I got a phone call from a friend of mine today about ways to save money. In giving her ideas, I was reflecting on our life and how we used to be so far below the poverty line that the poverty line was invisible.
I was also thinking about or 90% reduction challenge and trying to be eco-friendly in my response and realized that the two are not incompatible. So, I decided to list some of the things we do that save money and resources at the same time.
Line dry
Cook from scratch
Bulk cook
Use a crockpot (or better yet, solar oven if you have one.)
Grow your own veggies. Use pots and windows if you don't have a yard.
Throw away your cleaning products.
Clean with vinegar
Your hair too.
Rubbing alcohol instead of deodorant. (Works for smell, not sweat.)
Borax/super washing soda for your laundry
Vinegar in the rinse cycle
Cloth pads
Cloth toilet paper. (A stack of wash cloths at the dollar store work just fine.)
Cloth diapers
Put a few dollars a week aside now for a CSA next year. (I did the math on this. $14.02 a week for locally grown organic produce. Less than Kroger.)
Shop at farmer's market in season.
Walk when possible.
Country living? Combine trips. (R. Are we doing yoga tomorrow during Charlie's piano lesson?)
Get a few chickens. Check your zoning laws. Some cities allow chickens but not roosters. Chickens eat table scraps. Including chicken and eggs.
Do your clothes shopping at yard sales and thrift stores.
Be creative. That stained table cloth can become a beautiful skirt. Or a couple of child sized jumper dresses.
Rain barrels.
There are plenty more ideas, but I am tired and it is late.
