I failed at this but feel really drawn to do it starting in 2008. Anyone else planning on doing it next year? Did you do it all this year? If so, what have you learned from it?

I petered out about mid-year. And before that, we did end up buying new couches after months of searching for a deal worth driving 1.5 or 3 hrs for on craigslist. Although I guess that fits within the realm of compacting. We also replaced our dying hot water heater and washer and dryer with new items rather than used, but that was a conscious decision as well. (And I have to say I'm glad, I've never had a dryer that works before this one, and they've all been used. We hope to have the set for 10-15 years if things last that long anymore.)

I can't say we bought much anyway. Trying to think what. Not much. But I stopped thinking about it mid-year so I'm sure there were lots of little things that I could have done better on. And we did go out to eat a few times. But I started out "not buying" and that definitely turned into compacting by mid-year. And for Christmas I bought little, but what I've bought has been new.

For 2008 I want to do Compacting. I think having a plan for actually buying things will help me not feel "Oh I've failed at not buying, I may as well buy whatever I want." So having a priority to work through will help.

The thing I learned most is that it costs an incredible amount of gas money to get most things used, here. I understand why people hoard things in barns for generations.

I learned that most things you don't really need anyway. I learned that having basic pieces of furniture for your house is something I feel I have a "right" to. I had a really hard time letting go of the idea that we "deserved" to use our tax money to buy sofas to sit on. I learned that I have a sense of entitlement about a lot of the things I buy, right down to the types of groceries we buy. It was good for me to examine all this, but I wasn't willing to fully let go of my beliefs in some areas. But being aware of them, was a step forward.

(Just to explain, I'm here because it's Saturday morning and I'm "off" work. ;) Not slacking! :lol: Slinking back out of the forum...)

Um..no. :lol:

I will say that it was a pretty life-changing year for me though. I really gave pause to a lot of things. There were many things I didn't buy, that in the past, I would have.

One area I was successful was for the baby girly. I love dressing her! Love i! I got mostly hand-me-downs and bought much of her things second-hand, including an Ergo and stroller which we wanted/needed. I bought her a few things, but I mostly window-shopped until I found something second-hand.

This isn't about compacting, but related to it: Our fridge needs to be replaced. Because of some compacting and mostly mindful spending, we can afford it without going into any debt at all. Prior to this year, it would have set us about 4 months back.

A big thanks to all of you for that. I'm looking forward to tweaking my spending in 2008 even more which will include a lot of compacting.

I guess so. But it's just because that's how we always live. It doesn't have the thrill so much. LOL. We get everything used, usually free. And basically I never spend money except on groceries and bills, and I'm pretty freaky about those too.

Ok, what is compacting? Is that like not buying it? Fill me in. :D

Val

I don't think I've done terribly. I just went over my compact from last year and I've touched on each part:

We pl'd ds.

We didn't buy anything ahead of compacting to prepare for compacting.

We've biked or walked everywhere imaginable so long as it was safe. We've drove about 6,000 miles total this year.

We're not giving gifts to family and friends unless it comes from the heart. Not giving for the sake of giving, KWIM?

We stopped drinking bottled water, use our Siggs exclusively.

No alcohol.

We've traded for or made gifts with very few exceptions and then those items were handmade or used.

Our clothing was handmade, traded or purchased secondhand used with the exception of underwear & bras and a couple things for me because I lost so much weight last year. I think it boiled down to a couple workout things: 2 pr. pants, three shirts.

Bought things used by putting the word out or by waiting to see if it showed up on freecycle. I really wanted a bike for ds and waited it out and eventually found one at a yard sale for $4.

We didn't add any pets to the family. :lol: Didn't buy any vehicles.

Didn't purchase cosmetics, etc. Only paid for two haircuts all year.

I was doing great on not drinking coffee until my sister moved closer and she's an addict. I can't say I like coffee all that much anymore, it makes me very jittery.

Our food came from local sources or we grew it or we did without. There are very few exceptions to this.

Things we bought that were anticipated: A tent and two more sleeping bags (if you see my original compact you'll see these were planned). A washing machine (F&P, also on my compact from last year).

Unanticipated buys: things to fix up the house (though we did a lot of freecycle and creative reusing), a new bike each for dh and I after his broke and mine wouldn't pull the kids' trailer, a boxing class & gym membership for me, our laptop after the desktop couldn't hack a program dh had to have for school. I'm sure there are little things here and there but probably not a lot as I'm not a "little things" type of person.

Where we failed: eating out. Though the places we've eaten have been locally owned eateries with the exception of Panera. This is a commitment dh and I have recently renewed though and it's the top goal for us right now.

I can honestly say that I've tried very hard. At some point it became more mindful purchasing than simply Compacting, but I have always had it in my mind when making purchases.

There were trouble spots. I didn't anticipate needing clothing for two funerals. What I wore to the first funeral simply wasn't formal enough for my mother's funeral. I know that is my choice.

As I lost weight I needed jeans. I got a few pairs handed down, but overall had terrible luck thrifting them.

There were purchases I didn't foresee. I didn't know that silk long underwear would go a long way toward keeping more comfortable in lower house temperatures. I bought one pair and now realize I really need a heavier weight pair.

However, the Compact has some flaws that I see. I bought some used things that I didn't need, but that were "allowed" because they were used.

But I am trying, still.

I did great at first. :p But we ended up having to get our house on the market and move a longish distance. Practically speaking, I couldn't be as conscientious as I'd like and get all that together in a reasonable amount of time.

I pittered out too. I was ill prepared and didn't really know what I was doing at first then fell out of the honeymooon too quickly.

Brian's on board this coming year so we're going to work it together.

Brian's on board this coming year so we're going to work it together.

I think may end up being a big part of the puzzle. DH is interested this year too (but not yet on board, just trying to figure out what it means, and he is already a low consumer), although we've yet to make a firm decision as to whether we are more interested in the Compact or continuing my work with the 90% Reduction group, AKA Riot for Austerity).

I think that real life encouragement and accountability play a big part as well. I now know two families who are looking to follow the Compact and that we may be able to hook up with for ideas and inspiration.

WHAT IS COMPACTING? :p

(off to look it up on Google)

Val

Val,
I can tell you had other things on your mind at the beginning of last year, LOL.

I may look into this again this year (really did not do it this year). It might add some fun to our working to pay off debt this year. (If we're already not buying, we might as well do it with purpose, eh?).


[The Compact (http://sfcompact.blogspot.com/)

Well duh. LOL! Didn't you? Overdue baby! LOL!!

Val

LOL, Val...was trying to figure out how you of all people missed out on all the Compacting discussion around here!! :p :p