We have talked about this for over a year (hat tip to Sarah Apple who first shared the idea) and this year we are ready...to make a one year commitment to
Buy Nothing New for One Year
Our Reasons to try this
*We have everything we need
*Research shows that having more does not make you happier ( in fact it seems to be quite the opposite)
*We don’t want to add to landfill
*We want to be more aware and intentional about how we spend our money
*We want to simplify our lives
I knew we were not the first to take this pledge but I was surprised to find out how many people we are joining. One google search connected me to
The Compact
#1 Don't buy new products of any kind (from stores, web sites, etc.)
#2 Do Borrow, barter, or buy used.
We are allowing some exceptions (which seem in line with others who have "signed" the Compact)
-Food
-Consumables (like toilet paper, light bulbs)
-Health/safety products ( toothpaste, soap, medicine)
-Underwear/sox
-For the boys: shoes and if we can not find resale jeans, OK to buy new)
Full disclosure: we did have some last minute purchases. These were things that we had on our "To buy" list for most of last year.
Our last minute purchases
-Two lamps for the living room ( we have looked for used for over a year)
-Curtains for the living room ( our last ones being chewed by pet rats- don't ask)
-A water conserving shower head
-A new fire/smoke alarm
-A lamp for my drawing table downstairs
-Three cake pans which I have not been able to find at Goodwill ( I love to bake!)
And so we begin...........
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2 comments:
Julie - your Mom asks good questions. My first reaction to your resolution was "all things in moderation", but I think your exceptions to the rule are good and trust that you and Mark will know when to 'break' resolutions for the good of the family and individual. Secondly, and this ties into your Mom's worries about the economy, I think we need to augment the concept of sustainability with resilience. We know that there are good times and bad, happy and sad, extravagance and penny-pinching. The businesses, organizations and governments of our society need to be constructed with threads that make them resilient, not just efficient. As a society we aren't talking about this, or any new models, and I find that troubling. Our government seems to want us to return to the lavish over-spending many indulged in to jumpstart the economy, and our economic structures count our lack of new housing starts, failure to return to living beyond our means, and new penchant for saving as evidence of continued recession. Yes, we are still in a situation I describe as "failure to thrive", but we need new behaviors and processes, new economic measures, and new structures (and jobs) within our society. We need to transform ourselves into a healthy society before we will thrive. A society that relies on the selling of bling and trinkets or the flipping of houses is not one that is healthy. one. Lets look at the core needs of humans -- can we meet those? Then, lets meet the core needs of Earth, without which humans cannot survive. We need to be creative, innovate new products, services and processes that create new jobs and economic successes for our economy while fostering life on Earth. If we can foster quality life, then I think we will be better able to weather some of the crises that are sure to come. The old ways don't work now, and won't in the future. And we aren't making good use of the time we have to change.
Just came across this "Sustainable Refrainable" poster contest and totally thought of you - some potential blog graphics... http://www.core77.com/blog/competition/sustainable_refrainables_poster_design_competition_vote_for_the_winners_18236.asp
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