I was reading an online article about groups of people across the US forming pacts to not buy anything new for a year. They are mostly planet conscious folks. For the most part, I think I could do this. There are lots of garage sales and thrift stores to buy used items. I don't do freecycle and hate our freecycle board so I don't know if I could do that. I think the hardest would be if something broke (like the car or someone had wiper blades break and couldn't buy new ones due to the pact).

You think you and your household could go a year without buying anything new (not counting groceries of coarse)?

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Proud to say I haven't shopped at a Wal-Mart since Sept 2003

No -- I could not do it. There are just some things I won't buy second-hand, like underware, socks and shoes, so unless I stocked up at the end of the previous year (which seems to defeat the purpose), I could not do it. For myself, I could maybe go a year without buying anything new for me, but not for my kids. My boys are very tall and thin and it's hard to find pants that fit them right, let alone at a thrift or consignment store/sale.

Sarah........mom to Jason & Devin

Ummm Lemme think......NO!!!

LOL I love to shop too much!

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I can't even go a week.....

NO WAY LOL., I cant even begin to think about not getitng the deals...

I dont want to even think about it either. Since Dec 26th I have manage to completely be done with the next 2 christmas for all 4 kids at home, my daughter ,& my son-in-laws, My Step-Daughter and all 7 1/2 grandchildren.

I got deals on everything I know my kids like and enjoy.

A few examples

I-QUEST and the Games for 10 year old, reg I-Quest 59.99 Paid 35.00, Games 3 pk Reg 25.00 paid 10.00 Savings over 40.00 and I would have paid the full price next christmas because my 10 has already asked for this.

The boys both asked for the hubber craft ( The boat that goes over water/land/snow. Reg price was 69.99 I got them both 1 for 23.00 each savings of 92.00, also another iten I would of paid full price for next christmas.

4 year old wanted the dora's magic castle I found 1 at wal-mart for 30.00 reg price 59.00 saved 30.00 These aere just a few items I got on the after christmas toy sales.

I have spent I would say about 1000.00 on all the things i got, However, these items will take us thru the next 2 christmas so 500.00 for each christmas for 15 people comes to 33.00 per person not bad i say. So no way would i be able to go 1 year w/o shopping for new items, heck couldnt even make it thru 1 day LOL

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MyCoupons Is #1 for Holiday Shopping

[size="5"]ABSOLUTELY NOT, I love to bargain hunt and have to admit that I do buy when I don't even need something. I just stash it away and use it some other time. Never pay full price for anything unless I absolutley need it.

I absolutely can and do recycle as much as possible but don't think I could go a full year without buying something new... That is actually mainly because of convenience. I can look for weeks and weeks at the thrift store for a specific item and if it is something that I really need, I can be pretty persistent but with the waste in gas to get there, I don't feel that it is good for the environment either... That is a tough call!

Not to the extent these folks do, but I don't buy much of anything besides food anyway.

Nope can't do it. Between my kids school supplies, school clothes,shoes, etc...there is no way I could go a whole year without anything new.

I could probably go a year without buying anything new for me.

I would assume this applies to ALL purchases, right? How would you go about giving gifts for birthdays and Christmas, etc.? I don't know about everyone else, but I don't know how I would feel about receiving a gift that wasn't 'new' and I definately wouldn't give something I bought second-hand.

No

I love to shop and the kids always need things.

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Dawnie
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If there is a will there is a way!

No way, not a chance, not even maybe!

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Melissa
Mom of Kiefer, Kaitlan, Korrey, and my very special Heavenly Angel, Kieran^i^

They give home made gifts (from the kitchen, etc) or they donate time in the person's name....things like that. They would do stuff for you (walk your dog, cook you dinner, etc).

I think for the most part we could do 6 months. I have enough *stuff* stocked that it wouldn't be an issue. I'm not a big shopper anyway but I don't like 2nd hand stuff a lot for me. I have lots of allergies so can't be from a pet household or a smokers. Some things don't come out in the wash...I can still smell it

I am loving the responses

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Proud to say I haven't shopped at a Wal-Mart since Sept 2003

What an interesting question. I buy at thrift stores and garage sales all the time. Unfortunately, not everything I need can be found there at the right times. With a family of 6, there is no way I could go a year without buying something new. I don't think my kids would enjoy homemade gifts for their birthdays and Christmas either. My kids are very appreciative of what little they have, but come on, they want a cool new toy for their birthdays!

No Way! Especially if Target has more 90% off sales like I shopped at today! I love the thrill of the hunt and I shop A LOT at thrift stores, we have New/Better Quality section in ours that have a lot of brand new items, but some things I have to have brand new from a regular store.

Sexysmurf...sorry your Freecycle isn't working out for you. Ours is wonderful. I give and recieve a lot there. (Picked up 9 new Bath & Body work products this morning from a lovely lady and gave away 2 boxes of toys (some even new with tags that my kids had outgrown before playing withA) to a couple of people yesterday).

