Post Your Ideas Thoughts and Tips about Living or Doing Biz in the Green-Cycle Style

[Gr8dayze]

People seem to be making small and large changes in the way they are living in rapid form these days. The economy certainly might be to blame. It is causing this ripple to grow to what is sure to be a tsunami of new perceptions. Front and center in many minds is a new awareness about our lives as consumers, and our impact or footprint on the earth. If it's going to take a blow with a shovel to the head to get us to make the changes that are needed for positive and sustainable living, the economy has now, with shovel in hand, given us this opportunity. So even as it is hard to watch some of the suffering that we all know is going on now for many people, I will gladly remove my helmet and let that shovel take its best swing. Of course I will try to duck, but I know that I'm tough and can take it if I'm not fast enough. From what I've seen in history books and in others every single day, I know that we are a resilient lot, and we will get through. Adversity seems to make us as a people step up to any challenge and most times we come out better at the other end. So there is my big intro to solicit any and all ideas or observations that anyone may have, small and large, to help us each put a surfboards under our feet and ride the wave! Surfs Up!

[Gr8dayze]

Ok here's the little thought I had that actually caused me post the above discussion starter. If you are listing an item and it says Made in the USA on it, Put that in the title.

[MidcenturyMarilyn]

It's not much, but I collect boxes from work for shipping and use shredded junk mail, papers printed for my job, and slick circulars (no newsprint) to fill my packages. If anyone thinks we have it rough now, ask an older person about the depression and war rations. We are spoiled! Why were people allowed to buy million dollar houses on an adjustable rate mortgage? Why were businesses allowed to stop funding legitimate pension plans and employees forced to put their hard earned dollars into the stock market? Why did my kids have to take peanut butter sandwiches every day while other kids got free lunch? Why dd my 2 year business school cost me full price @ 12% interst (20 years ago) while the people next to me in class got to go free on grants and also got gas money and free childcare? I am fed up with paying for every one else. Those auto workers get how much an hour? I promise that the lowest paid one makes 2 or 3 times what I do (per hour). I buy my clothes at Goodwill, I don't mind, probably would anyway, I drive a 13 year old car, don't mind, just worry it won't get me there, I work parttime, but now have to get another part time job because my husband no longer gets overtime, and that has hurt us. I don't mind frugal, just tired of never getting a break, and now that we are looking at our retirement in a few years, we are afraid we won't have anything left, have lost over half of his retirement fund. I know it's the same for all of you, and I don't want to sound whiny or militant or anything, and this is probably not the place for this, I'm just in a mood!

[Gr8dayze]

MidcenturyMarilyn said:

It's not much, but I collect boxes from work for shipping and use shredded junk mail, papers printed for my job, and slick circulars (no newsprint) to fill my packages. If anyone thinks we have it rough now, ask an older person about the depression and war rations. We are spoiled! Why were people allowed to buy million dollar houses on an adjustable rate mortgage? Why were businesses allowed to stop funding legitimate pension plans and employees forced to put their hard earned dollars into the stock market? Why did my kids have to take peanut butter sandwiches every day while other kids got free lunch? Why dd my 2 year business school cost me full price @ 12% interst (20 years ago) while the people next to me in class got to go free on grants and also got gas money and free childcare? I am fed up with paying for every one else. Those auto workers get how much an hour? I promise that the lowest paid one makes 2 or 3 times what I do (per hour). I buy my clothes at Goodwill, I don't mind, probably would anyway, I drive a 13 year old car, don't mind, just worry it won't get me there, I work parttime, but now have to get another part time job because my husband no longer gets overtime, and that has hurt us. I don't mind frugal, just tired of never getting a break, and now that we are looking at our retirement in a few years, we are afraid we won't have anything left, have lost over half of his retirement fund. I know it's the same for all of you, and I don't want to sound whiny or militant or anything, and this is probably not the place for this, I'm just in a mood!

