This year our family has decided to scale back Christmas giving. It has made us all a little more creative and has the added benefit of being better for the environment. Unchecked consumerism is bad for the earth. The manufacture, transit, and eventual disposal of all the products we buy this season will have a big impact.
When our family discussed spending caps for all gifts it made me wary at first because "cheap stuff" usually has a larger impact on the environment due to cost cutting on the production end. I know I'm generalizing, but stay with me. Mostly these items are produced halfway around the world. They also are not held to strict environmental standards in the developing countries where they are produced. Working conditions are also a factor.
Some ideas I've come up with so far:
1. "green clean" basket. I filled a bucket with vinegar, baking soda, lemons and other natural cleaning products along with a sheet of instructions and recipes.
2. Goodies from Goodwill. While I was at Goodwill the other day, I spotted some cookware that matches my MIL's incredibly hard to find set. I went to her house to walk her dog midday, so I checked to see if she needed anything. I went back to Goodwill later that day and purchased her gift.
3. Getting crafty. I re-purposed a pair of my daughter's old jeans into a purse for her. I had scraps of ribbon so I made it really tacky (just the way she likes it!).
4. Paperless reference book. For my veggie sister, I purchased a flash drive and filled it with lots of delectable vegetarian recipes. There is still some unused space for her to add her favorites as well. This can easily done for a number of subjects.
What are some of the ways you plan to green your Christmas?
Showing posts with label thrifty. Show all posts
Showing posts with label thrifty. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Ready to Freeze my Buns
A little late to the game, I took up the Freeze Yer Buns challenge from Crunchy Chicken. My goal is to keep the thermostat set to 50 degrees during the day when were not here and 60ish after we get home. Compared to 50 that'll be down right toasty. After everyone is in bed I'll back it down again. It should motivate us to get ready in a hurry in the mornings.
In preparation for the cold weather, we have sealed all our windows with plastic sheeting (that I plan to reuse), and had the electric company come out and do a ***free*** evaluation of how we can be more efficient. I also purchased some fingerless gloves (so I can keep typing) and found some great throw blankets at Goodwill. When I was a kid, my dad had these stones he would set on the wood stove until just before bed. He wrapped them in old towels and placed them at the foot of our beds and they kept us warm all night. I don't have a wood stove so I made some rice pouches out of scrap flannel from my fabric bin to warm the beds. Anymore tips would be appreciated.
Remember, if you want to take the challenge it's not too late! Save money and reduce the amount of CO2 added to the atmosphere.
In preparation for the cold weather, we have sealed all our windows with plastic sheeting (that I plan to reuse), and had the electric company come out and do a ***free*** evaluation of how we can be more efficient. I also purchased some fingerless gloves (so I can keep typing) and found some great throw blankets at Goodwill. When I was a kid, my dad had these stones he would set on the wood stove until just before bed. He wrapped them in old towels and placed them at the foot of our beds and they kept us warm all night. I don't have a wood stove so I made some rice pouches out of scrap flannel from my fabric bin to warm the beds. Anymore tips would be appreciated.
Remember, if you want to take the challenge it's not too late! Save money and reduce the amount of CO2 added to the atmosphere.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
The goods on Goodwill
I love the prefix re. I have mentioned how I have made recycling a spiritual practice. I also love to reuse, re-purpose, redistribute (either by giving away ill fitting clothes or shopping at thrift stores).
I like teaching my children to have as little impact as possible. When they start clamoring for some new "it" thing that they have seen their friends with, I use the opportunity to discuss where it came from and where it will end up. The question that comes first is "How do you think it was made; what resources were used in order to produce it?" After discussing that we move on to how much use we can get out of it. "Will it break easily? How long do you think it will hold your interest?" Sometimes these questions lead to them realizing that they don't really want it. Sometimes they still have to have it. At that point we try to figure out if we can get it second hand. The idea that they could "rescue" such an awesome toy from the landfill is really exciting to younger kids. My oldest is 9 and I have different approach with him. He is really into being thrifty. He knows that getting the same item for less is a good thing.
My oldest loves to go to Goodwill with me. Its a giant scavenger hunt. It takes time and attention, so I usually only bring one child each trip.
We have several Goodwill stores in our area and each of them are resources for different types of items. Need kids stuff? The one in the neighborhood full of kids is the place to go. Need a nice dress for a party or dinner? The one near the ritzy neighborhood is the place to look. I know it sounds morbid, but if you need dishes or home goods, a Goodwill near an aging neighborhood will have what you need. Sometimes when loved ones pass it is easier to take what no family members have a desire to keep to Goodwill. If you have several in your area, get a sitter for the day (pull a favor, it will be worth it) and scope them all out. DO NOT BRING MONEY OR CREDIT/DEBIT CARDS on this trip. It is recon only.
