Our family has agreed to go another year without buying anything new. We did it in 2010 and it dramatically changed how we lived and what we put value on as a family. It rocked my world, but in an amazing way. It’s fun, challenging and really makes you look at objects differently. Yet over the past few years I have slowly let material consumption creep in and have bought many things that I definitely didn’t need and, looking back, sometimes didn’t really want.
It just happened.
2013 Resolution: Buy nothing new for a year. It’s often called The Compact, and it’s a world-wide social and environmental movement where people make a one year commitment to stop buying new stuff. There are no official rules to The Compact— everyone can put their own twists and exceptions in their Compact.
The goals of The Compact:
- to go beyond recycling in trying to counteract the negative global environmental and socio-economic impacts of U.S. consumer culture, to resist global corporatism, and to support local businesses, farms, etc.
- to reduce clutter and waste in our homes
- to simplify our lives
The Family Sponge Compact of 2013
I am super excited that Jadah and her awesome family have decided to join us with The Compact. Together, we will be sharing our bargain finds, our struggles and our breakthroughs with it all. We would love to have more families join us. Maybe it’s a 3-month pact, or a 6-month pact. Start small and see where it leads. We invite you to be a part of this movement and would love to share your stories as well.
Where you can shop:
Second-hand stores (Salvation Army, Goodwill, Plato’s Closet)
Craigslist
Freecycle.org
Consignment stores
Local food markets are preferred (farmer’s market, local bakery)
Garage sales
Estate sales
Other ways to get what you need: Borrow from a neighbor, share what you have, make it yourself or even barter with someone.
Exceptions:
You are allowed to use services such as movies, theaters, museums, massages, haircuts, and music downloads.
Underwear. I just can’t buy used panties.
Bras.
Socks.
Food.
Pillows.
Household cleaning supplies.
Health and safety items.
Automotive essentials (like oil).
Home repairs.
Additional Resources
The Story of Stuff
The Compact Yahoo Group: Full of questions, helpful information and a great community of over 10,000 people.
Stop buying and Start Saving
My Personal Experience with The Compact
Join the Discussion
Interested in joining The Compact or have questions about it, please share below!