Day 11 of Giving: Be Eco-Friendly!


Go HERE to read all about the 30 Day Giving Challenge!  The goal is simple: Give every day in some way for the entire month of November.  Rather than telling you how we are personally giving, I’ve decided to give all of you some fun ideas for how to give!

Most of the time when we think about giving, we think mostly about giving to people. But what about other ways to give?  Our world is beautiful, and we are blessed to have a magnificent scene of nature all around us to enjoy.  But we need to take care of this world.  Every little bit helps, and I am a firm believer in being an environmental steward.

Today’s giving idea?

Go the extra mile to be eco-friendly.

  • See some trash on the side of the road?  Stop and pick it up.
  • Make sure to recycle.  Maybe you need to start permanently using a recycling program in your neighborhood, if you haven’t already.
  • Conserve gas by combining trips and not using so much fuel.
  • Turn off lights when you’re not using them.  Conserve some energy.
  • When printing those coupons, try to use up as much of the paper as possible.  Flip that piece of paper over.  Use both sides.  Use the extra scraps to write “to do” lists on.
  • When considering a Holiday gift for somebody, how about getting them an eco-friendly gift?

:)   The list goes on.  But let’s give to the earth today, and help preserve this wonderful world we live in!

What About You: How are you being eco-friendly today?

*Photo Credit: Andrew Morrell

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Breaking The Paper Towel Cycle…

*Photo Credit: edkohler

I used to have a serious addiction: Paper Towels.

What is so wrong with paper towels, you ask?  For starters, they’re very wasteful and not so eco-friendly.

Not to mention, paper towels are not frugal…in the slightest.  It is the one item that you just can’t seem to find a killer deal on.  I used to have a target price I would aim for on paper towels – Under $5 for a 8-pack.  I could usually get it at that price, but that was still quite a bit of money to be blazing through, especially since it came out of our grocery budget.  (I say blazing, because we could literally go through a package in about a week.)

I was willing to pay it, though. Why?  Because I was spoiled.  And so was my husband.  I’ll just go ahead and say it.  We were straight-up paper towel addicts! When paper towels ran out in our house, we honestly kind of freaked out.  No towels to wipe up messes?  Nothing quick and sanitary to wipe our hands with?  Nothing to cover bowls in the microwave?  The list goes on…

Suddenly, the paper towel deals stopped.  I couldn’t find them for under $6 for a couple of months.  I stood my ground, and waited for that $5 deal.  It never came.

We went without paper towels for at least 3 or 4 months…

…and it wasn’t that bad.  Actually, we got used to it.

We started using regular kitchen towels, rags, and cloths for everything. I did have to break down and buy a cheap package of napkins, just to have something for meals.  But other than that, we eliminated our need for paper towels.

About a month and a half ago, I snagged a sweet deal on paper towels.  The package is still sitting on top of our fridge…and at least half the package has not been used.  We got so used to going without paper towels, that we barely even use them anymore!

I used to read blog posts about people who did not buy paper towels, and I thought they were CRAZY.  Now?  I realize that it’s definitely something unnecessary that anybody can cut out of the budget if they need to.  Just pick up a stack of kitchen cloths at any store for a buck or two.

Saves tons of money?  Better for the environment?  Why wouldn’t we want to embrace this easy solution that helps us break that paper towel cycle?

What About You: Are you addicted to paper towels?  I won’t hold it against you if you are.  I promise!  ;)

This post is linked to Thrifty Thursday and Frugal Friday

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