Our Freecycle Rocks and everyone gets along (for the most part, we do have one or 2 people that don't like to play by the rules, but they have been banned and when we find them signing up with other names, e-mails etc. we ban them again).

Wish I could go a year without buying as we could save lots of money....but heck....that is what these boards are for right!

Good Luck to those of you who are willing to give it a try!

- Jenn

I just read the same article. Socks, undies, toothpaste, and normal things like that are okay to buy - I don't think anyone wants someone's old undies. YUCK - even the thought of it grosses me out!

I don't know if I can go an entire year without buying anything - - but, I did tell the kids that in 2007 we are going to try something new. We aren't going to go to a store and buy something just cause we see it and would like it. We are going to go to the store, get what we came for, and leave. Unless of course one of the kids has money and planned on buying something. No more "Mom, can I have this...pretty please??" I can't even tell you how much stuff I have around my house - that truthfully I really don't need!

I just emptied out the cabinet beneath my sink. It was crazy how many bottles of stuff that were opened and used only once or twice. I chucked it all into the trash, and now I am so happy with the clean open-space I have underneath there. I think it is just crazy to have so much, when I know I prefer certain brands. Does this make sense at all??

I think for 2007, I will just try and cut back on un-necessary spending! Wish me luck!!

With so many opportunities in my area to find for free or purchase used items .. yep I might be able to handle that.
We buy used for lots of things already, or make do with what we have.

Not sure if I could last an entire year, teen age boys always need shoes or school supplies.
DH's textbooks are not always available as used.
I splurge on myself very few times a year. And then only for a reason out of the ordinary due to trips planned, need it for work or for a special occasion like a wedding to attend.

Target lures me in every year after Christmas. We did buy a few things.. but a lot less than past years.
Even if it is 75% off, it's not a good deal if you don't really need it.

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Bernice

California here we come!!

No, I couldn't do it. I wish I could though, but I am too much of a shopper.

By the way SexySmurf, how the heck are you? It has been a long time since I have been to these boards and it was great to see your name.

No way! That would take so much fun away from my life " 90% at Target"

No I couldn't.
No I wouldn't
and
No Thank You.

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I probably could if I had to as long as I could buy groceries.

My dd already has clothes & shoes put away for the next 2 sizes up. I don't know if #2 is a boy or girl but I had a nice stash of things either way. We also have a neighborhood playgroup that is really good about loaning, swapping and just plan giving away unneeded kids stuff. My neighbor is already giving us a bed and linens for dd.

I have enough toys to open a toystore. My 3yo dd is covered until she's 9yo at least and I already have the favors for b-day parties#1 & 2 for #2.

I just stocked up on non-perishables so I could take advantage of the expiring Amazon $10 off $49 coupon. And I'm already loading up on diapers.

Having been on Mycoupons all these years I have tons of stuff I could swap. Since I'm not working this year, I think I might give it a try.

I tried to go a week without buying someone new and I just couldn't do it. I mean, how do they buy toothpaste and other personal items? Or are there exceptions to the rule?

Me either !

If I didn't shop I would lose all my free things I get by shopping, like my GAP points and my Target 10%coupons and then there are the BBW coupons....come on their are perks to shopping!

My Great Aunt gave me this advice a long time ago..."when you want to buy something ask yourself,
Do I need it?
Can I afford it?
Can I get along without it?"
Good advice, and I find myself following it more as I get older. I am even choosy on what deals I do. I cleaned out my gift closet before Christmas and donated a bunch of toys to toys for tots, and thats a good thing I suppose, but I bought a bunch of stuff we would never use .

Me? No way, I would hate buying something at a thrift store that I could have gotten new for the same price had I watched the sales... And I got a lot today, the mall had some great sales...

I'm actually 3 months into my Compact pledge.
Any health/beauty items, medication, and food are exempt from the "rules". I've included socks, underwear and towels into the exemptions as this is what works for my family.
I joined after hearing about it from other family members last year. Basically I joined as a way to simplify my life by decluttering my home, buying only what I truly need to live-not what the mainstream culture tells me I "need", shopping local, small businesses instead of the big box stores (I'm a small business owner myself) and really just focusing on what is important to my family and me. It hasn't been easy the whole time as I fight the urge constantly to go to the thrift store, just because, not when I truly need something.
For Christmas, my kids and I made gifts and baked goods for both sides of the family. They were a hit! I was expecting some backlash but there wasn't any at all.

Oh I meant to add that the "rules" are very open to interpretation and can mean one thing from one person to the next.

If I could, I would be canonized a saint for my great sacrifice! lol Seriously, since I shop for so many other people it would be very, very difficult for me. People depend on my bargain hunting for their Christmas presents, etc.... Plus, it's my main hobby besides reading!