Well, the first day of Fall is here, which means the Holidays are right around the corner, so it must be time for...
The 2016 Gentlemanly Restraint Until Christmas !
For some a quarterly restraint might just be what the doctor ordered - a few months of using and enjoying what you have instead of chasing after the next horizon. For others, well we just don't need very much and enjoy participating in a fun challenge.
And since this restraint takes us right into Christmas, lets enjoy what we have, ignore those enablers and have the Charlie Browniest Christmas!
If this is your first time at a restraint, please read through the rules carefully, and feel free to ask any questions you have.
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Dates chosen for 2016:
- GRU Spring: Jan 1st - Mar 19th
- GRU Summer: Apr 1st - Jun 19th
- GRU Fall: Jul 1 - Sept 21
- GRU Christmas: Oct 1st - Dec 23rd
THE RULES:
- GRU Christmas starts at 12:00:00am (local time) on October 1st, 2016.
- GRU Christmas ends at 11:59:59pm (local time) on December 23, 2016.
- Start and end time are based on your local time zone.
- Gentlemanly Restraint is restricted to shaving items only, but if you want to you can try not purchasing whatever other AD's you may have (NIB, Brown Leaf, etc.)
- No purchases are allowed during the restraint period (except the Exceptions listed below). NONE. No purchases even if you get a gift card to WCS, eBay, Amazon, etc. If you need something you may trade for it - that's why you are part of a community that can help you out. This also means that you should have enough stuff to see out about 3 months of shaving.
- Trades will be limited to two trades a month with non-Sabbatical entrants (not counting B&B passaround boxes), unlimited with those still in the Sabbatical, as shipping does add up.
- Last but not least, bidding and winning any shaving-related items on any auctioning site will render you OUT. This includes auctions that will close after the end of the restraint. If you're still in the Restraint and you put a bid on an item and win, you're out.
There are five exceptions to the purchasing of items (see rule #5 above):
- B&B Group Buys or B&B Branded Items, because some are limited edition and all are good deals. They must be advertised on behalf of B&B to qualify. The annual Mr. Bingle exchange is also exempt.
- One named item of your choice. This is your personal exception. You must name the item before the start of Gentlemanly Restraint. It has to be relatively specific; no blanket statements qualify (e.g. "a razor or a brush" is too vague"). Use your best judgement here.
- Sue Moore Auction Items. This is a great cause and we should all try to participate in it if possible.
- For the anyone participating in the previous monthly restraint, October 1-3 is allocated for making any and all shaving-related purchases as long as you've successfully completed the September monthly restraint.
- Items you purchase as gifts for others are allowed. You are not allowed to buy solicited gifts for other members of the restraint.
There are no prizes for making or breaking the pledge, but it's a matter of keeping your word and making a commitment. If nothing else your wallet will be better off.
BE PREPARED:
Below is a list of shaving items to check before July 1st or the end of your restock window!!
- Soap, razors, blades, brushes, After Shave, After Shave Lotion, Balms, alum block, pre/post scrub, and:
- styptic pencils are a good start.
- A travel kit stocked with a disposable razor, and all accessories to travel, just in case. Keep in mind it is against TSA regulation to bring DE/SE/straight blades in your carry-on.
- Cleaning supplies to clean any traded razors during restraint. Rubbing alcohol, Scrubbing Bubbles, Barbacide etc. as they count as shaving purchases.
- Stands, stain, or anything needed to restore brushes stands etc.
- And anything else you might need for shaving.
If you are serious about making it through the quarter I highly recommend: How_to_Survive_a_Restraint
HOW TO PARTICIPATE:
Please copy the list below and add your name to the bottom of the current list with your exception. We will maintain the list of entrants throughout the restraint period and we'll use this thread to help each other out like in the other restraints. Feel free to chat or post pics of your shave of the day, of your pre and post restraint purchases, of what dropped you out of restraint if you don't make it, and please encourage each other to continue on to the end.
IF YOU FAIL THE RESTRAINT BY PURCHASING AN ITEM PLEASE LET US KNOW WHAT YOU PURCHASED HERE IN THE THREAD! On occasion we'll also ask for a check-in to ensure we haven't lost anyone. If you don't answer we will mark you DNF (did not finish) until we get an update.
THE LIST:
1. mr_eleven - No exception
2.
3.
