I Broke the Compact

Which of these shoes are not like the others? Which of these shoes doesn't belong? If you guessed the white ones, you are wrong...

The shoes that don't belong are the ones on the right, the newly purchased Birkenstock sandals. They don't belong because I bought them new, while the others in the picture, I obtained used through my local thrift shop.

I joined the Compact at the beginning of this year, vowing to not buy anything new for all of 2010 and I have done great, not bringing anything new into my life up until now. But yesterday, in a weak moment, I caved. Not so much because I felt I had to have a brand new pair of shoes, but more so because I haven't been able to find a pair of sandals I liked used. Each week, I have trucked over to the thrift shop in hopes of finding what I have been looking for but instead I have returned with shoes that don't quite fit the bill.

All I wanted was a simple pair of flat brown sandals. With the weather warming, the need has grown. Was it a real need, one that required me to take resources from the natural world to generate it just for me? I can't answer that. I just know the desire to have them was postponed over several months as I searched for alternatives. The purchase was not made on impulse and was well thought out.

So, yes, I broke the Compact. But I did so in a very well thought out kind of way. Maybe that is the point of the Compact. To really think through our purchases which in turn will vastly reduce the purchases made.

To my credit, all of my clothing purchases for this year have been used. The outfit I wore to my son's college graduation, pairs of shorts, jeans, shirts etc...Even all of my shoes (except for the Birk's above) have been used. To be honest, I didn't think I would ever purchase and wear someone else's shoes, but I have and do.

I must say, I love buying and wearing used clothing. I enjoy the thrill of the hunt and love how my finds are exposing me to new fun ways of dressing that I may not have considered before. I especially feel good on the days when I realize I am wearing an entire outfit comprised of thrift store clothing. Good for me and the planet.

Compact 2010...A New Way to Shop

So far so good in my attempt to buy nothing new for all of 2010, even though I have been tempted on a few occasions. These occasions came when I was out shopping with my husband as he picked up essentials he needed for work or with my son as he replaced clothing he had grown out of. On these shopping excursions, I couldn't help but wander off to one of my favorite stores to check out their offerings and in no time at all, I would find myself trying things on in the dressing room or slipping my feet into a new pair of shoes. At these times, I would usually tell myself that I quite possibly did need a new outfit for my son's upcoming college graduation, or that my current jeans were ill-fitting and it would be OK to break the Compact for that reason.

But I didn't break the Compact that I had made with both myself and the earth, and didn't bow to temptation, even when confronted with a pair of Frye boots on sale- something I have been longing to own for several years. Time and time again over the last three months, I have simply walked away, telling myself I could always go back if I really needed to, but never actually doing it.

The walking away was made easier in part because I discovered a real gem in my area- a thrift store that sells wonderful high quality clothing. I have been shopping at thrift stores and garage sales for clothing since my 22 year old son started school and have found many nice things over the years, but never before have I found a store with such a nice selection. Another benefit is that many times the clothing I find at my local thrift store is of a higher quality than what I could find at the mall. On a recent weekend tagging along as my husband shopped for new suits at a local mall, I decided to look for something to wear to my son's graduation. I was dismayed at the flimsy material on a outfit I saw at a J.Jill store and happily found a much nicer outfit the following week at the thrift store. Based on the quality, the thrift store outfit would cost much more new than I would ever consider spending which ultimately allows me to spend less to look better.

The pictures above show just a few of the things I have picked up in the last few weeks. I visit the thrift store once a week to check out their current stock and pick up those things I may need for this season or next winter, expanding my wardrobe without impacting the planet. I find it fun and challenging to shop this way and love the thrill of the hunt. All of the women that work at the thrift shop purchase their clothing there and it is amazing to see the fantastic outfits they come up with. It inspires me to try new and different things myself.

Even though I find it easier to find great outfits at my thrift store here than some of the other stores I have tried in the past, I do know that something essential or unique can be found at any thrift store you try. From cloth napkins to books to furniture....I have found it all at a thrift store. Give it a try...you never know what is going to turn up!

Thrift Shop finds...

