Happy New Year! I am so excited to welcome in 2008!!
As you know I am committed to not buying anything for new for the year! Many have asked me why I would to even attempt to do this. Is it because of the environment, the cost factor, or to simplify my life?? All of it! I have too much, consume too much and am really the last person who should have as much as I do. It clutters my brain, my house and the maintenance of it all is a major drain my time.
So this year, I am all about reducing while increasing my standard of living.
To date, I have not broken the rules of my compact, but I have not lived up to the spirit in which I intended to. My new year’s eve was a little brutal – no, I wasn’t drinking. It just got started on a bum note. But no more!
Since the New Year, I have gotten an oil change (29.95) but I didn’t use a coupon! I also visited my local grocery store and got a few food items, but again, because I did not plan, I did not use coupons.
I have also eaten out much more than I typically do or would even like to do… Lunch at McDonald’s while waiting for oil change (4); lunch at Matty B’s during a work day (11), breakfast at McDonald’s (running late) (3.20) and now I am really embarrassed, and a work lunch at Picosa’s (10).
While I have technically not cheated, I have far exceeded my eating out limit and also I am ashamed that I was not a more vigilant consumer.
Next on my to-do list is to downsize my housing. I currently live in a little big house, (that’s what my youngest child calls it) a three bedroom that costs a lot to rent month plus all utilities – garbage, water, sewer, electric and gas, as well as shoveling and lawn care. Holy cow, that is a lot for one person to do!
So I am downsizing! I have found a duplex that I love that is much more manageable in size, although still a three bedroom, the rent is much more affordable for me, with rent 200.00 less a month minus the expense of utilities - except electric and I don’t have to do the lawn care and snow removal as I have before! Although everything looks like it’s a go… I won’t believe it until I am actually in the door! I hope to be moved in by the beginning of March, sooner if possible.
My ex was nice enough to recover a heaping pile of retail store boxes for me, so I can begin the packing process. I am really going to sort through items seriously and I hope to purge a lot of belonging that really should belong somewhere else… in another home, with another family, a local shelter…? I am finally ready to literally ditch the extra baggage. Please wish me luck; this is going to be a hard process for me.
Best,
Freddie Rose
This blog started with my commitment to dedicate one year of living as simply, thrifty, and as green as I possible could. With the ambition of not buying anything new for a year, following in the footsetps of the original SF Compact. (it was awesome!) I am still dedicated to green. I am working on living thrifty but mighty. Buying reused, resale, vintage, retro when I can and when I need to buy new I try for local first and use coupons to get the best prices and save a few bucks.
Welcome to econogreenomics 101!
My original goal was to demonstrate that not buying any new gear for a year can be done in a way that is challenging, fun and allows me to still be (or try to be) sassy!
The main goal for the compact year was...
To live with high standards below my means, utilizing available resources and opportunities! Ya-Hoo!
Reduce - Reuse - Recycle - Restore
The main goal for the compact year was...
To live with high standards below my means, utilizing available resources and opportunities! Ya-Hoo!
Reduce - Reuse - Recycle - Restore
Although I am not "officially" doing the Compact any longer, I have adopted the traits of a "compactor." I am continuing to stay on my green path of less is more! It is always a work in progress, but the journey is a fun one, filled with lots of polyester, crinoline and coupons!
Friday, January 4, 2008
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A Budget for Green - Every Little Bit Helps
I am fully aware that to reduce my carbon footprint to the fullest, I would need to buy and shop locally, eat organically, be a vegan or vegitarian, use public transit or drive a hybrid, use alternative energy sources, and among other things minimize my consumerism to the max.
I am not perfect. Far from it. But I do want to make a difference and do my part and be the best example I can to my children and others who will inherit this earth.
Given that I do not always have the means to always eat organically, as much as I would like to, and that my budget restricts me from being the eco-warrior I would like to be to the fullest extent, I do what I can. In my dream world, I live in a tiny, LEED certified house and drive a hybrid. (one day)
It is disheartening that for many of us our carbon footprints are larger because we do not have the means to afford a more sustainable lifestyle. Although I think it is getting easier to make larger green steps on smaller budgets.
With my limited means I try to make changes and continue what I have been doing to spend less, consume less, and raise my standard of living, while hopefully minimizing my impact on the planet.
Small budget... big goal. Econogreenomics.
Every little bit helps... and small changes can lead to big results. Less really can be more!
I am not perfect. Far from it. But I do want to make a difference and do my part and be the best example I can to my children and others who will inherit this earth.
Given that I do not always have the means to always eat organically, as much as I would like to, and that my budget restricts me from being the eco-warrior I would like to be to the fullest extent, I do what I can. In my dream world, I live in a tiny, LEED certified house and drive a hybrid. (one day)
It is disheartening that for many of us our carbon footprints are larger because we do not have the means to afford a more sustainable lifestyle. Although I think it is getting easier to make larger green steps on smaller budgets.
With my limited means I try to make changes and continue what I have been doing to spend less, consume less, and raise my standard of living, while hopefully minimizing my impact on the planet.
Small budget... big goal. Econogreenomics.
Every little bit helps... and small changes can lead to big results. Less really can be more!
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