I keep my thermostat below 60deg in the winter and wear sweaters
I removed my lawn and planted a garden
I use my computer for all my needs, eliminating material items like TV, CD player, etc
I print pdf documents and email them instead of printing
I eat vegetarian (no that doesn’t mean I eat vegetarians)
I bring used plastic containers and bags and use them when I buy bulk items at the store
I ride my bike everywhere
I built a cargo trailer and use it to carry large items like lumber, furniture, etc.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/sets/72157594287363109/
This post was submitted by Aaron.
I run the dishwasher only when it is really full. I turn it off as soon as the washing cycle is done, before the dry cycle comes on. Then I open the door of the dishwasher and let the dishes airdry saving wasteful electricity. I am amazed how fast they do dry. I have really changed and now have no desire to shop at the mall etc. I have given up meat, compost all I can, recycle everything possible, and bring home lots of recyclbles from work. While I do all I can it saddens me to see the waste at the nursing home where I work. People laugh at me when they see me putting cans, cardboard etc in my car to recycle but hey I hope I convert someone else by example.
This post was submitted by greg.
I always re-cycle used ice cubes from glasses. I use then to water plants, clean the garbage disposal, put in the doggie water dish, pour into the bird bath outside,or add them to an already cold liquid in the refrigerator. I never just throw them down the sink.
This post was submitted by Hope Bethea.
how did u get by w/out toilet paper? i have not bought tp for i don’t know how many yrs(10?). when i’m invited to go out to eat, i save napkins to use in place of tp. at work, i take the roll of tp that the janitor takes out & puts on the tp dispenser in order to make room for a new roll. this tp would otherwise end up in the trash cuz eventually it falls on the floor where it gets wet & dirty. i also pick up unused paper towels that i find on the floor. yes it sounds weird & gross, but i always make sure it’s clean. i still am curious as to how u got by w/out tp. also, did u use a composting toilet?
This post was submitted by mjt11860.
I love that so many people are talking about composting.
I take that one step further. After washing my vegetables well I save all my carrot scapings, onion skins, asparagus ends,lettuce scraps and other would be waste in a large container in the freezer. When the container is full I put it all in a stockpot on the top of my woodstove overnight,a crock pot would work for those who don’t have a woodstove. In the morning I strain it and have free vegetable broth.THEN I compost the vegetable mush.
I also keep a container in the freezer for chicken bones, skins and left over meat and do the same but do not compost that after cooking.
This post was submitted by gail.
I’ve been washing laundry by hand and air drying for 8 years now. I started because of a shortage of funds but now I prefer it. I was able to buy used drying racks at yard sales, and place them on my deck on weekends. During inclement weather, I plan things out a bit more, washing only what will be needed and drying it in the the bathtub. A portable hanger rack does the trick here, but the racks can also be moved into the bathtub.
One tends to learn what the clothes will do. Some fabrics dry rapidly, some slowly, and so choices are made based on those criterion.
I’ve also washed bedding, but I’m not allowed a full on laundry line so these are best handled in the washing machine or dryer. Still, on a sunny day with low humidity, sheets and bedding can be supported by sundry items; you end up with something that smells wonderful.
This post was submitted by Joan.
i gave up Shampoo a long time ago, probably at least a year and a half, and i have never been happier with my hair. its not always super dried out anymore, and I’m sure I’ve saved tons of money by not buying shampoo. i tried the balking soda thing for a while and the “transition period” lasted to long, so i just use my glycerin bar soap if i feel like i need to wash my hair, other wise i just get it wet when i shower and it seems fine. it never stinks or looks or feels dirty. i recently got it cut so i want to try the baking soda again. every time i get my hair cut now, the hair dresser tells me how nice and healthy my hair is.
This post was submitted by Tabatha.
I cut up our old worn-out sheets into napkin-sized pieces. No sewing necessary-we just fold them & keep them in a drawer. We have completely elimated the need for paper napkins, & almost never use paper towels. We use cut-up old t-shirts & other worn-out clothes for cleaning, even mirrors! For the occasional dog accidents, we use wadded up newspaper & some vinegar & water. We get just about all of our clothes from thrift shops, Freecycle, or Craigslist. We are drying more of our clothes on drying racks, & use eco detergents. We buy organic foods when possible, & try to avoid most processed foods. We have learned to freeze many more items, such as leftover pasta sauce. That really works! We use the “when yellow, let it mellow” rule in the bathroom, & we use toilet paper made from recycled paper. We use recycled aluminum foil now, when needed. We can’t afford a hybrid or solar panels or geothermal yet, but we have high hopes for the future! We have been vegetarian for over twenty years. We share our ideas about recycling & reuse with friends, & even pick up a few ideas from them.
This post was submitted by Elle.
Reduce your full time working week to 4 days of 9.5hrs each.
I am trying this for the first time and expect to save money mostly on transport. Another small bonus is reducing my professional wardrobe needs.
Obviously the best bit is to have a whole day to myself to work on hobbies. This might increase my homesteading and self sufficiency.
I’ve already found that I like starting work earlier, its very quiet and peaceful in the office. This is good for reducing stress.
*This tip was originally from the Your Money or Your Life book.
This post was submitted by BohoBelle.
For one year I bought no clothes for myself - new or used. The point of this is not what you might assume. It is a way to recalibrate your mind away from consuming as pleasure seeking or pain avoiding. Other ways I’ve done this is to have Buy Nothing Tuesdays, or Eat Local Meals, Weeks or forever! What I found is that my trip was busted - like Colin, I went a long time thinking being grumpy at SUV’s or ‘talking about ecology’ was actually doing something positive. I call that ‘David Suzuki Syndrome’. You just get mad and nothing happens. This year I’m buying no food at work, I’m packing or going without. I stress this is a method to change the way I think (or don’t think) but just consume without need or really the wherewithall to continue apace.
This post was submitted by Jan Morrison.