Tip of the Day: Go frugal, go green
Use it up, wear it out, make it do and do without!
Going green is not about buying green products. Sure, instead of buying non-green products, it's an improvement. But really, going green and going frugal are almost the same thing. On the individual level, much of our problem is that we are using vastly more resources than our grandparents or even our parents did. Our houses are bigger, our cars are bigger, we are buying more toys and clothes and changing our house furnishings more often than ever.
And while we do all of this, we are also spending a lot of green, causing us stress.
While we can all dream about living a "simple" life, that is easier said than done. Most of us can't quit our jobs and go move off the grid and that is ok. Start by taking action right inside your own life. If you're not motivated only by the environmental crisis, then do it for your wallet. So many of the actions that are being promoted as green, are also the simple ones that save you money, that people have been doing forever. Actions like:
For more inspiration, check out the Story of Stuff and some frugal living blogs like Frugal for Life, Stretcher and Frugal Village.
While you can do lots of fancy calculations on how many pounds of carbon that didn't get released because of your actions, you might even find that you are more motivated by watching your bills grow lighter and your wallet grow heavier.
Going green is not about buying green products. Sure, instead of buying non-green products, it's an improvement. But really, going green and going frugal are almost the same thing. On the individual level, much of our problem is that we are using vastly more resources than our grandparents or even our parents did. Our houses are bigger, our cars are bigger, we are buying more toys and clothes and changing our house furnishings more often than ever.
And while we do all of this, we are also spending a lot of green, causing us stress.
While we can all dream about living a "simple" life, that is easier said than done. Most of us can't quit our jobs and go move off the grid and that is ok. Start by taking action right inside your own life. If you're not motivated only by the environmental crisis, then do it for your wallet. So many of the actions that are being promoted as green, are also the simple ones that save you money, that people have been doing forever. Actions like:
- Turning down your thermostat, putting on a sweater.
- Being cautious with your grocery bill, cooking from scratch more often.
- Not buying prepared foods.
- Reducing your meat consumption.
- Not buying more house than you need.
- Searching out the secondhand shops in your area, especially for children's clothes and toys.
- Getting a library card.
- Planning out your holiday spending carefully and sticking to the budget.
- Being wise with appliance usage.
- Unplugging those electricity vampires.
- Buying quality items that will last.
For more inspiration, check out the Story of Stuff and some frugal living blogs like Frugal for Life, Stretcher and Frugal Village.
While you can do lots of fancy calculations on how many pounds of carbon that didn't get released because of your actions, you might even find that you are more motivated by watching your bills grow lighter and your wallet grow heavier.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
12-07-2007 @ 11:19PM
PennyFoolish PoundWise said...
I always thought that there must be something
wrong with me for wanting to be frugal. It was
more due to my upbringing but over the years I
wised up and convinced myself to be frugal.
I am glad to see to see these words in print.
Thanks.
PFPW
Reply
12-10-2007 @ 9:55PM
Sara Noel said...
Thank you for mentioning FV. :)
Reply
1-05-2008 @ 7:37AM
Greenguy said...
A good start is the compact fluorescent bulbs for your house. In the South we spend most of the year trying to get rid of inside heat. The CFBs burn only 25% of the electricity of an incandescent and reduce the heat that has to be removed by 75%. Think this isn't so. Just unscrew a hot light bulb then unscrew a compact fluorescent.
Reply
6-29-2008 @ 2:57PM
DJ said...
The reference to plastics being made into lumber and not being useful is totally false! Approximately ten years ago I purchsed (at a highter price than wood) 100% plastic lumber for a deck floor. The plastic lumber is re-cycled plastic bottles and the color (green, clear, etc.) is visible in the center of the material. Grey coloring has been added and that is the final color of the lumber. As it's been in use for the past (at least 10) years there is no -- absolutely no wear and tear and it's totally splinter-proof and completely smooth and can be power washed many, many times to get it sparkling clean! I say a HUGE HOORAY for my deck floor and let's get busy and make lots more of the same stuff!!!
Reply
7-23-2008 @ 9:42PM
Katherine Polk said...
Make your re-useable shopping totes out of old t-shirts... Cut out the arms and lower the neck for handles. Sew across the bottom. I get 6 cents a bag for using my own at WinCo.
Reply