The only thing about the compact is that there are simply lots of things that you can not buy used or borrow. Dishwasher detergent? Deodorant? Underwear?(!!!) Also, what would a compacter’s policy be on things like wine, coffee, tea, tobacco, etc? These are clearly cash-crop items and are luxuries. And you can’t get them local-grown, usually. And you can’t exactly make them at home, at least in toto.
Well, for starters, you don’t need to buy your food, heath items, or safety items used. And a lot of Compactors have a clause in their personal compact that they can buy necessities new if searching for a reasonable used alternative proves fruitless. I’m thinking items such as work shoes for Rob, and other similar items that can be difficult to find a quality item used. I also have been training for a half marathon and so I will be needing to buy new shoes (which are ridiculously expensive) but necessary to avoid injury.
A lot of Compactors also state that they can buy something in order to replace something broken or worn out they already have. For example you accidentally let your new puppy eat your mouse cord, you can probably just go replace your mouse. Though it might be a good idea to check if someone you know has an extra first.
Now, along the line of “luxury items” like coffee and wine. My personal opinion is that they are always OK within reason. And there are wise choices that might not be local but are still economically and environmentally sound. For example the fair traded coffees from Starbucks or Trader Joes. Then to boost their “Compactablity” many of those items can be used again. Coffee grounds can be added to your garden as fertilizer. Tea bags that have already been used can be used again to make a cleaning solution for hardwood floors.
And many places have a local winery. I’m actually planning on trying out some Ohio-made wines. I don’t think that the goal of Compacting is living a barebones lifestyle as much as reducing frivolous consumerism, which leads me to:
Another thought: is the accumulation of all sorts of goods equally bad? Or can there even be some things that lean toward being inherently good to accumulate? I’m thinking of my favorite thing to buy, buy, buy and for which I love to shop, shop, shop: books. It seems to me that building a good library, even if one’s motivation has some major elements of consumerism blatantly attached, is fundamentally different morally than building, let’s say, a collection of luxury automobiles or even, dare I say it, a CD collection. Now, of course, WHICH books you add to your library makes a big difference too, as does WHICH CDs you add to your collection. What I’m suggesting is that the building of a library, if it contains “the classics” and, for example, time-tested works of theology or biblical commentary, etc., is not entirely consumeristic in nature, because you’re acknowledging this thing called tradition, which can then be passed on to a new generation. But chances are the next generation isn’t going to give a rip about the CDs we add to our collections. I don’t even give a rip about 98% of my CDs.
Well, before I get all philosophical at you, here are some practical thoughts. Buying books from Paperback Swap, used from Amazon or Half.com is a way to add books to your collection a la the Compact. Then there are “less consumerist” ways to get music too, like iTunes or eMusic which require no concrete consumption. No paper, no metal, no waste; just a digital file on your hard drive.
And now comes the old brain. I don’t necessarily consider accumulating quality books as consuming, since thy are the passing down of the great thoughts of mankind. When it is stated that way it can be conserving as much as it is consuming. The same can be said for good music. I think we’d all be sad if all of us who have collections of Bach suddenly up and did away with them leaving no trace behind. And I’d be pretty sad if I lost my copies of The Bends or Weezer’s blue album even though I never listen to them anymore.
Luxury cars, well. I don’t want to own a car at all. But because of the transportation infrastructure available to me it is the only reasonable option when I have kids. And the cars that we buy will be bought in the same method as Kerner mentioned in the comments to the last post.
So, yes. I think that you’re right. There are definitely things that are “good” to accumulate for the sake of posterity, as long as it’s not in the spirit of just having MORE MORE MORE. There is an element of self control required. And that’s why some Compactors have the rule that they wait 2 weeks before they buy anything. That way they get over the initial “I want it” high, and can make a more reasonable decision about whether or not they will really enjoy and use anything that they purchase that is a non-essential.
And lastly, I’m glad you understand my need to go all out, Andy. It makes me feel less like a, uh, poser. 
Today Olivia asked me, “Can we stay at this park forever? Let’s live here for our house.”
But I didn’t just finish, I finished in 2 hours, 7 minutes and 43 seconds
But that’s that. It’s done and I did great. I feel great. My family is already encouraging me to run in the Akron Marathon at the end of the summer…
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