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
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3 comments:
This is a fantastic idea! Good luck:) I'm not sure I'm ready to tackle a whole month but will definitely give a week a go!
I've been doing a 'shopping sabbatical' since September 2006.
It hasn't been without its failure points. I've bought a few things along the way - one top for me, a couple of items for my baby son. But we've chiseled our unnecessary spending down, as a family, to about a third of what it used to be, and my wardrobe is no longer bursting at the seams.
We also have a few 'free' areas. Secondhand items are free, and can be bought whenever we want. Necessary items (e.g. food, medical items) also have the free card. But we had to re-assess what was necessay and what wasn't, and when we did were amazed at the amount of things we considered 'necessary' that were actually luxuries.
So yeah, shopping sabbatical for a month. I'd sign up, but I guess I've already been on it for half a year!
LOVE it!!!! read an article about this by maggie alderson in the Goodweekend. Inspiring. was trying this myself as a new years resolution but as complete shopping addict was finding it so hard. My lack of will power was astonishing and quite alarming when i wrote down all the things I HAD to have. this has given me new focus. YAY!!
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