper.)
Others, only if they can't be found used:
Vegetable gardening materials
Home repair supplies – lots of internal remodeling needs finishing, plus external painting and a partial new roof.
One particular bike part my husband doesn't think he'll be able to find used.

We've also decided to eat out or order in once per week at a local restaurant. That's considerably less than usual for us.

[sunanthem]

I heard about our local compacting yahoo group and joined. You may find one near you, too.

I think for one of my kids storage thingys I will put together the new desk and bookshelf for the office room and take the old shelf for kids toy storage. I will have to see if that will work.

[slvsquared]

I'm in, as well. This is desperately needed for all sorts of reasons

[slvsquared]

Forgot to sub ...doh!

[SugarAndSun]

Originally Posted by mamaveggie

Wow! Moving and compacting at the same time would be extremely difficult for me. We sold our house and moved into our new fixer upper back in August and we spent several thousand dollars immediately on paint, roofing materials, new locks, storm doors and what not. I admire your ambition. I switched to disposables for a few months too, but I am back on track now.

We aren't buying right away though. We are going to rent between homes. I do admit that buying a new home would seriously cause problems.

[epdeans]

I am ready and so excited about compacting. I did not "stock" up on anything so I am going to really push myself to find alternatives to any purchases other than those allowed.

I have caught myself really feeling the urge to purchase different kinds of foods than I have before. Maybe I will become a foodie.