The Compact

[Ultralight]

I am kicking around some ideas for my next big challenge/lifestyle experiment. The Compact, where you don't buy anything new for a year, seems like the most intriguing to me. I tend to be better at "not doing" things than at "doing things." So The Compact has that appeal.

Here are a couple links on it:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Compact

http://sfcompact.blogspot.com/2006/0...esolution.html (http://sfcompact.blogspot.com/2006/01/new-years-resolution.html)

Anyone on here done it? Attempted it? Know anyone who did?

Thoughts in general?

[ToomuchStuff]

Better get a lot of bait together and be good at gardening/canning. Anything new involves food as well, and that would be tough.

[Ultralight]

Better get a lot of bait together and be good at gardening/canning. Anything new involves food as well, and that would be tough.

Oh, The Compact allows for buying new food, also for things like toothpaste. So it is not that impossibly hard to do. Families with a wife, husband, and kids have done it successfully.

You can also buy used, like get a t-shirt from Goodwill or whatever.

I know some Compacters also make an exception for new underwear.

But I have plenty of boxers. haha

I'd like to have the fewest possibly exceptions, but I will make an exception for food. haha

Essentially you stop buying new clothes, new toys, new gadgets, etc.

[Dhiana]

Link?

How specific are the "No spending" rules?

[Ultralight]

Link?

How specific are the "No spending" rules?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Compact

[Ultralight]

The might include a better description of the rules and such. http://sfcompact.blogspot.com/2006/01/new-years-resolution.html

[Dhiana]

Interesting.

I've participated in the Really, Really Free Markets in San Diego a while back. Didn't realize it was part of a larger movement.

[Ultralight]

Really, Really Free Markets

Charming name for them! haha

[ApatheticNoMore]

I'd struggle with clothes. Not because I like clothes shopping but because there is little I hate more. And it is easier to just get in and out as quickly as possible buying new clothes which is usually just enough to replace the ones growing holes. I guess with something like ebay you could probably get exactly what you want maybe without spending much time on the dreaded clothes shopping, but I seldom use ebay and I'm not sure it's an improvement.

Although I found the allows and restrictions on that particular website odd, but I suppose that was just their strange interpretation (ok it's humor apparently the comments say - who would have known).

[Ultralight]

I'd struggle with clothes. Not because I like clothes shopping but because there is little I hate more. And it is easier to just get in and out as quickly as possible buying new clothes which is usually just enough to replace the ones growing holes. I guess with something like ebay you could probably get exactly what you want maybe without spending much time on the dreaded clothes shopping, but I seldom use ebay and I'm not sure it's an improvement.

Although I found the allows and restrictions on that particular website odd, but I suppose that was just their strange interpretation (ok it's humor apparently the comments say - who would have known).

The Compact and its rules seem informal. I think the key is to be honest with yourself and true to the sentiment of the project. Buying nothing new for one year cannot be that difficult for most middle class Americans. It'd be a breeze for most upper middle class folks (and those even higher on the economic ladder). I also think this is fairly doable for working class Americans.

Strangely, I think my minimalism will hurt me as well as help me in this project (if I decide to do it, which I am leaning toward).

[ToomuchStuff]

Should have posted the link description in the first post.
Reminds me of a book I once read, about a woman's attempt to buy goods for one year, without buying anything made in China.
Sounds interesting, but I would CLEARLY have a discussion with your girlfriend, if your still with her, since your two values seem so far apart, that IMHO you two should break up.

[Gardenarian]

The Compact is new to me, but I did go for a year without buying any new clothes (including used clothing - I mostly shop thrift stores/yard sales.) It was surprisingly easy. I think I'll do it again soon.

I actually enjoyed not having to think about buying clothes, though I usually enjoy the scavenger hunt of thrift shopping.

[Ultralight]

The Compact is new to me, but I did go for a year without buying any new clothes (including used clothing - I mostly shop thrift stores/yard sales.) It was surprisingly easy. I think I'll do it again soon.

I actually enjoyed not having to think about buying clothes...

Very cool! Did it impact your purchasing habits in the long run?

[Ultralight]

Should have posted the link description in the first post.

Consider it done! I went back and added them. :)

[catherine]

I think it's a great idea: and a great way to identify your "gazingus pins" as Joe/Vicki would say.

I really don't think the clothing thing would be a big deal for me. This year was a big clothes buying year, which included 3 pairs of yoga pants (Old Navy had a sale and I wear yoga pants almost every day), three pairs of flats (It was a "buy two get one free deal) a new pair of sneakers (which I'm going to return or give away because they're uncomfortable), and also a pair of pants, blouse and blazer for work. That's a lot for me. I know that the purchases I made this year would get me through next year if I did the Compact.

