Shopping? They just don't buy it

Interesting idea; this articcle explores an anti-conusumerist action in the USA "six months into a one-year pledge not to buy anything new - underwear and a few other essentials aside. Kesel and 10 of her friends bought no new items in 2006, and many have renewed the 'compact', as their pledge is called, this year."Apparently, it's growing and people are finding it easier than they thought they might.
One of the founding figures responding with disgust to the "show 'em you're not afraid: shop" response to the fall of the Twin Towers;

She decided to try 'an experiment' not to shop. 'One of the long-term effects was that it showed me that I could happily live on a lot less, and that has made me better able to save and to plan my financial future without thinking "to hell with it, I'll never retire".' She also cleared her $8,000 Visa bill.

Here's the basics info.

The rule
· Don't buy new products - borrow or buy used. The exceptions are food, drink, medicine (no elective treatments like Viagra or Botox), necessary cleaning products but not equipment (a new Dyson, for example, is not allowed), socks and underwear (utilitarian only) and pyjamas for the children.
To find out more about the compact http://sfcompact.blogspot.com/

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