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!




Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Repair & Reuse!

Although the majority of my personal purchases are used, vintage, hand me downs, or refurbished gems... I do buy new from time to time. When I buy new, for myself, I tend to buy high quality, often pricey items. But to be fair, I will wait and buy out of season to get the best sale price. I love a good sale!

I prefer to buy high quality instead of buying lesser quality, which leads to buyer more and more often because the quality of a product is so poor. So I'll take my more expensive, better made shoes and purses that will not have to be replaced and that I can and do use for years. Case in point, I just brought in my Seatbelt bag to my local show repair to have the zipper mended. Seven bucks. Not bad. A quick repair and I'll keep using the purse I have had since 2004! Totally worth it to me. I also brought in a pair of boots to have the soles repaired. $14. It makes me happy. I can utilize my local small business and repair and reuse what I have.

Shoe Repair! A dying art, by for the reusing, repairing bunch, a much revered resource and talent.

I know this probably wouldn't work for everyone, but I find the more I keep this less is more mind set on the forefront the happy I am.


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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!