Wednesday, April 8, 2009

The Seven Stones of Simpler Living

The Seven Stones of Simpler Living
A greener life isn't about eco-friendly products. It's about finding the important things -- and setting them in balance.


by Chris Baskind


Seven stacked river stones.

When I was a kid, my parents would sometimes take us to a campground called Paradise Park. It was a little camp in the California foothills: a woodsy reserve dotted with old oak trees sloping down to a well-shaded river.

Most of the time, it wasn’t much more than a stream. But its bed was thick with well-worn river stones, testimony to uncountable seasons of floods and the persuasive nature of water. Over the centuries, the river had slowly carried away mountainsides, tumbling and cracking rock, reducing boulders into a rainbow of smooth, flat stones the size of a child’s hand. We’d spend hours picking through the best of them, finding the perfect rock to skip across the river. Invariably, we’d build little stacks of stones along the bank.

There’s something deeply satisfying about stacking stones. It’s a common motif in Zen gardens, which seek to create order out of nature’s seeming chaos. In doing so, they highlight the harmony and balance of our place in the world.

It’s not difficult to find a lesson in the stones for those of us trying to simplify our sprawling lives. We’ve chosen seven from the riverbed for you today — ideas that can help you live a lighter, healthier, more sustainable life. Stack them as you will.


Stone #1
Reduce your consumption

Anyone who thinks they can shop their way to greener living has been watching too much television. Sure, responsible consumerism matters. Every purchase is a choice. But the key to simpler, greener living is pretty straightforward: consume less. A simple way to cut back on unnecessary purchases is the One Week rule. Unless you have a real show-stopper, write down the things you need and sit on them for seven days. Stores are designed to encourage impulse spending, so staying away as much as possible is good news for your bank account. After a week, round up the items you still need and group them together with an eye toward combining as many trips as possible. Then stick to your list. While this all sounds very simple, you’ll quickly realize how chaotic our spending habits can be — and how much money you can save through better planning.


Stone #2
Reduce Your Waste Stream

We call it garbage; other nations might call it wealth. There’s no end to things we send to the landfill. Recycling helps, but the sheer volume of waste generated by the average household is overwhelming. From obsolete electronics to that mason jar you casually tossed in the trash last night, we’re flooding our landfills while robbing ourselves of things which might be put to another use. Start by thinking twice when you purchase something: Is whatever you’re buying too heavily packaged? Do you need it all? Think again before putting anything in a trash or recycling bin. Nobody expects you to become a packrat, but that jar could easily be repurposed as a water bottle or something to pack a snack. Food scraps belong in the compost heap. Maybe that cardboard, too. For some idea starters on keeping things out of the bin, check out this helpful list from No Impact Man.

Stone #3
Trim Your Energy Use

Energy prices have relaxed over the past few months as a direct result of the worldwide economic slowdown. But electricity, gasoline, natural gas, and heating oil still represent a hefty portion of the average family budget. Unless you’re fortunate enough to live in an area already invested in renewable energy, every unattended TV or flick of the light switch means you’re burning fossil fuels. That means you’re directly responsible for the air pollution and all the related consumables it took to bring that power to your wall socket. You’ll find hundreds of energy saving tips here on Lighter Footstep, and we’re posting more every week. Learn to weatherize; replace or retire inefficient appliances; consider more energy efficient lighting; and rearrange your living spaces so they take better advantage of natural heat, lighting, and cooling. Switch things off and pocket the change. You’ll probably enjoy the peace and quiet.

Stone #4
Prepare and Grow Your Own Food

If there’s one lost art in the past decade or two, it’s cooking real food. By “cooking,” we don’t mean warming up packaged food from the grocery store. We’re talking about preparing meals from fresh ingredients. That’s how our parents and grandparents did it. Admittedly, society has changed: With dual-income households and ever-expanding work schedules, it’s easy to fall back on processed meals and fast foods. And that’s a shame. Making a meal — whether it’s just for yourself or a whole family — is the one of the little rituals which forces us to slow down and be mindful of what we eat. It’s also healthier, and an enormous money saver. Not too handy in the kitchen? Take a class, or spend time cooking with someone you love. Real food needn’t be complicated. And consider growing some of what you consume. Even if you’re not blessed with the space to plant a garden, you can grow a satisfying crop of herbs and vegetables in modest containers.


