This week's list covers 13 things I wish I were doing, either for the environment or for my finances (or both!):
1. Using cloth tote bags when shopping. Okay, we are very careful about this when grocery shopping; it helps that the co-op we go to gives a small discount for bringing your own bags. And, I have started rejecting bags at the used book store. Unfortunately, I'm still accepting bags everywhere else, and forgetting until I leave.
2. Composting. I remember having a composting bin at the back of the garden while growing up. As I've mentioned before on this blog, though, I don't know where we could possibly put a bin in the apartment, or what we'd do with the compost when it was ready. Sigh.
3. Buying less plastic. We buy club soda in large bottles, to mix in with juice. We definitely need to find a way around it.
4. Using less plastic. I've had my eye on these reusable produce bags, but have yet to actually get some and start using them. Can we put this one under "working on it"?
5. Gardening. Yep, see #2. I grew up with a garden and, as much as I hated weeding, it would be nice to grow a few things on our own here.
6. Eating out less. We've done fairly well on cutting back so far, but we could always do better. I'd like to start making meals ahead of time and freezing them, because most of our take-away is ordered when we're both feeling tired/hungry.
7. Going out to fewer movies. As a member of the Blockbuster online rental, we get a fair number of good DVDs per month, which is nice. What isn't nice is the $7-$8 price tag for going out to see recent releases. Guess we'd better stick to the matinee showings, at least.
8. Drinking more water. Good for me, good for my pocketbook, good for the environment. Time to get over my hatred of plain tap water, it seems.
9. Fishing. It's fun, and brings in free food. On the other hand, we're very strongly encouraged not to eat anything that comes from the nearest body of water. Ew.
10. Baking more. Self-evident, I think. Mmm, this has me thinking of those cinnamon rolls I made a while back.
11. Line-drying my laundry. I'm very tempted to get one of those drying racks and just stand it next to the open window.
12. Swimming. Yes, swimming! The complex has a pool (free entertainment/free exercise), but I've yet to use it. Anyone have any tips for overcoming the "I look so bad in my bathing suit I can't stand it" syndrome?
13. Walking more. With gas prices what they are, should I really be driving the short distance to the corner store? Not really.
You tell me: what are your greatest green/frugal desires? Accomplishments?
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Thursday Thirteen: I Wish I Were
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11 are making conversation:
I never thought of 9! Great list.
Great list! I am all for the cloth totes. I use them everywhere. :)
Great list, my 33rd TT is up at 13 Muslim Greeting Cards - I noted the paucity of Islamic Greeting Cards at my local stationery store and so as a public service to Muslims in America, I offer the following 13 Shariah-Compliant Greeting Cards...
Great list....I should be doing these things too!
sobeit
http://sobeit89.squarespace.com
Thanks for all the great comments so far, sandy, shannon, bernieg1, and sobeit! Those of these that I can do, I hope to start doing soon.
The idea is that they'll eventually wind up on my "living green" list off to the right there.
And now, I'm off to visit each of your blogs :D
I was in a checkout line today behind a woman using those cloth bags - she took twice as long as everyone else. People were furious with her. It dawned on me that I save money by using the store bags for trash bags.
SJR
The Pink Flamingo
we can all do better can't weI am trying we use cloth napkins and recycle and get lots of exercise and water
I can't remember to bring the cloth bags to the store with me. I use the plastic ones for small trashcan liners, too. And to take things here and there. They're pretty handy.
SJ Reidhead: I wonder why she was so slow? [or maybe everyone else was just in a hurry :)?] Our shopping for two weeks fits nicely inside three bags, so that's generally taken care of quickly. We usually shop when there aren't too many people at the store, but are transactions aren't generally overly long, either. And I throw coupons and writing a check into the mix.
We do use the small bags for trash, but we still have more than we know what to do with, so I'm happy not to be bringing in any more.
*OUR transactions, sorry.
Carol: Our grocery store has big signs out front, so it's hard to forget the bags! I find them easier to carry up the stairs to our apartment, too, since they have wider handles. We do need to start keeping one in the car for shopping trips, though. . .
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