Buying Power

Buying Power

I love things.  Being able to hold something in my hands or swipe my credit card to purchase said item always gives me a little high.  Am I a shopaholic?  That depends on who you ask, but generally I'm fairly good with my money.  

Once I started thinking about going "greener" or cutting out my plastic consumption the first thing I wanted to do though was "buy, Buy, BUY!".  Now that I'm cutting down my plastic wouldn't it be great to invest in a ceramic soup mug to eat my ramen in?  How about buying a new set up utensils to leave at work so I'm not using plastic?  I'm running out of toothpaste, wouldn't the new LUSH tooth-y tabs help with my plastic consumption?  

I am constantly surrounded by gadgets and items that would help me "go green", but do I really need them?  I had this same eco-kick once I arrived back from the Philippines in 2008, but did the things I do then create a lasting habit?  My klean kanteen still sits on a shelf since I prefer my clear plastic water bottles.  The recycled paper Christmas cards I send out every year?  More than likely trashed.  

My goal is to evaluate the things I want to buy and see if I really need them.  If I do and they would help with my plastic consumption, great!  If not, we will see. 

Coke, Soda, Pop

Coke, Soda, Pop

No matter what you call it I'm a pretty big soda drinker.  Coming from rural Tennessee I was raised on Mountain Dew and have been known to spend my day drinking nothing but the sugary goodness of that soda.  Over the years I've done a few things to cut down my soda consumption from only allowing myself to drink soda in the car to purchasing it only before work events where I will need the caffeine.  

Fast forward to the past couple of weeks.  Work has been rough, let's face it when you end up working 14-16 hour days and are running on 3 hours of sleep Mountain Dew is a lifesaver.  What can I do to change things?  Well in the time being I'm not going to purchase anymore plastic bottle sodas, but I will allow myself to buy sodas that are packaged in glass bottles.  Let's see how this goes!     

Eco Life Crisis

As I enter my Quarter Life Crisis (25) I've starting to wonder…  What have I offered the world?  Have I really made a difference?  Am I turning in a boring 20-something?   At the same time what am I actually doing to change things?  I hope that this blog will help me evaluate what I’m doing to make a change in my life and others.     Goals: 

• READ!  Read as much literature about the environment and bettering myself. Currently I’m reading Beth Terry’s “Plastic Free” to get a better understanding of plastic on our environment.

• Evaluate my plastic consumption:  What can I do to make a change and work to eradicate one-time-use objects in my life

• Shopping:  What new products can I find to support this lifestyle and what can I get rid of?

 Join me on this journey and help keep me accountable!