Part 1: Pay it forward
Even if you don’t have a lot of money or a lot of time chances are good that there’ still a lot that you can do to help make life a little better for someone else. Here are a few ways to pay forward your good fortune.
The clothes off your back: A couple years back I saw these cowboy boots I just had to have, beige with a brown and white design and a steal at only ten bucks but despite how much I craved them in the store I never wore them outside of my bedroom. Chances are good that you’ve got something similar, a shirt that looks great just maybe not on you or a coat you’ve outgrown. While to would be great if you could wait until you had a bag of that kind of stuff (wearable, workable and of course clean) the truth is it may take a while to get one together and while you’re waiting there are people that can be using it. If you’re local thrift store won’t pick up a few pieces then try a homeless shelter or halfway house and if what you have is suitable for work then check out programs in your area specifically helping those transistioning back into the workforce. And of course there are always websites like Craigslist where you can post those items for free.
The good word: Compliments are an easy way to boost your karma points. Comments that come from someplace genuine have the power to brighten another person’s day or send them down memory lane in the best way. Dig the new ‘do of the lady in front of you in line politely say so or if you like the t-shirt of the guy sitting across from you on the train let him know. You don’t have to make a big deal out of it and there’s no need to gush, just smile and make your statement.
You "can" do it: Canned goods and other non perishable items are generally pretty cheap with generic brands somewhere around $1.50 or less, the next time you’re at the supermarket why not pick up a few extra items especially for donation at your local food bank. Or if you’re feeling particularly inspired you can organize a canned food drive at work or at school.
Book worms: While most voracious readers find it hard to part with their books I’m only like that with select tomes and as a result I have quite a few that have ended up in a yard sale pile. But I’ve also donated them to my local library as well and that’s what I urge you to do or find a homeless shelter or halfway house that could utilize them.
Part 2: Jolly green giant
We’ve all heard the catchy slogans, things along the lines of “reduce, reuse, recycle” and going green seems to be the latest fad producing everything from tote bags which are stamped proudly with the words “I am not a plastic bag” (and can cost hundreds of dollars) to fuel efficient SUV’s (I bet no one saw that coming). But more than just being trendy, being conscious of our consumption has become a necessity in this era of disposable everything where global warming is real and water shortages are the result along with threats to once thriving ecosystems. Far from being alarmist or extremist it’s important that we all start minimizing our impact on the planet and begin playing a lot nicer with the resources we have after all in true karmic fashion it’s been said that we don’t inherit the earth from our parents but rather borrow it from our children.
1. Green eggs and spam: Ok so anyone born within the last 20 years or so knows that there are 2 kinds of spam, the mystery meat that comes in a blue can and the annoying unsolicited and overbearing emails that invade your email accounts. Offline I ignore the former and online I ignore the latter. While deleting spam messages may be as simple as a couple clicks you may be overwhelmed with an influx of it’s real life counterpart: junk mail. We all get post cards from companies we’ve never heard of and catalogs from brands we don’t or won’t shop and usually we just rip the mailing labels off and dispose of the stuff. But there’s a better way: stop it altogether and get some trees planted in the process, it’s a win-win.
For more info please visit: http://www.greendimes.com/how-it-works.html
2. The Green house: I’m sure you all know the basics of conserving energy and water, things like turning off lights and electronics when not in use and not letting the water run while you’re brushing you teeth (more on the water thing later) but did you know that there are even household cleaning supplies which are better for the environment, things which are non toxic and in some cases even biodegradable.
Check this out: http://www.mrsmeyers.com/
And this: http://www.methodhome.com/
And this: http://www.seventhgeneration.com/
And this too: http://www.shaklee.com/index.shtml
In addition I’ve learned that even when we think we’re saving energy some of it can still be wasted so why not prevent that when you can by getting an energy saving smart strip (it’s like a surge protector with brains) http://catalog.bitsltd.us/power_strips/ You can even buy one that’s been recycled in an environmentally friendly way http://catalog.bitsltd.us/power_strips/
3. Water, water everywhere (or maybe not): I was freaked out when I first heard about the water shortage in Georgia not too long ago, after all one of the first things I remember learning about the environment is that water is a renewable resource and my initial thought (after the panic of course) was how in the heck does something cyclical become depleted. The whole thing made my head and heart hurt and I started looking for ways to converse water. Here are 10 things you may not have considered that could be a big help:
1. Check for toilet tank leaks by adding food coloring to the tank. If the toilet is leaking, color will appear within 30 minutes. Check the toilet for worn out, corroded or bent parts. Most replacement parts are inexpensive, readily available and easily installed. (Flush as soon as test is done, since food coloring may stain tank and only do this when you have to actually pee-just remember to use a color other than yellow).