The breakfast bar in the house we are renting has been without bar stools ever since we moved in six months ago. At one point around Christmas, when our dining table was covered with my son's winter village scene, I found myself standing before a display of low quality expensive bar stools at Target, contemplating a purchase so that we would have somewhere to sit and eat during the holidays. Luckily, I thought long and hard about the decision and ultimately decided against it, hating to bring more unnecessary crap into the world.

Today, as I strolled through a local thrift shop, I was rewarded for my decision. There before me stood two vintage bar stools, strong and sturdy, ready for a new home. I knew immediately they would fit in with my decor which is comprised of a combination of antique shop, flea market, and thrift shop finds. The stools had a special quality about them, their style reminding me of my Grandmother's cottage in northern Michigan.

Within a matter of minutes, the stools were mine and I was on my way home to have my dog Layla give the chairs a sniff and offer up her stamp of approval. I wonder about the people who owned these chairs before me and the stories the stools could tell. I look forward to adding my family's stories to the bank of collected tales these chairs hold within.

I'm a boring Compacter...

I've decided that I am a pretty boring Compacter. I really don't have much to say about my trials and tribulations regarding compacting because I am finding it pretty easy. Just a month into a year long attempt to not buy anything new and I am not finding it a struggle at all. While my son and husband are not "officially" on the Compact journey with me, my husband is limiting his purchases to work clothing and my son is only buying clothing and whatever he can afford with his own money.

As a child of depression era grandparents, their make-do attitudes must have somehow rubbed off on me and keeps me from buying new things. I tend to use what I have until it is truly useless and even then I typically figure out a way to jury rig it so that it becomes functional again. My snow shovel in the picture above has seen many Chicago winters and even though the blade tends to bend up at times, a good whack on the driveway pushes it back into useful form.

These pans of mine, purchased when my husband and I first married almost 25 years ago have not had handles for many years. They are the primary pans we use for cooking and work just fine with a potholder.

A few sets of our sheets are patched as shown above. It extends the life and keeps one from catching their foot or hand in the sheet and ripping it further.

The antenna on our phone has broken several times, rendering the phone useless. I finally duct-taped a Popsicle stick around the antenna and it has worked good as new for several years now.

Do you also have items around your house which have been pressed back into service? I would love to hear about them!

Compacting with Teens...

This year I joined the Compact in an attempt to not buy anything new (with food, toiletries, etc... being exempt) for all of 2010. So far this year, I have personally stayed within the Compact guidelines I established for myself.

Others in my family have not fared as well. Early on in our Compact year, my son was invited to a Bar Mitzvah which involved purchasing a new blazer, nice white shirt and khaki pants. Luckily we could use my husband's dress shoes and a tie to complete the outfit. The last minute invite was received on a Wednesday night, the Bar Mitzvah started on Saturday at 10am. Because I am still relatively new to this area, I didn't have a single inkling about how or where to obtain these items used, so I was forced to haul out the credit card and buy them. It did cross my mind to rent the outfit, but it would have cost $130 and I wasn't willing to invest that amount of money each time a Bar Mitzvah invitation came along. The purchase of these items made me feel like I was failing the Compact before I even started. The good thing was it made me realize that I needed to get organized and find the thrift shops in my area in order to find used clothing and gear for teens. Being on the Compact is easy for me as an adult, but a completely different story for a growing teen.

With this idea in mind, I did some online research and was able to turn up some used clothing and gear resources for teens. Unfortunately, the clothing option is not located in my area but I include it here for those of you that may be able to benefit from the information.

Here are the resources I have found so far:

Game Stop- buy and sell your used video games and video game systems
Plato's Closet- buy and sell name brand used clothing specifically for teens
Play it Again Sports- buy and sell used sporting goods

I would love to add to this list so if you know of any other teen oriented used resources, please pass them along in my comment section. Thanks so much.

Compact 2010: How to acquire books when you can't buy them new...

I just finished reading Michael Ableman's book "Field's of Plenty" in which Michael transported me on a wonderful journey across America as he made visits to many different types of organic farms. Throughout his book, Michael brought the ideas of local food, simple living, and homesteading to life, which in turn inspired me to do further reading on the subject.

Problem was, because I was participating in the Compact this year, I wasn't able to go out and buy new books to quench my thirst on this subject. I needed to find a way to obtain books either used or borrowed that satisfied my need.

