Compacting 2007

I have resolved not to buy anything new for one year. If I can recall, I believe I started a few days after January 1st, but I'm just going to say that December 31st is the day I'm shooting for.

The original rules for the Compact are here.

So, here are my resolutions for the Compact:

My Compacting Goals for 2007:

1) To not buy anything brand new, except food and hygiene projects.

2) To knit from my stash rather than buy new yarn. If I want to knit something and I don't have the yarn for it, then I will got to a Goodwill, Salvation Army or yard sale and recycle the yarn from a sweater.

3) Use public transportation when possible - especially for work. The bus system in Charlottesville is great and there's no need to drive the car.

4) Hold a yard sale in the spring for unwanted items - start now by collecting items around the house that are just taking up space and bring them down to the basement. In March, start sorting the items to make the yard sale easier when the late spring/early summer comes. Also, bring clothes in good shape to the consignment store.

5) Whenever I receive a catalog in the mail that I don't want, immediately unsubscribe either by calling or by going online.

6) Once a week, carry a bag around the house to collect at least 30 papers to recycle. Also carry a bag around the house to collect items for the yard sale and the consignment shop.

7) Post wanted ads on craigslist and freecycle if I do find that I need something I don't have, or ask a friend to borrow it.

8) Sign up at the local library for a membership so I won't be tempted to go to Barnes and Noble for a new book. I have already started a book club with friends where we send each other books that we've read and another member wants to read. That way, there's no need to buy any new books. If I do have books that I've read and no one is interested in reading them, I give them to the local used book store, and I am awarded a credit for used books to buy.

9) Make my own cards to send to friends and family. Start early on holiday cards so I'm not forced to buy at the end of the year for lackof time.

10) Do not be judgmental towards others when they don't follow the same rules of compacting as you do.

11) When looking for something to do with friends - instead of immediately offering to do dinner out - suggest making dinner together at home.

12) Wait for movies to come out on video rather than run to the movies as soon as the movie hits the theatres.

13) Learn how to make one hand-made thing a month - ideas so far are paper, loofah, soap and shampoo.

14) Any money yielded from the yard sale or consignment shop goes toward saving for my wedding.

15) Make my own invitations for my wedding.

16) When a friend comes to visit, instead of immediately suggesting -let's go to the downtown mall (an area in Charlottesville with shoppping and restaurants) - suggest going to a museum or one of the million places having to do with one of our former Presidents (I live in Charlottesville, near the home of Thomas Jefferson, Monroe and Madison), or even a winery or hiking.

17) Watch less television, so I won't be tempted by commercials.

18) Unsubscribe from e-mails from companies who e-mail coupons -again, so I won't be tempted.

19) For every item I bring into the house, I must give one item away, or add an item to the yard sale pile.

20) Do not beat yourself up for every slip up that you make. Just brush yourself off, learn what went wrong, and get back on the horse.

I am studying for the bar and working part time, while my mother is undergoing treatment for breast cancer, so I may not be able to post for a while, but I will make sure to keep track of my progress in my home-made Compacting journal to transfer here when I get a chance.

Wish me luck!