Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Day 1 and I'm optimistic
Day 1 and I already scored a free lunch courtesy of training. Staying home tonight - no shopping. I'm thinking I will keep a tally of what money I do spend to see trends (or is that the management training talking now?) I think one month should be easy. Maybe try for two? Will see
Invitation to join the Shopping Sabbatical
For those who would like a formal invitation to pass on to others who are interested in what we are doing, you may like to use the text below:
Are YOU ready for a shopping sabbatical?
It’s January and Christmas has come and gone for another year. If you spent up big you may be suffering from the usual buyer’s remorse. Why not take a break from a consumerist lifestyle for a month? Take a shopping sabbatical to send your credit card back into the black, de-clutter your home and, hopefully, rediscover something about yourself.
Introducing “The Shopping Sabbatical”. The rules are simple:
For one month, starting 1st February 2007 (or whatever date you specify):
1. Don't buy new products of any kind (other than essentials – food, toiletries and medicines) from stores, web sites, etc.
2. Borrow, barter, or buy used.
The philosophy is not just an environmental one; it aims to go beyond recycling to combat the social and economic impacts of a disposable consumer culture, to experience a perspective on what is truly important in your life…and in your cupboards and garages.
There is no financial goal for us as organizers – the money you save is all yours, but donating it to your preferred charity would be an excellent way of documenting how much you have saved during the month. We understand that your shopping sabbatical will be challenging, and that is why we have set up an email support group. Your can post your story, missed bargain or a purchase that you just couldn’t pass by, for us all to learn from and empathise at: http://www.nomorestuff.blogspot.com
This concept is inspired by an initiative that has been running in San Francisco for over a year, called The Compact. Learn more at: http://sfcompact.blogspot.com
Please confirm your preference below, stick this somewhere prominent in your life and send to me at compactoz@hotmail.com
o Yes, I’ll take a shopping sabbatical between _____ and ______
o Yes, shopping centres are for suckers, I can do ___ months!
o Nooo, I can’t do without my regular shopping fix (but I promise to think about how I can cut back anyway :)
During February will keep in email and newsletter contact to discuss the trials and tribulations of missed closing-down sales and broken zippers (I suggest you locate your sewing kit before we start).
See you at the Trash n’ Treasure,
Jacinta, Anne and Alana
The Shopping Sabbatical team
Are YOU ready for a shopping sabbatical?
It’s January and Christmas has come and gone for another year. If you spent up big you may be suffering from the usual buyer’s remorse. Why not take a break from a consumerist lifestyle for a month? Take a shopping sabbatical to send your credit card back into the black, de-clutter your home and, hopefully, rediscover something about yourself.
Introducing “The Shopping Sabbatical”. The rules are simple:
For one month, starting 1st February 2007 (or whatever date you specify):
1. Don't buy new products of any kind (other than essentials – food, toiletries and medicines) from stores, web sites, etc.
2. Borrow, barter, or buy used.
The philosophy is not just an environmental one; it aims to go beyond recycling to combat the social and economic impacts of a disposable consumer culture, to experience a perspective on what is truly important in your life…and in your cupboards and garages.
There is no financial goal for us as organizers – the money you save is all yours, but donating it to your preferred charity would be an excellent way of documenting how much you have saved during the month. We understand that your shopping sabbatical will be challenging, and that is why we have set up an email support group. Your can post your story, missed bargain or a purchase that you just couldn’t pass by, for us all to learn from and empathise at: http://www.nomorestuff.blogspot.com
This concept is inspired by an initiative that has been running in San Francisco for over a year, called The Compact. Learn more at: http://sfcompact.blogspot.com
Please confirm your preference below, stick this somewhere prominent in your life and send to me at compactoz@hotmail.com
o Yes, I’ll take a shopping sabbatical between _____ and ______
o Yes, shopping centres are for suckers, I can do ___ months!
o Nooo, I can’t do without my regular shopping fix (but I promise to think about how I can cut back anyway :)
During February will keep in email and newsletter contact to discuss the trials and tribulations of missed closing-down sales and broken zippers (I suggest you locate your sewing kit before we start).
See you at the Trash n’ Treasure,
Jacinta, Anne and Alana
The Shopping Sabbatical team
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Invitation to take a Shopping Sabbatical
Are YOU ready for a shopping sabbatical? It’s January and Christmas has come and gone for another year. If you spent up big you may be suffering from the usual buyer’s remorse. Why not take a break from a consumerist lifestyle for a month? Take a shopping sabbatical to send your credit card back into the black, de-clutter your home and, hopefully, rediscover something about yourself.
Introducing “The Shopping Sabbatical”. The rules are simple:
For one month, starting 1st February 2007 (or whatever date you specify):
1. Don't buy new products of any kind (other than essentials – food, toiletries and medicines) from stores, web sites, etc.