Imagine my surprise when I discovered a book swap shed open three times a week at a transfer station within a decent drive of my home. There is no requirement to donate books. There is a limit to the number of books you can take for free which is ten books per family per visit. The shed itself was like a mini library and was actively being used by many people. What a great idea! The books were even sorted by fiction and non-fiction.

After a bit of searching at the shed, I came across a nine volume set of Rodale organic gardening manuals. I felt a bit guilty taking them all for myself, but I knew I would give them a good home. I also knew I would be back next time with lots of books of my own to donate.

Desiring to find more books on my topic, I then headed to the public library where I was able to fill my bag with a huge selection of books on simple living, homesteading, organic food, farmer's markets and gardening. Granted, the drawback is I don't get to keep these books, but with the opportunity to renew twice, they will feel like mine for at least nine weeks. I even have a special cupboard I keep them in at home. If I find I must own one of these books because it ends up being a fantastic reference book, then I will buy it used through Alibris or Amazon.

I keep a list of the library books I read and if I should find I need to access the book again, I will simply check it out of the library once again. It isn't very often that I need to put my hands on a book more than once. I will admit I do get attached to certain books, especially if they impart on me a way of life that I aspire to. If you look closely at the books above, you will see that my library copy of "Fields of Plenty" still rests comfortably amongst my other library books on my shelf at home. I kept it for the whole maximum nine week checkout period and then the library let me check it out for another nine week cycle. Wonder if they would let me continue to to renew indefinitely...would be a great way to build a library of my own.

My Version of Compact 2010

This afternoon I ran over my bike pump with my car and am left wondering if it will work properly when I need to use it. Under the rules of the Compact, I am required to borrow or find a used pump (rather than purchasing a new one) if my pump is indeed broken. Thinking about the gas I will expend as I search second hand shops for a used pump makes me wonder if I will even end up saving resources over purchasing a new one. Because I use my bike for transportation, I see a bike pump as an essential piece of equipment. If I am not able to use my bike to get around, I end up using my car which leads to an even bigger impact.

I really don't want to be left borrowing a bike pump as the need arises. Tires can come up unexpectedly flat and without a reliable pump to remedy the situation, I could be left high and dry. Or in this case flat and at home. So, I have decided to lump a bike pump in with acceptable purchases found in the transportation category. That being said, here is how I plan to implement the Compact for 2010:

• Shelter- I will only make purchases pertaining to the required maintenance and lighting of the place I live in. I will purchase vinegar and baking soda to be used in cleaning. I will not purchase any new furniture, linens, kitchen equipment, technology related stuff etc...
• Energy use- I will keep the use of water, heat, electricity and gasoline to a bare minimum by practicing conservation measures.
• Transportation- I will only make purchases for gasoline and required maintenance of my vehicles. I will walk or bike most places or use public transportation. My car will be used sparingly. I will not travel by air.
• Clothing/Shoes- I will only purchase underwear and socks as needed. No shoes, no clothing, no nothing whatsoever period! Any clothing I need that I don't already possess, will be purchased used or borrowed.
• Office Supplies- Will only purchase stamps, or other required staples as needed and only if can't be found used.
• Books, Newspaper, Magazines- I will purchase the NY Times each Sunday or read the copy left behind at Starbucks. Books will be obtained from the library, or purchased from used sources. Magazines will be read online.
• Toiletries/Health- I will purchase those items as needed to maintain health and personal cleanliness.
• Gifts- I will not make any gift purchases this year with one exception- I will give money as a gift to my son as his college graduation present which he will probably use to purchase a laptop. All other gifts will be something that can be consumed such as a membership to a museum or a food item, handmade by me or acquired used.
• Food- I will eat as local as possible to avoid excessive transportation costs and will eat less meat. Also buy more bulk food to avoid packaging waste. Will eat primarily organic to avoid the destructive nature of conventional food. Will not eat at any fast food establishments that produce single-use paper waste. I will use a reusable mug when visiting coffee shops, cloth napkins over paper at home.
• Vacation/Leisure- I will minimize my travel and only pursue low-impact vacation options such as staying with friends or camping. I will avoid entertainment that wastes large amounts of energy or water such as Disneyland or water parks (this part is easy because I NEVER visit these sorts of places).

