The Compact

It's funny, because I collect 20th century compacts, those metal containers of makeup and mirrors
women used to use to "freshen up" I love them because they are simple and affordable and they
express a girly blingness, the sparkily the better. They're cool and they don't break the bank. Then I found a different type of compact and it changed my life.
On 1/8/2008, there was an article in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune about a different Compact, a group of people in San Franciso, who made a compact, or a group vow, not to buy anything new for one year. The article was e-mailed to me in a sort of backhanded, "Here, look at these weirdos, you'll fit right in". I immediately joined the yahoo group of the compact and I did fit right in.
Now, there are over 10,000 members of the compact and only about 30 of us who post regularly, and a few hundred irregularly. Many have blogs, like the non-consumer advocate, where they write about like post-consumer.
Now, I will admit, I am not post-consumer. Potsdam does not have the resources for me to do so. There is no public transportation to speak of and no local goodwills. The closest decent market is in Massena and the freecycle does not have enough folks to give us all used stuff here. I do get some things and I curb my excess in warm weather.
However. my life has massively changed in the past year. I began shopping almost exclusively at Amish stands, farmers markets and the local co-op. My refrigerator, freezer and pantry is full of food, cheaply amassed. I eat only grass fed organic meat and rarely. I make my own detergent and degreaser and wash my hair with baking soda (try it, it's wonderful). I traded working hours to buy my new winter clothes. I walk downtown and to work so much, people have begun picking Arthur and I up and insisting we ride with them.
I am happier, my life feels more in control and I have made the goal to constantly take it further.
Here is article about the original compact http://www.good.is/?p=6390.
We have every type of person, right and left wingers, Christians, Jews, atheists, etc. Suburbanites, city dwellers, homesteaders, country mice, we have it all. One common ingredient, they are all thinking folks, who see things they want to change and by not consuming, they are changing their lives.
The compact has spread all over the country and in many countries.