So now that I’m pregnant I have made a huge effort to get as many of the baby things second hand as I can. It is working great. I have also bought almost all of my maternity clothes used.
Actually thinking of starting my own business and concentrating on reusing items when possible. That would be great.
Sep 28, 10:03AM PDT | 0 comments
shopping:
-not to buy clothes till the new year
- not to buy magazines and newspapers at all (and go to websites instead)
- not to buy books (and read what I’ve already have or go to the library/ borrow)
- not to buy dvds, watch what I have and borrow
- not to buy junk food and soda, candies and chocolate bars
- try to use less bottled water
- reuse plastic bags I have and don’t get new ones
- I do buy items but those of high quality and which are really needed
paper:
-try to print only what I really need
- not to photocopy much
- use both sides of papers
- not to use paper kitchen towels
- recycle paper
general:
- go on foot whenever is possible
- switch off the light and electric appliances
- not to leave water running unless it is needed
I also would like to educate myself in ecology to find out the real ways that can help and which are quite useless.
Sep 27, 03:12AM PDT | 2 cheers | 0 comments
... in addition to everything else I had mentioned before, I want to start having “meatless mondays” (try it for a month), so I consume less processed meat and get an added health benefit (see; www.meatlessmonday.com). This weekend I may go to the farmers market and see if I can find a good deal on fruit or veggies. And maybe, just maybe… I will back a loaf of bread (once this store bought one runs out).
Aug 20, 02:32PM PDT | 0 comments
I want to find different ways of getting the things I need/want, like farmers markets and free websites. I have started to make/take my own coffee instead of stopping at Starbucks, and I want to keep packing my lunch as much as possible. I also want to use almost all of my groceries before going out to buy more – same with beauty products (I have a ton under my sink). I have 3 reusable grocery bags – I want to fill them up when I go to the store, but not buy anything more than what can fit in the bags. Using less gas may be tricky, but maybe I could walk to the gym in my neighborhood instead of drive? This is about saving money, but it is also about not being a slave to STUFF and QUANTITY.
Aug 11, 06:15AM PDT | 0 comments
I’ve made a lot of progress on this goal – I try to buy processed food products as rarely as possible, avoid all unnecessary packaging and wasteful receipts, bike as often as possible to avoid purchasing gas – but I’m not satisfied yet. I’m still pretty addicted to used book & record stores, and while buying second-hand might be “off the grid,” and not really consumption in the same sense, I still feel like I’m too focused on buying and owning things. Having to move from my house is making me see just how focused I am on such things, since I’m having to pack away every last book and record I’ve obsessively purchased! So, what do I need to do to be satisfied with my goal? Spend more time enjoying and appreciating the things I already have (which are numerous), and less time collecting more things (I have no illusions about the fact that my record collecting habit will continue, but I would like to slow down the accumulation, and perhaps trim a bit of fat from the collection).
Jun 10, 09:48AM PDT | 1 cheer | 0 comments
The next 4 household items I want to buy used and try to clean them up instead of consuming wasteful new products.
Feb 19, 12:52PM PST | 0 comments
ajje has moved the early to bed goal up her priorities list; sleep matters!
...included:
-Using a shopping bag rather than plastic bags when I buy groceries
-Recycle plastic bags as bin liners
-Make wish lists instead of impulse buying: this works particularly well with CD’s, DVD’s, books. Also, when people ask me if I have any birthday or St Nicolas wishes, I have a list handy.
-Quality over quantity = sustainability. Case in point: I always buy leather shoes of good quality. They are more expensive, but they’re prettier, better for my feet and they last longer. So rather than buying 4 pairs of cheap shoes I buy 2 pairs of expensive shoes: I consume less, but I enjoy more.
-Repairing instead of replacing. Again, the case of shoes: I cannot count the times that I had heels or soles replaced in order to make my shoes last longer. I repair my own clothes/socks as well.
-Consume what’s in my fridge before its sell-by date. I’m actually doing quite well; have thrown away much less food than before.
Areas that could improve:
-Cook instead of eating out/ordering in. I’m a decent cook, but I am lazy… I need to focus on doing this more.
-Take pre-packaged lunches instead of eating in the cantine. Still. Can’t. Bring. Myself. To. Keep. This. Up.
-Make pots of tea rather than cup after cup. (need to stop waisting expensive teas…)
-Buy fresh veggies and fruit from the market rather than pre-packaged stuff from the supermarket. Fresh produce = tastier, and involves less packaging material. I really want to do this more (see also cooking point).
This is what I can think of for now… Surely there are many more ways to reduce consuming. Tips, anyone?
Jan 15, 06:04AM PST | 3 cheers | 0 comments
sue820 Be the change you wish to see in the world.
I didn’t participate in International Buy Nothing Day because I had to go online and order my father’s birthday present, but, otherwise, I’ve made significant progress through the steps outlined below. Since I didn’t get any additional suggestions, I’ll just stick with these for now and try to get them to become second nature.
Dec 12, 2008, 07:00AM PST | 0 comments
sue820 Be the change you wish to see in the world.
This is on the day after Thanksgiving, 11/28 this year.
See http://ecoplan.org/ibnd/ for more info.
Nov 12, 2008, 06:58AM PST | 2 cheers | 0 comments
sue820 Be the change you wish to see in the world.
I already buy most of my clothes at the thrift store or on Ebay and use a thermos cup for my on-the-go coffee. Biking more to work or the grocery really isn’t feasible in Atlanta, and I do use recycleable batteries and compact florescents where I can. I, also, pack my lunch.
Nov 09, 2008, 03:04PM PST | 1 cheer | 0 comments