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

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!




Sunday, April 6, 2008

the phone

ok, i think i have to give in and get a new phone. it has gotten to the point of being extremely problematic. new phone...? anti-compact...?

my other compact issue, when my family (my mom) hears that i am going without or not purchasing an item, she really wants to get it for me. bless her heart, she means well, but i am filled with guilt....

i have also run into some folks recently who really cannot get what i am doing. i recently told a woman that i was in the compact and not buying anything new for a year. it turned into a comedy routine... i am not buying anything new for a year. what? i am not buying anything new for a year. what? i don't understand. i am not buying anything new for a year. what? i have never heard of that. and so on. thank goodness i have a sense of humor.

today the twin cities compactors are getting together. can't wait to meet everyone.

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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!