Stone #5

Reduce Reliance on Automobiles

We love our cars. And why not? Virtually everything about modern living — particularly in the United States — assumes automobile transportation. Think how much blacktop and concrete there is within a hundred yards of you right now. Our cities sprawl across what used to be countryside. Stores and businesses which make provision for bicycles and mass transit are the exception, and we feel inconvenienced if there’s not plenty of parking within a few paces of wherever we travel. Dust off that bicycle or grab a backpack and get walking. Perhaps you could start by taking our Ten Mile Pledge. The more you park your car, the more money you’ll save and the healthier you’ll feel. Start small, establish new habits, and you’ll be surprised how much you can get done without burning a drop of gasoline.


Stone #6
Reduce your personal stress

It’s not an accident that virtually every one of our “simplicity stones” has a meditative component. You have to make time to prepare food, choose walking over a car trip, or even make a proper shopping list. This is a good thing, because it forces you to unburden yourself of something else. We are hopelessly overstimulated. Living a greener life is less about learning new things than letting go of the old. Think about all the tasks you do in a week that take longer than thirty minutes. Look most carefully at social obligations, hobbies — even the time you spend online. Have any of these become a chore? What could be jettisoned? It could be something as simple as dropping a social network, or a repetitive task which could be delegated to others. You could probably find a few extra hours a week in this manner. Don’t be in a hurry to fill them. Pick up a book, talk a walk, or putter in the garden. Light physical activity is a great way to trade stress for a little extra serotonin. If you’re doing a good job saving money, you might be able to afford that once-a-week massage. Now, at least, you’ll have time to fit it in.


Stone #7
Learn to give back

You’ve reduced your consumption. There are a few extra dollars in the bank. Your environmental footstep gets a little smaller from month to month, and you’ve managed reclaim some time from the chaos of your week. Now you’re ready to give back. It’s an encouraging sign that the very same people being pushed aside by a faltering economy are sparking a new surge in volunteerism. Perhaps it’s the old adage that adversity brings out the best in people. Or maybe something new is happening: a return to the ideals of community and service. How you join in is a personal decision. Teach your new-found skills to others, help people find jobs, or assist a faith or social group. As you learn to slow down and simplify, chances are that opportunities to serve will find you.

Seven stones — but, of course, there are more. What are some of the things that have worked as you seek to simplify your life? Share them with others by leaving a comment below.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Where to Recycle Everything for Cash

Where to Recycle Everything for Cash


As you begin your spring cleaning, why not replace all that stuff you don’t need with a little extra cash?

Get Cash for Your Old Books

Check out Cash 4 Books. Enter the ISBN, supply your contact information, send the book, and expect payment within three days after they receive your books.

Get Cash for Your Old CDs

Check out PlayIC.com to swap or sell DVDs, CDs, and games.

Get Cash for Your Old Gadgets

VenJuvo.com helps you calculate your item’s worth and then buys it from you with two payment options—PayPal or check. (Site is temporarily down for updates. Will be back up shortly).

Second Rotation.com purchases mobile phones, gaming consoles, MP3 players, and other gadgets to resell them. You could earn over $150 for one item.

Get Cash for Your Old Sporting Goods

Visit usedsports.com to sell your assorted sporting equipment.

Get Cash for Your Old Ink Cartridges

Visit freerecycling.com. According to their list of qualifying ink jet cartridges, you can make up to $3.60 per item sent!

This is a donation but it surely helps the environment and less fortunate humans!

Where to Recycle Your Old Computer Monitor

Visit Computers with Causes, a site that gives donated computers to needy families. Just click on your state at the bottom of the page and fill out the form.