Posted on 01/07/2007 4:48:05 PM PST by fishhound
It started as a pledge over dinner between friends worried about the impact of mass consumerism and today's disposable society.
"Let's see if we can give up shopping for a year," they said. advertisement
Now, at the close of the "12-month flight from the consumer grid" — in which the 10 friends were egged on by thousands of supporters inspired by their idea — some have declared the experiment so revelatory and life-changing that they plan to continue the boycott indefinitely.
The 10 middle-class professionals living in San Francisco dubbed themselves the "Compact" after the Mayflower Compact, drafted by Puritan pilgrims who reached the New World in 1620.
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
I used it when I was in the Air Force, I think I still have a can of black and one of neutral around here somewhere.
...or at least what I was thinking at time. *sigh*
I use shoe polish, and my Dad did too (I ended up with his propomotional pack of black and brown polish, two brushes and buffing cloth).
If you need good heating repair call WAlnut 6-2243.
Yeah, and If I remember correctly, this story has run for the last 2 years as well.. I seem to remember seeing a "We have not shopped all year" story last year for sure. Seems like every year someone else tries it.
As a matter of fact, a couple of the very well to do from a City near mine, appeared in my particular Salvation Army one day. We waved at each other from a distance, almost a wink, 'cuz they'd caught me coming out of their local "2nd hand place" the month before.
A bargain's a bargain -- doesn't matter what income class you are in.
HA HA HA, thanks for the laugh.
I can just picture trying to do that, wouldn't work for us
=Different schedules.
PIMF.
"Of course, though, if you want to do this, great. If you don't, you have that choice too...and if you think that these ten folks are idiots, you are definitely allowed your own beliefs."
I just wonder what they ate if they never went shopping.
>>After seeing the insane automaton shoppers this ChristmaS in my area and those waiting in lines at 6pm on Thanksgiving day I can appreciate this.
We went to Churchill Downs on Black Friday, with an extended family group of 14 or so people, from age 4 to age 72. It was great, and would have been even if the patriarch and matriarch hadn't both won "big" ($200 and $1400[!!]), and we're people who buy a $2 ticket or two per race. Club level seats were a whopping $10 each, food was reasonable, it was a bright sunny day, and we all had a great time.
It beat the heck out of fighting crowds at the mall. I'd rather take a beating, than do that.
What I love about the one close to work is it's the cities central hub store, so it usually has the best stuff.
And I don't feel guilty if I buy something goofy I've been wanting to try (Bread machine). If it doesn't work out, I bring it back. But most of my house is decorated in Early Goodwill.
As for the main topic, again, these people weren't meddling in anybody's affairs except their own. They simply bought less and conserved their money.
And from Adam Smith
The Wealth of Nations, Book II, Chapter III
Parsimony, and not industry, is the immediate cause of the increase of capital. Industry, indeed, provides the subject which parsimony accumulates. But whatever industry might acquire, if parsimony did not save and store up, the capital would never be the greater.
Let's not go there.
Hey.you got to be with family (priceless),
shoppers got stuff from really articulate and informed.... teenagers.........LOL
sounds like like you had a great day....good for you!
"Wackos. But let 'em be wackos if they want; it's just more for me."
I'm with you.
Plus 10 less people in line in front of me, and 10 less carts in my way when I shop. :)
You hit the nail on the head. They don't have a problem with taking gift certificates as presents. But since they don't shop, they won't be buying many presents--just hand mades or hand me downs.
It's one thing to be frugal and live within once's means, but this group sounds like they are trying to make their own stinginess some type of statement.
Or maybe a wife will file when she finds out he's got a girl-friend who lavishes him with gifts and comfort while he shops at Victoria's Secret for her.
If the husbands are obsessed feminized liberals like their wives, who cares what happens.
These people are so 60's.
Leni
there is no doubt we have a savings problem here in the U.S.
I had to use it constantly when I was in the Corps. To this day, if I didn't have shoes, I'd probably absentmindedly spitshine my feet.
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