Why?

Why am I blogging about this?
Well, let's see. I enjoy documenting my life. It seems that after we put the kids to bed at night I want to feel like an adult. The Compact is something I feel strongly about, something I want to be apart of, something I want to share with others.

What is The Compact?
From Wikipedia

'The Compact is a social and environment movement where members promise not to buy anything new for a year. It was started in San Francisco. ^[1] The movement began as a challenge among 10 friends in 2006. ^[2]

Goals of The Compact:

1. 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;
2. to reduce clutter and waste in our homes (as in trash Compact-er);
3. to simplify our lives (as in Calm-pact)

Members of The Compact are only allowed to buy underwear, food, and health and safety items such as brake fluid and toilet paper. During their one year vow the Compact members must shop only at second hand stores. They can also barter or simply share with each other for goods they want. One's trash is another's treasure. Compacters use Freecycle.org or freegle http://www.ilovefreegle.org/ where they post what they want and what they are giving away so that they can avoid buying new and still get the goods they want. Craigslist.org is another source of used goods.

Members of the Compact frown upon material consumerism. However, they are allowed to use services such as movies, theaters, museums, massages, haircuts, and music downloads. There is a difference between wanting and needing and Compact Members know the difference. There are currently thousands of members and about 100 new members join every day. In San Francisco local Compacters also enjoy the Really Really Free Market (RRFM). RRFM gathers in Dolores Park park to give away material goods they no longer want and what they want or to share skills and talents. Compacters prefer to shop at local food markets rather than supermarkets because they wish to support the local community.

Who am I and why do I care about The Compact?
I'm a wife and mama. We try to live a frugal lifestyle and I want to teach my children how to be frugal. Frugality may have a negative connotation to some, but it really doesn't need to. To us, it just means that we need to be aware of what we're buying and always try to get the best deal.

What will I share in this blog?
Well, first and foremost I will be sharing my thrift store finds. I live just a few minutes from the best thrift store ever. It's a Salvation Army Bargain Center. I love this place and well, so does my mom. We go about once a week and score some good deals. My kids are the biggest part of why I shop 2nd hand. They're always growing and when one them hits a growing spurt, than I need to stock up. This week alone I've found 3 items from Hanna Andersson. These are EXPENSIVE pieces and they all look like new and the total for all 3 was $4.67! I also donate all our clothing and household items. I also feel really good about donating and buying from "The Army" as my mom and I call it now because they are a Christian organization and that is something very dear to my heart.

Secondly, I'll be sharing my struggles, my triumphs, and probably how I explained to others my participation. Some people just don't understand why I would do this...