New year, new challenge
It's a new year, and a new decade, and like millions of others, Alex and I have made resolutions. Of course, there are the usual suspects - get in shape, keep the house cleaner, watch less TV, etc. But, the one we're most excited about is our most challenging. For the next year, Alex and I have resolved to stop buying.
This is not an original idea - it was inspired by Judith Levine's 2006 book "Not Buying It: My Year without Shopping." The book essentially tries to distinguish between needs and wants and how we decide which is which. I really liked the book, although a quick read of the amazon.com customer reviews shows me that maybe I'm one of the few.
Of course, we will still pay bills, buy groceries and gas, still take the dogs to the vet. But, we will not, hopefully, buy a single thing we don't NEED for the next year. I'm inviting you all along for the journey, partially because I think it might be funny, but primarily to hold us accountable. Also, I might need some input along the way to help us make decisions.
We're planning to write up a contract for the project, so I'll share all the rules and regulations soon.
Feel free to write in with any thoughts or suggestions - but please don't tell us we're nuts. :-)
Happy New Year to you all!
posted by Kaylex Porter @ 7:38 PM
9 Comments
9 Comments:
No, Kayla & Alex, you are not 'nuts'! I support your ambition. You have simply decided to embrace economic responsibility, as the poor have done daily throughout history, and some wealthier people have done on occasion during times of 'deep' recession and depression, especially when 'easy' credit becomes scarce. I wouldn't call it fun, but it beats jumping from a bridge or skyscraper, eh? ;)
Good luck with your resolution, Kayla and Alex! When we were young and struggling, I think we probably did this unintentionally! Now that the kids are out of college and have a little money, we probably spend a little too much, but we still buy for the kids! Good luck with your noble enterprise!
I for one LOVED the book. Perhaps my favorite was when she bought pants or something for $1 at the thrift store and confessed, "readers, I have sinned." Sometimes I say this when I just bought something I know I didn't need :)
Wow! When did you decide this?! I don't remember any mention of it when we saw each other. I'm all for it and very curious to see what happens. When I was working in Maine, I met a woman who was so good at this, they only bought a small box of Ziploc bags once a year and put out trash once a year. I was amazed!
I would also like to know how you are going to determine the difference between needed and wanted items. Is digital cable needed? Or is that free thru Alex? What about food? Are you going to be switching to off-brands or cutting down on non-staples? And what about gifts - for birthdays, anniversary, Christmas? And hygiene products? Obviously I'm curious. :)
I've heard of this before and briefly considered it a year or so ago when I was in my coupon phase. Good luck with it, I'm very interested to see how it goes.
Wow! I sure hope we get an ugly spring, summer, fall and winter line this year - :) I will be your watchdog at J.Jill. This should be very interesting. I always find when I am trying to do better that I will return anything I bought for myself -while the boys end up with lots of deals that I just couldn't pass up. Funny what we can justify.
I must finish the book ASAP, so I can help guide you through your journey! James and I have similarly resolved to tighten our wallets in 2010 though not by choice, but because of school loans and our dog's hospital bill :)
Best Wishes to you. Can't wait to hear about it.
Good luck with the project! Looking forward to reading about it.
I just looked over at Joe and told him I would die. I wish you all the luck. I know how hard-headed you can be, so you will probably be pretty good at this. (Hard-headed in a good way.) I have no self control. I just bought over $100 of underwear at the Victoria Secret sale, but everyone NEEDS cute undies. Right? ;o)
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