Before going to a thrift store, write down what it is you need. Notice I didn't say want. The only way to break the cycle of mindless consumption is to figure out the need vs want. I keep a running list at my desk of things that need replacing or could improve our lives significantly. I placed a crockpot on my need list because many days I do not have time to fix a nutritious meal and my family was consuming way to many pita pizzas. I purchased a crockpot with a removable crock that I had seen at a discount store for close to $30 for $5!
When planning a trip to Goodwill I pull out my list and figure out what is the most pressing need. Sometimes we need a new set of snowpants, or I need a sweater because the one I pulled out to wear this morning needs to be repurposed into socks and a muff for my daughter. Based on the category those pressing needs fall into I figure out which store to go to. The list is then finalized and budgeted for. I take only enough money to cover what I need to purchase that trip. Anything else I see that I could use gets jotted down on a piece of paper to mull over when I get home. Many times I have come close to walking out of the store with a complete set of Christmas china that was only $7 that even included the matching butter dish! I dont need china...I have three kids! It was a great bargain, just not for me. Impulse buying is a risk if you don't prepare for the trip.
Yes, Goodwill shopping is good for the budget, but it is good for our earth too. Buying something that is already produced/packaged/shipped/purchased/profited from keeps one less from being produced/packaged/shipped/purchased/profited from just for you. Supply and demand can help save our planet. If we don't demand as much of it, the companies are not going to use the resources to supply as much of it.
I like teaching my children to have as little impact as possible. When they start clamoring for some new "it" thing that they have seen their friends with, I use the opportunity to discuss where it came from and where it will end up. The question that comes first is "How do you think it was made; what resources were used in order to produce it?" After discussing that we move on to how much use we can get out of it. "Will it break easily? How long do you think it will hold your interest?" Sometimes these questions lead to them realizing that they don't really want it. Sometimes they still have to have it. At that point we try to figure out if we can get it second hand. The idea that they could "rescue" such an awesome toy from the landfill is really exciting to younger kids. My oldest is 9 and I have different approach with him. He is really into being thrifty. He knows that getting the same item for less is a good thing.
My oldest loves to go to Goodwill with me. Its a giant scavenger hunt. It takes time and attention, so I usually only bring one child each trip.
We have several Goodwill stores in our area and each of them are resources for different types of items. Need kids stuff? The one in the neighborhood full of kids is the place to go. Need a nice dress for a party or dinner? The one near the ritzy neighborhood is the place to look. I know it sounds morbid, but if you need dishes or home goods, a Goodwill near an aging neighborhood will have what you need. Sometimes when loved ones pass it is easier to take what no family members have a desire to keep to Goodwill. If you have several in your area, get a sitter for the day (pull a favor, it will be worth it) and scope them all out. DO NOT BRING MONEY OR CREDIT/DEBIT CARDS on this trip. It is recon only.
Before going to a thrift store, write down what it is you need. Notice I didn't say want. The only way to break the cycle of mindless consumption is to figure out the need vs want. I keep a running list at my desk of things that need replacing or could improve our lives significantly. I placed a crockpot on my need list because many days I do not have time to fix a nutritious meal and my family was consuming way to many pita pizzas. I purchased a crockpot with a removable crock that I had seen at a discount store for close to $30 for $5!
When planning a trip to Goodwill I pull out my list and figure out what is the most pressing need. Sometimes we need a new set of snowpants, or I need a sweater because the one I pulled out to wear this morning needs to be repurposed into socks and a muff for my daughter. Based on the category those pressing needs fall into I figure out which store to go to. The list is then finalized and budgeted for. I take only enough money to cover what I need to purchase that trip. Anything else I see that I could use gets jotted down on a piece of paper to mull over when I get home. Many times I have come close to walking out of the store with a complete set of Christmas china that was only $7 that even included the matching butter dish! I dont need china...I have three kids! It was a great bargain, just not for me. Impulse buying is a risk if you don't prepare for the trip.
Yes, Goodwill shopping is good for the budget, but it is good for our earth too. Buying something that is already produced/packaged/shipped/purchased/profited from keeps one less from being produced/packaged/shipped/purchased/profited from just for you. Supply and demand can help save our planet. If we don't demand as much of it, the companies are not going to use the resources to supply as much of it.
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