2011 Gear Purchase Moratorium?

[Evan McCarthy]

I'm not in financial difficulty but I've pretty much purchased willy nilly for the past two years, replacing items big and small at will. I'm considering a moratorium on gear purchases (all gear small, big, and everything in between) to make this fun. If something gets legitimately broken, lost, or corrupted by wizard gnomes, I'll have to be creative about what happens on the trail. (Background: I backpack one or two weekends a month in the mid-Atlantic area, with possible New England and Pacific Northwest trips, and intend to keep the pace up.) Is this worth it? Could I sustain this moratorium the length of 2011? Will it be fun? Let's find out.

[EndoftheTrail]

Well, we'll see about that!

Kidding… Yeah, I think we sometimes get carried away with our gear purchases. But so far this year, I've been pretty good. My only purchases were a tent guyline kit and some tent stakes.

Best of luck with your 'gear moratorium'!

[Evan McCarthy]

Yesterday I caught myself looking at new dry sacks (cuben, of course, for no particular reason), different styles of stoves, and then getting all excited about the new MLD Cricket. None of this is bad, but I have pretty much everything I need. It'll be better to look at my gear for the year and realize I need to make do with what I have.

I realize this is pretty stupid. But, eh, whatever.

[jim draucker]

No it is not stupid. I have been doing a similar mental exercise. Trying to pick one kit to use for the this year.Leave all the other gear stored and forget about it. Just change quilt/bag clothing and sleep pad for winter. Almost got it dialed in. Starting to think I have gear ADD :0
Will see what happens.

Jim

[Jeremy W]

My wife would certainly approve of your plan. Of course, I'm not going to tell her about it because it might give her an ugly idea!

[Nick Gatel]

"My wife would certainly approve of your plan. Of course, I'm not going to tell her about it because it might give her an ugly idea!"

It is about the re-distribution of family income. Does the money go to the Imelda Maros shoe collection/slightly used appliance collection OR the BP gear shelf. Prioritize!

[Evan McCarthy]

I announced my spur of the moment moratorium to my wife while she was in the shower and got instant points for the unexpected and unanticipated pledge. But then I realized, what I am going to do with "points" if I'm not planning on buying something else?

[BlackHatGuy]

"But then I realized, what I am going to do with "points" if I'm not planning on buying something else?"

You obviously haven't been married very long…….

[seth t]

oo

[Rick Dreher]

Keep those points salted away, you just never know.

In the meantime, a handy mantra: Must not watch sales; must not watch sales; must not watch sales…"

That is my typical weak spot.

Much luck!

Rick

[John Vance]

I must admit that it kills me to pass on a good deal. I seem to go through a "binge/ purge" cycle and often fall in love with equipment on paper and then either change my mind or find it didn't quite meet my needs or expectations. Try as I may, I can't seem to get the "just one of each item" that works all year long.

I have settled on pretty much two of everything – two packs, two shelters, two quilts, etc. to get me through the 4 seasons.

[jim draucker]

Wife got points in the shower? :)

[Chris Morgan]

You could ask Ken Salazar to help you out.

[Eric Blumensaadt]

Evan, what are you, "Un-American"?? You were born in the U S of A and BORN TO CONSUME. C'mon guy, do you mean to say you're not even going to get ONE little cottage industry item?? What about their famlilies? Are you going to deny their children a birthday party at Chuckie Cheeze?

Evan m'boy, at least buy some "dual purpose" clothes. Get some Rail Riders on the pretext that they will make great "casual slacks".

Look, if you stop buying backpacking gear you'll get out of practice in rationalizing. That could have dire consequences in the future when you DO go back to gear buying. You'll find that 7th stove that you really "need" and won't be able to rationalize buying it. It will become one more missed purchase that will retard our nation's economic recovery.

BE A PATRIOT. BUY, BUY, BUY!

Disclosure:
Since reading this a few days ago I also went on a gear buying moratorium… until yesterday when I ordered a CALDERA CONE Sidewinder stove and pot with the Inferno wood burning kit.

AT LAST, I've conquored my will power!

[Bobby Pack]

Sigh, our economy needs the business. Since Evan is out I'll have to increase my spending to help save all those small business jobs.

[EndoftheTrail]

That's very noble of you, Robert. America thanks you. Oh, and China too. :)

[Franco Darioli]

Good idea Evan.
I do that several times a year.
Works for me.
Franco

[Sarah Kirkconnell]

Being that I am a good American I have helped support the economy!

I bought this not long ago:

And I bought a new bike trailer last weekend. It is my American duty to keep Costco in business afterall!

[Tony Wong]

Sarah,

So where did you buy the child at? :)

-Tony

[Sarah Kirkconnell]

The husband said he was really expensive. One of a kind! The hospital said no refunds.

;-)

[D G]

I was doing pretty good until the Golite Web sale!

[Mark Ryan]

Couldn't do it. Especially when Golite as 70% off. A Jam for $50!!!!!! Can't beat that.

GOOLLLLIIITTEEE!! (while angrily shaking fist into the air)

[Joe Clement]

I've been on a moratorium. I think. Well, for major purchases anyway, did have to get some Reed pants from GoLite.

[George Matthews]

An alternative to a moratorium is to BUDGET using a weekly, monthly, or any other time period you want, eg by paydays. For example, if every other Friday is payday then you budget maybe $20 for gear.

If you don't spend it then you'll have $40 on the next payday for gear, etc. The longer you wait, the more you have in your gear budget. Mosts gear goes on sale now and then. Wait. Don't be impulsive.

Don't get suckered into buying gear you don't need with a credit card when you won't be able to pay off the balance when your statement arrives. Unless of course you want to enrich the credit card lenders. Your choice.

The big ones like GoLite and the small cottage industry will survive without you buying things you don't need. From what I've seen on the trails, there are plenty of backpackers that have not made their first light gear purchases yet. Let the marketing get those that really need the gear buy it. Not those that already have what they need. Again, your choice. Your hard earned dollars.

[John Castro-Rappl]

An alternative that'd be worth considering: instead of purchasing new gear, limit yourself to MYOG projects. Overall it'd be cheaper, more gratifying, and skill-building, as well as giving you something to do other than watching the Gear Swap!

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