2. Borrow, barter, or buy used.
The philosophy is not just an environmental one; it aims to go beyond recycling to combat the social and economic impacts of a disposable consumer culture, to experience a perspective on what is truly important in your life…and in your cupboards and garages.
There is no financial goal for us as organizers – the money you save is all yours, but donating it to your preferred charity would be an excellent way of documenting how much you have saved during the month. We understand that your shopping sabbatical will be challenging, and that is why we have set up an email support group. Your can post your story, missed bargain or a purchase that you just couldn’t pass by, for us all to learn from and empathise at: http://www.nomorestuff.blogspot.com/.
A similar concept has been working well in San Francisco for over a year. Learn more at: http://sfcompact.blogspot.com/.
Please confirm your preference below, stick this somewhere prominent in your life and send to me at compactoz@hotmail.com:
o Yes, I’ll take a shopping sabbatical between _____ and ______
o Yes, shopping centres are for suckers, I can do ___ months!
o Nooo, I can’t do without my regular shopping fix (but I promise to think about how I can cut back anyway :)
During February will keep in email and newsletter contact to discuss the trials and tribulations of missed closing-down sales and broken zippers (I suggest you locate your sewing kit before we start).
See you at the Trash n’ Treasure,
Jacinta, Anne and Alana
The Shopping Sabbatical team
Introducing “The Shopping Sabbatical”. The rules are simple:
For one month, starting 1st February 2007 (or whatever date you specify):
1. Don't buy new products of any kind (other than essentials – food, toiletries and medicines) from stores, web sites, etc.
2. Borrow, barter, or buy used.
The philosophy is not just an environmental one; it aims to go beyond recycling to combat the social and economic impacts of a disposable consumer culture, to experience a perspective on what is truly important in your life…and in your cupboards and garages.
There is no financial goal for us as organizers – the money you save is all yours, but donating it to your preferred charity would be an excellent way of documenting how much you have saved during the month. We understand that your shopping sabbatical will be challenging, and that is why we have set up an email support group. Your can post your story, missed bargain or a purchase that you just couldn’t pass by, for us all to learn from and empathise at: http://www.nomorestuff.blogspot.com/.
A similar concept has been working well in San Francisco for over a year. Learn more at: http://sfcompact.blogspot.com/.
Please confirm your preference below, stick this somewhere prominent in your life and send to me at compactoz@hotmail.com:
o Yes, I’ll take a shopping sabbatical between _____ and ______
o Yes, shopping centres are for suckers, I can do ___ months!
o Nooo, I can’t do without my regular shopping fix (but I promise to think about how I can cut back anyway :)
During February will keep in email and newsletter contact to discuss the trials and tribulations of missed closing-down sales and broken zippers (I suggest you locate your sewing kit before we start).
See you at the Trash n’ Treasure,
Jacinta, Anne and Alana
The Shopping Sabbatical team
Monday, January 29, 2007
About to begin
It has (almost) started.
Not quite February yet. Have been fending off urges to buy things I imagine I need before February starts - which is not really in the spirit of things. Wonder if I'll still want them in March?
Strikes me that a lot of shopping is spur of the moment - see it, want it, buy it. And I'm not even a shopping enthuiast ...
Not quite February yet. Have been fending off urges to buy things I imagine I need before February starts - which is not really in the spirit of things. Wonder if I'll still want them in March?
Strikes me that a lot of shopping is spur of the moment - see it, want it, buy it. And I'm not even a shopping enthuiast ...
Monday, January 22, 2007
No more stuff - take a shopping sabbatical
Tired of having your house filled with stuff you don't use? Fed up with buying things you just 'had to have' - and then finding that they lie about idle and ignored? Clothes you don't wear - books you read once - shoes that never did fit properly? Overpackaged, overpriced, underused ...
Feeling like you've been sucked into a consumerist maelstrom? Stop the madness. Stop buying stuff.
Following the lead of the San Francisco Compact, we are a group of friends in Melbourne who have decided to stop buying stuff - for a while at least. Now that doesn't mean stuff like food, or services, or medicines (or wine). It does mean stuff like books, clothes, appliances, CDs, magazines - stuff in general.
In the first instance we will be signing up for February. After that - who knows.
So - join the library. Give stuff you no longer use or want to people who might have a use for it. Or sell it on eBay. Swap things with friends. Save yourself money. And help save the planet.
Feeling like you've been sucked into a consumerist maelstrom? Stop the madness. Stop buying stuff.
Following the lead of the San Francisco Compact, we are a group of friends in Melbourne who have decided to stop buying stuff - for a while at least. Now that doesn't mean stuff like food, or services, or medicines (or wine). It does mean stuff like books, clothes, appliances, CDs, magazines - stuff in general.
In the first instance we will be signing up for February. After that - who knows.
So - join the library. Give stuff you no longer use or want to people who might have a use for it. Or sell it on eBay. Swap things with friends. Save yourself money. And help save the planet.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)