Ok, I am just teasing... Happy Valentine's Day! My valentine's are all under the age of twelve and under six feet tall. I made home made valentine's and bought some sweets for my sweets. :)
As I delve further into the world of reusing and reducing and Calming down, calm-pact.... I decided it was in my best interest to meet with a financial consultant. I did. It made me want to throw up. It was like standing naked in front of stranger with all of the yuck exposed. Harsh. As anyone who has gone through a divorce knows, the financial aftermath is a mess. I do not know of any exceptions to this regardless of income level or level of acrimony. So.. I am in a mess and need help, so I took the first step towards recovery.
I found myself in the office a beautiful young women, mid-twenties, newly-wed, who is going to guide me through the yuck and get me to the light. I have to admit, after getting through the worst of it, it was very liberating. I was told I am making the changes that would have been suggested to me, downsizing - my housing costs were too much, eliminating or reducing childcare, check, hence the self-employment, and of course she was very happy to hear I was in the Compact. I think I was the first client to be.
I am on my way to repairing the financial pitfalls that have accompanied the dissolution of my marriage. I know it is going to be a rough and rocky road and not like the ice cream, but I can't wait to get to the other side and feel the relief and getting my finances back in order with the rest of my life!
My first assignment is to track every penny I spend for a month. I have been doing this for almost two weeks. What has become clear to me is that I spend an awful lot on caffeine. Coffee and Diet Coke... a lot of coffee and diet.
Baby stepping, baby stepping..... Calm-pact
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!
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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!
5 comments:
I am confident that, whether by your strong commitment or simply neccessity, you will make it through to the other side.
I love the new blog! So, on this valentine's day, I'm wishing you love and calm in the coming year. I'm doing compact-lite (also in a financial mess -- only excuse, tuning out completely for a year and realizing I was in trouble!) and keep trying to remind myself: who needs shopping when I could be financially solvent instead? Of course, shopping is immediate gratification and financial solvency is months if not years away...
Hey...I thought you were supposed to be working!!!!
I love the blog and you are inspiring me to get going on mine...except our computer completely crashed on us. What's up with that?
For 2008 so far...
1 totaled minivan
1 penny that destroyed the electrical panel in DH's truck
1 crashed computer
2 I need two root canals
1 pair of glasses - i'm getting old
hmmm....not looking good! I love your blog. Please keep typing - but make sure you get your work done first! Ha ha!
Compact away!
Thanks for the comments! And I am working... I am multitasking.
as a former theology instructor
i feel compelled to suggest
that your efforts
might do well to align themselvs
with the goals and values of lent
do "my" intentions correlate with
an ideal for the world?
something i want to bring about in the world?
and if so
do these correspond to what i discern and understand from
the viewpoint of faith?
complete within the various traditions of religious practice is the idea of renewing the earth
there will be a new heaven and
a new earth
it's easier to get a sense of the way nature economises naturally
when living in the country
the city makes it somewhat harder
but i admire the effort
have you ever read the writings of
wendell berry?
so far your work merits a b+
br john
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