I am sure I will need to update this list as I go along. Not so much to adjust it so that I can buy something, but more so because I find I forgot to address something. I feel my version of the Compact suits me well and takes into account my desire to reduce my overall impact.

Granted, the idea of Compact 2010 is imperfect. It is not meant to be the answer to our environmental problems, but more a vehicle to help create awareness. Maybe the answer can be found through this new found awareness.

Lightness of Being - Compact 2010

It was synchronicity at work which caused me to see how the phrase "Lightness of Being" could be used to define the changes I am bringing into my life for the new year. Two seemingly unrelated events- one which involved me joining the Compact and the other which involved me taking part in an exercise at church yesterday, came together to help me understand that in order to simply "be", I need to travel light both physically and emotionally.

In other words, the path to my true self, or "Lightness of Being", is found by getting rid of both my physical material goods (as required in the Compact) and emotional baggage (as the church exercise asked). Excessive possessions and negative emotions (such as sadness, disappointments, and worries) keep me from my inner essence, cluttering my physical space and mind.

As I entered my UU church yesterday, all of the chairs were gathered around the fireplace in which a large fire was roaring. The setting felt intimate and comfortable, a place in which it would be easy to "get real" with myself. After singing the hymn "This Little Light of Mine", we were asked to write down on a sheet of paper the things we wanted to leave behind as the new year began. We each wrote down the things we wanted to shed and then placed our paper into the fire. It felt good to watch my list go up in flames, almost like I was instantly healed of all past concerns and worries. That I would somehow be fresh and new and the energy I once used to manage my hurts would now be redirected toward getting to know the real me better.

This year, as I attempt to toss some of my concerns into the fire and try to remove myself from the work of buying and maintaining stuff, I will find I have time for long walks in nature, or better opportunities to stop and listen to thunderstorms. A moment to watch snow drift slowly toward earth, or an afternoon spent sitting on the beach. This freedom from life's distractions will allow me more time to slow down and think, to meditate and come to understand my true inner self. To strive toward "Lightness of Being"

I'm joining the Compact for 2010

In anticipation of joining the Compact for 2010, I headed over to American Eagle today to buy my son a new pair of jeans. I have my fingers crossed that my thirteen year old son won't grow this year and that the three pair of jeans he now owns will tide him over until year end. Somehow, I know this won't be the case and I will be forced to find pants for him at a resale shop. Looking for used kid sized pants that don't have holes in the knees or stains is pretty impossible, so I am worried. Even as I write this, I am thinking about how Ryan probably will need new shorts this summer too and maybe I should order some for him online tonight before I officially join the Compact at midnight.

The Compact is a group of people that decide to avoid purchases of new products for a full year with the exception of personal care items and food. Recycled and used items are allowed in place of new purchases. I have considered joining the Compact in prior years but felt I did a pretty good of managing purchases on my own. Lately, living in a more style conscious area, I have found myself more influenced by consumer goods and really would like to stem the flow of stuff from entering my house. Since moving here six months ago, I have purchased (or received as gifts for Christmas) three new pairs of pants, four t-shirts, three long sleeve shirts, three fleece shirts, two pairs of shoes, 3 scarfs, a hat, and two down sweaters. Unfortunately, in the month prior to moving here, I picked up about eight other articles of clothing. Yikes, all total, probably enough stuff to keep me clothed for many, many years.

In the days leading up to the start of the Compact I have felt the challenge of not buying anything new for a year sounded easy, but as I sit here writing about my purchases in 2009, I am worried. Obviously, I am much more caught up in stuff than I have been willing to let myself believe. In my defense, I think of the ironed patches covering the holes on my bedsheets, my ten year old car in the drive, my antique bedspreads, shoes in my closet I have had forever, and many, many other old goods I own and use. I am reminded that not all the stuff I have in my life has to be new. Maybe it is just the clothing...and the shoes...and the coats. Yes, that really is where my problem lies, but it probably is in other areas that I am not even aware of as well. Starting the Compact and thinking about not buying anything for a year will shine a light on where I need to make changes. As I think about it now, after writing this post, I am afraid. The challenge doesn't sound easy anymore and I hope I am able to live up to the challenge. I want to be successful because I understand from others that have participated in the Compact before me that much insight can be gained about what really is important in life. A big lesson for the cost of a few less pairs of pants.