2. Use the minimum amount of water needed for a bath by closing the drain first and filling the tub only 1/3 full. Stopper tub before turning water. The initial burst of cold water can be warmed by adding hot water later.
3. Repair dripping faucets by replacing washers. If your faucet is dripping at the rate of one drop per second, you can expect to waste 2,700 gallons per year which will add to the cost of water and sewer utilities, or strain your septic system.
4. Rinsing your dishes in a plugged sink rather than under a running tap saves water and is just as easy and effective.
5. Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway or sidewalk and save 80 gallons of water every time.
6. Install a low-flow shower head. They're inexpensive, easy to install, and can save your family more than 500 gallons a week.
7. Install an instant water heater on your kitchen sink so you don't have to let the water run while it heats up. This will also reduce heating costs for your household.
8. Wash your car on the grass. This will water your lawn at the same time.
9. Cook food in as little water as possible. This will also retain more of the nutrients.
10. If you accidentally drop ice cubes when filling your glass from the freezer, don't throw them in the sink. Drop them in a house plant instead. This can also be done with the ice you have left over if you get a drink from a fast food place and bring it home.
4. Just do it: What possible use could there be for a sneaker that no longer fits, has been worn nearly to pieces or you just don’t love any more? According to Nike those outgrown , over worn and newly unloved shoes can be recycled into play surfaces. This is one time when brand loyalty isn’t a factor for the execs since they’ll take athletic shoes of any brand provided they aren’t wet or damp, don’t contain metal and aren’t cleats or dress shoes.
To find a drop off location near you please visit Nike reuse-a-shoe
5. I’m dreaming of a green Chrismahannakwaanzukuh: This holiday season (and for every one after this) be conscious of gift packaging ect.
Here are a few tips:
1. Make fabric gift bags which can be reused year after year.
2. Metallic and glossy wrapping papers are toxic when burned. Always recycle these papers. Think of using fabric ribbon (easier to reuse) rather than those plastic stick-on bows.
3. If you want to buy an artificial tree, get a good one so you can reuse it year after year. And, if you are buying ornaments, it is better to buy a few good ones every year (and reuse them thereafter) than to buy cheap ones that need to be replaced each year.
4. Wrap gifts in old maps or blueprints, newspapers, Sunday comics, and kids' artwork. To make the wrapping part of the gift, put kitchen utensils in a new dish towel, gardening supplies in a flowerpot, or homemade cookies in a new cookie jar.
6. Going, going green: Just 10 more ways to make the world a little greener.
1. Get rid of that plastic bag (or more likely the pile of them you have growing in your kitchen). This is a simple one just get a tote (or two) to take with you the next time you go shopping. If you’re at a loss as to where to find something suitable this may be a great starting point.
2. Plant a tree or rather give money to a cause that’ll plant one someplace it’s needed. Trees do more than provide shade and squirrel playgrounds a healthy forest also filers water and helps to remove air pollution.
Check this out for more info: http://www.americanforests.org/planttrees/
3. Unplug your chargers when you're not charging. Every house is full of little plastic power supplies to charge cell phones, PDA's, digital cameras, cordless tools and other personal gadgets. Keep them unplugged until you need them.
4. Go to the library. Not only does borrowing the book (or movie or cd) save you cash but it also prevents excess clutter in your house now and excess waste in our landfills when you decide that a certain celebrity is better off acting than being an author.
5. When buying jewelry (and who doesn’t love a little bauble every now and again) do so responsibly because it is possible to have something fab that doesn’t fuck the planet in the process. In that vein look for man made diamonds or recycled gold.
6. BYOB or better yet MYOB as in Make your own bottle…of soda that is. If you’re house is anything like mine you go through a lot of the stuff and yes I do recycle however recycling takes energy too. Something worth trying is making your own soda…in bottles that are reusable. It’s easier than it sounds and probably way better for you.
For more info go here: http://www.sodaclubusa.com/default.htm
7. Get your car clean without wasting water (I know I’m all about conserving the water and the truth is ya’ll should be too) by employing a system that uses less of it. I know that probably sounds like futuristic crazy talk but check this out: http://www.ecotouch.net/
8. Become “climate neutral”. We all do things which add to the carbon monoxide emissions in our air and until we all sprout wings we’re going to need to keep driving or taking mass transit so to help offset some of what we out there you can now calculate how much pollution you place into the environment and then make a purchase to help build or fund projects that create newer sources of renewable energy. Trust me it makes sense.
9. Become a member or make a one time donation to the Natural Resources Defense Council. The NRDC is all about seriously making the world a better and healthier place to live. ‘ Tis the season so give a little something to them.
10. Don’t buy things made from endangered animals, after all is that genuine tortoise shell comb really worth much if you kill off the majestic animal it came from?