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.

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'!

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.

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

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!

"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!

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?

"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.......

oo

Edited by diggity on 04/06/2012 20:37:56 MDT.

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

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.

Wife got points in the shower? :)

You could ask Ken Salazar to help you out.

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!

Edited by Danepacker on 03/10/2011 14:21:12 MST.

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.

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

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

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!

Sarah,

So where did you buy the child at? :)

-Tony

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

;-)