Frugal and Green
In honor of Earth Day, I thought I would look at some small steps that I have incorporated, primarily to create less waste that are beneficial to the wallet as well:
–I use online banking and bill pay, receive all statements digitally, and save on trips to the bank and postage for the bills. I did the calculation once, and found the postage is now a non-negligible saving.
–I bring canvass bags with me to the store. I like the canvas bags much better than the paper bags since they are designed to be more ergonomic (I can carry over the shoulder) and the handles won’t tear. The grocery store that I frequent the most often gives you raffle tickets for bringing your own bags and you can enter for a chance to win $25 of groceries. Another nearby store offers 10 cent credit for bags.
–I use energy saving appliances. One of my favorites in the kitchen is the crockpot which is quite energy efficient. I actually started using the crockpot to make meals when I was very busy and needed to come home to something prepared. One of the main areas that the crockpot is great with is in cooking dried beans. I find the crockpot prepared beans superior (in taste and texture) to canned beans. I also use a small toaster oven instead of the full oven when possible.
–I’ve switched all of the lights in the house to Cfl lightbulbs. The quality of the lightbulbs has improved substantially. In addition to using a lot less electricity, the bulbs should last a lot longer, creating less waste of discarded bulbs. The cost of keeping high wattage incandescent bulbs on a lot is surprisingly high.
What steps do you take?
see more at the Festival of Frugality
Too many to mention, but a few of my favorites:
Line-dry my clothes
Have my electric hot water heater on a timer, just like my furnace thermostat
Drive a 10-year-old car (and going strong)
Use empty cereal liner bags to wrap sandwiches for lunch
Bring lunch to work 99% of the time
Fern, Great list.
Trash bags. I’m usually too embarrassed to ask, but since I don’t know you……
What do people who use cloth bags at the grocery store use for trash bags?
I’ve always used those plastic grocery store bags for trash or dog doo and I’m not at all sure what the alternatives are!
Terri, good question. Even with using cloth bags at the grocery store, I have enough plastic bags from other places to recycle for other uses, especially since we recycle the paper goods and cans separately.
Any one else have ideas for Terri?
[...] G (Modern Gal) presents Frugal and Green posted at Modern Gal. The only post dedicated to Earth Day (April 22nd). Four ways in which [...]
Thanks Elizabeth. I don’t gather enough cloth bags other places to use for trash so I do use the grocery plastic for trash. It makes me cranky though when the clerk looks down their nose at me for using them. No one has come up with a solution yet.
Terri, interestingly, after reading your question, I googled green poop bags and came upon places that have biodegradeable bags to collect dog poop. I think this might qualify for green but not entirely frugal. I have never used them, so I can’t comment, but perhaps some others have tried it.
Thanks Elizabeth. Therein lies the problem. I can find 16 bags/for $7.99 which sounds excessive. One day they’re make the cheap ones biodegradable. Until then I at least make certain they’re used and not floating around the neighborhood!
ps – I like your website, found through ERE
Terri, unfortunately, right now, a number of ecologically beneficial things (like some organic fruit) are priced out of the range of 99%+ of people. I may write more about this soon. Thanks so much for commenting.
[...] Modern Gal shares specific ways she will save money while going [...]
[...] Modern Gal shares specific ways she will save money while going [...]