Now, books on Amazon is a whole other thing! And the random thing I might find at a yard sale or a art/craft fair.

And what do they say about gifts? I could not go a year without buying gifts.

[Ultralight]

I think it's a great idea: and a great way to identify your "gazingus pins" as Joe/Vicki would say.

I really don't think the clothing thing would be a big deal for me. This year was a big clothes buying year, which included 3 pairs of yoga pants (Old Navy had a sale and I wear yoga pants almost every day), three pairs of flats (It was a "buy two get one free deal) a new pair of sneakers (which I'm going to return or give away because they're uncomfortable), and also a pair of pants, blouse and blazer for work. That's a lot for me. I know that the purchases I made this year would get me through next year if I did the Compact.

Now, books on Amazon is a whole other thing! And the random thing I might find at a yard sale or a art/craft fair.

And what do they say about gifts? I could not go a year without buying gifts.

You could still buy stuff at a yard sale because the item is used. You can buy gifts, but not stuff, according to the rules. So you could buy a friend that Van Halen concert ticket or take someone to a movie, that sort of thing.

[ApatheticNoMore]

I'm not sure if your talking ebooks, but there are plenty of used physical books on Amazon. Now I'm not sure that these are really really much better than new books as they will still be packaged and shipped, but they aren't new so technically score! Really when I buy books and I do it is almost always a used book. No clothes new or used for a year would work fine ..... if I became a nudist probably. It's often already the case I postpone clothes shopping so long I'm wearing clothes with holes for a bit before I can get new ones.

[kib]

I felt like the spirit of the exercise was to become aware of consumption and cut it drastically for a while, as well as the entertainment value of a challenge. I wasn't too impressed with people who found a way around learning anything by transferring their retail therapy to Used retail therapy. Part of the point of a self-audited challenge is to actually try to achieve the end goal, not to seek out loopholes.

[Ultralight]

Part of the point of a self-audited challenge is to actually try to achieve the end goal, not to seek out loopholes.

So true! And "self-audited challenge" is a great term. I will be borrowing it. :)

[Gardenarian]

Very cool! Did it impact your purchasing habits in the long run?

Oh yes! I am much more reluctant to add anything to my wardrobe these days. I did have to add some winter gear this year, as well as some hot weather clothing, as I moved from the mild climate of San Francisco to an area where temperatures vary widely. But I'm very picky.

Because I couldn't buy anything new-to-me that year, it made me really examine my clothes and it has become easier for me to accept that sometimes mistakes will be made. When I find that I have something I'm not wearing, I'm much more willing to pitch it. I guess I discovered that sometimes having fewer choices can make life easier.

[Dhiana]

I've had a very difficult time finding clothes that fit for me to purchase for the last couple of years so my wardrobe is quite small and threadbare.
Finally found a company with great styles that fit great but after purchasing a few pieces the organic dye faded extremely quickly. Even after redying one of the pieces in hopes to salvage them it is fading again.

My local Makerspace has an overlock machine and am considering renting their sewing space for a month to make these simple pieces in a more durable material. I'm good at sewing but it would be my first time using a serger so I'd be learning a new skill.

My measly wardrobe won't last a year. One pair of shorts and an ill-fitting seven year old swimsuit is just not going to make it here in Hawaii. I've checked the local Goodwill for fabric but they didn't have any at all.

I can see the Compact working for someone who is already established in an area. For someone who has moved from a temperate climate with a car to a tropical climate and no car, we do need to make adjustments. Minimal ones, but they do need to be made.

I draw the line at used flip flops...er slippahs, brah.

[Ultralight]

I've had a very difficult time finding clothes that fit for me to purchase for the last couple of years so my wardrobe is quite small and threadbare.
Finally found a company with great styles that fit great but after purchasing a few pieces the organic dye faded extremely quickly. Even after redying one of the pieces in hopes to salvage them it is fading again.

My local Makerspace has an overlock machine and am considering renting their sewing space for a month to make these simple pieces in a more durable material. I'm good at sewing but it would be my first time using a serger so I'd be learning a new skill.

My measly wardrobe won't last a year. One pair of shorts and an ill-fitting seven year old swimsuit is just not going to make it here in Hawaii. I've checked the local Goodwill for fabric but they didn't have any at all.

I can see the Compact working for someone who is already established in an area. For someone who has moved from a temperate climate with a car to a tropical climate and no car, we do need to make adjustments. Minimal ones, but they do need to be made.

I draw the line at used flip flops...er slippahs, brah.

The Compact is probably trickier for you. Good point about someone being well-established in a place. That certainly makes it easier.

Though I think most people in the US could probably do The Compact without much trouble.