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One Month Compacting Challange: FEBRUARY

post #1 of 63
1/5/08 at 1:03am
Thread Starter 
Hi Ladies, anyone want to join me in a compacting commitment in Feb?

I need a month to wrap my brain around it all, harness my resolve and get dh on board. We can use this thread for ideas, questions, (fears!) and then bump it up if need be at the start of Feb. And January compacters can join us if they want to extend their pledge.

Anyone on board?
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post #2 of 63
1/5/08 at 9:53am
yep! i'm in for feb.

marisa
post #3 of 63
1/6/08 at 12:21pm
I am planning to compact the entire year so I am in as well.

Elizabeth
post #4 of 63
1/6/08 at 7:00pm
I've been compacting since 10/06. I love it.
post #5 of 63
1/13/08 at 12:21am
Thread Starter 
Anyone else???
post #6 of 63
1/13/08 at 12:50am
i want to but im skeeeeeered
post #7 of 63
1/13/08 at 4:59am
I'm skeeeered too. But we can do it.
post #8 of 63
1/13/08 at 6:58am
: This is the closest smiley I can find for skeeeerd! But if you other two skeerdy-cats are in, so am I!

Does this mean we can't go out to dinner for Valentines Day (or my birthday?) I'm only part joking--I don't know where retail food falls on the Compact.

I need the month to prepare, too.
post #9 of 63
1/13/08 at 12:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by heatherdeg View Post
Does this mean we can't go out to dinner for Valentines Day (or my birthday?) I'm only part joking--I don't know where retail food falls on the Compact.
It doesn't. The compact just restricts stuff, not food. You could technically go out to McDonalds though I'm not sure why you would.
post #10 of 63
1/13/08 at 2:21pm
Dude... my bday is NOT McDonald's material! McCormick & Schmick!
post #11 of 63
1/13/08 at 4:08pm
What does it mean to Compact?
post #12 of 63
1/13/08 at 5:25pm
ok i'll be in:

how exciting! my birthday is february too, good thing i love thrifting anyway, i don't mind a used gifty yay, i'm excited!

so what are you doing to prepare?

i really want to start a garden so i guess i should try to get some gardening stuff off freecycle and buy what i can't get. are you guys writing yourself a list of 'rules'?
post #13 of 63
1/13/08 at 8:11pm
Thread Starter 
Well, first off I should say that technically I've been compacting for the past week (unplanned) since the roof at my dh's store is practically falling in.

But for the month of Feb I plan on getting a list together, "rules" if you will, that state what compacting means to me and my family. That's what I need the next few weeks to work out.

I can see how you might wish to include a weekly dinner out/ order in. I'm not sure if that will be in our budget.

I'm also trying not to "stock up" before hand so that if a need for somethings arises I will truly have an opportunity to think of an alternative (or go without.) I'd love to see others' ideas/rules as they come up.
post #14 of 63
1/14/08 at 3:51am
Add me to the "interested but skeeeeerd" list!
post #15 of 63
1/14/08 at 4:14am
I'm here! :
post #16 of 63
1/14/08 at 9:36am
Oh, count me in. I have been reading about compacting for long time but never tried it myself. February would be perfect!

Count me in!
post #17 of 63
1/15/08 at 11:58pm
Thread Starter 
anyone else? c'mon, it's the shortest month of the year!
post #18 of 63
1/16/08 at 12:33am
Quote:
Originally Posted by HeatherE View Post
What does it mean to Compact?
:
Can anyone enlighten me?
post #19 of 63
1/16/08 at 1:03am
Quote:
Originally Posted by HeatherE View Post
What does it mean to Compact?
People doing the Compact are people who are buying only what is necessary and avoiding buying anything new. Their are exceptions for things like health & hygiene items (but again, only what is necessary). Individuals might include personal exceptions (ie yarn or some other hobby item). People usually commit for a set period of time (1 month, 6 months, a year, etc).
post #20 of 63
1/16/08 at 3:24pm
so lets talk gifts. i know its probably a tired subject but its the one im currently facing. my nephew just had his birthday and i ordered his gift from etsy.com which is where i buy all gifts that i dont make myself. i have looked and looked for used gifts, and i find some for my closest family members but i have a LOT of extended family that absolutely have no concept of owning something used. i really feel like its a waste of money to buy something used for someone that wont appreciate it when i could buy something handmade from etsy that i know they will like kwim? thoughts?

on a related note, i met a new woman(family) at playgroup that i hit it off with pretty well right away. we've gotten together a few times and she is moving into a new apartment and has next to nothing to put in it. i was thinking of going to a local funky cool bookstore and getting a soy candle or something as a house warming gift but then i reminded myself of the compact and thought maybe i should give a gift certificate to a thrift store instead...is that lame and weird? what say you?
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