A Disposable World

Even if we make an effort to buy Green, we need to also admit that we were raised to rely on conveniences!  We have a culture where EVERYTHING has become disposable.  And even though we purchase things in recyclable containers and separate our trash correctly, that’s still a ton of waste and energy needed to turn it in to something else!

So how do we successfully break the habit of convenience for convenience sake  — especially when even the greenest of green cleaning supply companies make everything disposable?!  How do you learn that just because something may be cheap, it doesn’t mean that it’s a deal? The answers: Opt for quality not quantity.  Use what you’ve got, and when it can’t be used any more, turn it into something else or give it to someone who can…

The Impact of Credit Cards

Not only can credit cards lead to careless spending and crippling debt, they allow us to consume more, and therefore waste more.  They have literally helped us each to personally make a bigger carbon foot print on the world!

The use of credit cards was not wide spread until the early 1960’s. Even in the 70s and 80s I recall my parents having a MasterCHARGE – not MasterCARD – ie – they could charge but it had to be paid off every month, so no revolving interest and extended payments. But before the dawn of the credit movement, people spent money on only what they could afford in the moment- CASH ruled-thus reducing spending, consumption and WASTE ! Makes sense, right?

Grandma Lena’s Fab, Fru & Green Tips To Live By

• Consume less, spend less and value you what you have!
• When you have the option, buy quality not quantity and take care of it so it lasts!
• Don’t just recycle, reuse & reinvent! (ok, she had probably never heard of recycling — but she was great at reusing and reinventing!)
  
• Buy seasonal produce and fresh meats from local farmers as often as possible!
• Give yourself a day to ‘Think About It’ before making a big purchase (Grandma’s interpretation of ‘Haste Makes Waste’ — You’ll be surprised at how much you realize you DON”T need!)
  

Among other things, Earth Day has made me think about how far we have come in our desire to protect the planet … and how if we go back in time we may realize generations before us already had many of the answers- even if they didn’t know it!  With the new advances being made every day in green technologies, and the old-fashioned advice of Grandma Lena, I hope to do my part to live a greener life – and of course save both money and the planet in the process!

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