A wise woman known as Oprah, you may have heard of her, has often said,”When we know better, we do better.”
Custom Made Entertainment Unit-Craig's List $100
I’d like you to apply this to yourself and your level of green.
What I’m saying is that there is no bad level of green. Don’t be intimidated or overwhelmed by all the green speak and washing you are being bombarded with. Anything you do that contributes is worthy and you may actually be greener than you think.
Chances are, for instance, that during the past couple years you’ve tightened your budget against the recession. If you did, then chances are also very good that you’ve adopted some green habits without even realizing it.
Have you started taking your lunch to work? Eating more dinners at home? Using refillable water bottles and brewing your own coffee and filling a thermos? Start growing some of your own veggies?
Any and all of those habits are green and help to benefit the environment.
If I think about it for too long, (being born blonde, that only takes 2 minutes), frugal and green are hard to separate.
Fruit Fly Catcher-Apple Cider Vinegar with a drop of Dish Soap mixed in
Most everything around me growing up was done to save money and are also green. Meat came in small portions and food in general was not wasted. New clothes were rare. I loved wearing my brother’s hand me downs and girly stuff came via multiple older girl cousins. Old tees, socks and tighty whities were cut up and became rags for cleaning.
My mother sewed and my Barbie had a vast wardrobe and could show up anywhere and not worry that another Barbie would be wearing the same outfit. I loved the aprons she made me out of tablecloths that were becoming too tattered for the table and at one point in the seventies, she reupholstered all the living room furniture. Perhaps that is where I got the idea that if you need something, there is a way to do it yourself.
My friend Amy and her husband recently became renters of their first little house. They are doing what they can to lessen the money being spent on heating oil and so one project is to make draft dodgers. She was gifted a sewing machine by the nicest Angry Chef we know and mentioned that she was waiting for enough funds to buy some fabric.
Shelf Unit -$50 and Wing Chair -$25 ~ Both Craig's List
I mentioned that I have found great fabrics at Salvation Army Thrift stores before and even old sheets that have become reusable shopping bags, skirts and curtains.
After that conversation I realized that old mens shirts from the thrift store could also be used. The larger the better. One shirt can be had for a dollar and would make at least four-five draft dodgers.
You see where I went with this right?
I would never tell you not to be a consumer. Just re-think how you consume and if you can do it in a way that benefits your cash flow as well as the environment.
Besides, while you’re in the thrift store check out the clothes in your size– there are incredible finds there from the folks who are still over consuming and a cute skirt in like new condition for three dollars is a victory in any language.
My Follain Bread--priceless!
2009 Dawn Marie Kelly all rights reserved