[Gr8dayze]

Is exactly the place. True dat. the shovel has been swinging for quite awhile, more are really noticing it today perhaps. I also put this post at http://ecrater.ning.com if you want to double up?

[MidcenturyMarilyn]

I saw it there too, but people like me there! One rant a day is enough, don't you think?

[Gr8dayze]

It was inspirational. And I love all things recycled. People seem to be buying more recycled on the web and at the thrifts too. It is a fun 2nd or 3rd job (4th) :-) trying to be a good finder for collectors. A good descriptive title can help them find the things.

[Eco Chic Pink Boutiques]

Thank you!

[Kimberly Frakes Rust]

This may not be much or may seem simply rediculous to some but I myself save trash, what some would throw away and call garbage and wash it and and give it to some of the local elementary schools. I know when my son was in school they were always doing crafts with paper towel rolls, popsicle sticks and milk cartons. So I save and wash up mine and take them at least to offer them to the pre k and lower grade school teachers so they do not have to worry with begging parents (who so often forget or just do not want to be bothered). Also local daycare centers are a perfect place where these kind of supplies would be valued. I have found some of the teachers were so grateful. They use yogurt lids to dole out paste or glue to the students so they can dip their pieces into the glue instead of each student pouring so much glue out it is wasted. Also milk tops are good for that purpose. Even as an adult painter/artist I use milk tops and yogurt lids etc to mix paint in. Also pop tabs off of canned drinks can be used as hangers on the back of art work. There are so many things that would help teachers with costs of supplies in this throw away economy I just do not see the use in filling landfills with these items when teachers are struggling to get enough money to buy their supplies. It is a win/win situation for all.

[Gr8dayze]

Win Win is great. So much of my fun and some of my $ comes from fixing up old furniture and stuff for resale to a new home. Some great old things just need a little tlc and they are good to go.

I also keep the milk caps for wood glue or mixing epoxy glue or just for stain and paint touch ups - don't want to work out of a large container for small touch ups. Yup, Crafts. recycling!

With a pile of parts and pieces saved from parting out broken things, I can fix or build anything. Love It! I cannot afford to go buy new hardware for every project and usually can't find restoration pieces at stores anyway.

Aiming your efforts to the schools is great.

Pop tabs - I am building a few things with them too. Still on a secret mission with those till my website goes live. But I will have to send you a pic of 1 of my creations out of those.

[Kimberly Frakes Rust]

Oh Yes, Please do send me a photo of one of the secret projects with pop tabs. I am quite curious now. I had lost this site and am delighted they sent me a post with a link. I really like this place. Merry Christmas everyone. Have a blessed celebration with your friends and loved ones this year and remember to take LOTS of pictures. One day even bad pictures will be good to look back on and appreciated better than no pictures at all. Happy Crafting to all. Kimi

Gr8dayze said:

Win Win is great. So much of my fun and some of my $ comes from fixing up old furniture and stuff for resale to a new home. Some great old things just need a little tlc and they are good to go.

I also keep the milk caps for wood glue or mixing epoxy glue or just for stain and paint touch ups - don't want to work out of a large container for small touch ups. Yup, Crafts. recycling!

With a pile of parts and pieces saved from parting out broken things, I can fix or build anything. Love It! I cannot afford to go buy new hardware for every project and usually can't find restoration pieces at stores anyway.

Aiming your efforts to the schools is great.

Pop tabs - I am building a few things with them too. Still on a secret mission with those till my website goes live. But I will have to send you a pic of 1 of my creations out of those.

[Kerri Galluzzo]

I actually just wrote my blog yesterday about my vintage/eco-friendly lifestyle. You can read it at http://frugalmominma.wordpress.com. I shop at thrift shops and yard sales, but I don't buy junk, I find beautiful vintage items. Buying vintage is inexpensive, and with it you reduce, reuse and recycle. I recently opened an online vintage shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/shabbychic72. I frequently shop from other etsy sellers before being inclined to go to a store because the majority are eco-friendly. I lpersonally love vintage napkins, pyrex and vintage jewelry. Happy Holidays!