Buying 2nd Hand Is A Way Of Life

In 2006, Frugal For Life wrote a Consumer group doesn't buy notion that new is better:

In San Francisco nearly 50 teachers, engineers, executives and other professionals in the San Francisco area have made a vow to not buy anything new in 2006 (except food, health and safety items and underwear). Calling themselves the Compact, they have a blog, a Yahoo group and monthly meetings to reaffirm their commitment to the rule, which is to never buy anything new"

"Compacters can get as much as they want from thrift shops, Craigslist, freecycle.org, eBay and flea markets, as long as the items are secondhand. And
when they're in doubt, they turn to their fellow Compacters for guidance."

"We had a little crisis when Matt and Sarah had to replace their shower curtain liner and we said no," said Perry, who lives in Bernal Heights. "But we put the word out and someone found one for them. It's like the Amish -- we help each other out. We raise a barn every week."

She quotes from an article originally published Here.

She concludes that it sounds like a good idea, that should be carried out in cities and towns across the country. I have to agree.

In fact I have been doing this for quite a few years. Though in January(2006), before I started my debt-free, cash only goal, I signed a six year note on a 2004 Malibu Classic. It is the newest thing I have. Would that be today, I would not have done it. Instead I would have found a car under $5,000, though it would probably have a lot more mileage on it, it would be more within my budget. Should I sell this car? If I apply Dave Ramsey's teachings, that would probably be a yes. Will I? Probably not. It's the nicest thing I have ever had.

My emergency fund is sorely lacking funds at the moment. In the end though, this same fund, will also include enough funds to cover my insurance and check payments. That means instead of $1000 emergency fund, this savings will need to have better then $3000.

But I am straying from the topic at hand. The point is I don't own anything new, and buying 2nd hand is a way of life.


Since "the compact" began January 2006 most have continued on through 2007. It seems that it got into their blood. According to a recent post on their blog Rachel writes about having gotten a new used cell phone off Graigslist and now she is in search of finding another new used phone. Folks this really can be done, it may not be as easy, but you also aren't putting yourself in a financial prison to own the newest and biggest thing that your neighbors have.