Comments for a little greener every day

Comment on Listen by Becky

Becky — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 15:05:17 +0000

This is amazing, Robin. Thank you so much for sharing it!

Comment on quotable Tuesday by Mrs. Money

Mrs. Money — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 23:14:12 +0000

Awesome quote! I want to print this and put it in my office!

Comment on quotable Tuesday by Alison Kerr

Alison Kerr — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 22:14:06 +0000

I love this quote. I’ve featured it at my own blog too

Comment on What inspires your desire to take care of the earth? by Alison Kerr

Alison Kerr — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 22:11:51 +0000

I have to say that celebrities don’t inspire me personally. Other eco-bloggers do inspire me though and naturalists from the past, people like John Muir and Rachel Carson, are an inspirational example to follow.

Mostly I’m inspired by my own drive to do things better, to take better care of our planet so that I can continue to enjoy the beauties of nature. I don’t think it’s permissible for me to despoil the Earth for my own needs.

So, the inspiration comes from within, but the impetus to keep going comes from reading other examples of what people, like you Robin, are doing. It’s hard to keep motivated and focused without being part of some kind of community who cares.

Comment on What inspires your desire to take care of the earth? by Becky

Becky — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 21:38:36 +0000

What a great question! I wonder how many folks get inspired from a celebrity endorsement. I sort of think campaigns like the one you mention are more like…little nudges? Folks are bombarded with messages all day, and I think it’s about repetition more than one specific message convincing a person, you know? I guess I feel like it plays out this way: the first few times you hear about our impact on the world around us, it doesn’t stick, then maybe it nags at you a little, and then finally you’re ready to act.

So, to answer your question:
The environment has been something that was important to me since I was a kid. It felt selfish in a way to make choices without keeping the planet in mind. Living as gently as possible has just always felt like common sense. But maybe I just got those messages early on?

Comment on Thrift store shopping tips by Alison Kerr

Alison Kerr — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 20:59:33 +0000

Thanks for the tips Robin. I used to thrift store shop a lot when the kids were little – for them, not for me. After I moved to Kansas though I didn’t find a store I really liked. I changed over to garage sale shopping. Then the kids reached an age where I was never finding clothes the right size for them at garage sales. I think it really helps if you are an “average size”.

For the moment I just wear everything I buy until it falls apart – it’s that Scottish frugality. It works! My oldest piece of clothing I’ve had since I knitted it at about age 14yrs – longer ago than I care to calculate. And I have boots which are 20 years old and still great (I had them resoled a few months ago).

Comment on The green home office: signing up for paperless billing by Despairing

Despairing — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:24:15 +0000

Would you believe one of my banks is going in the other direction? I got an email this week from the said bank, which has just been taken over by a Spanish company. As part of that, they’re reorganising – and removing online access for my account completely! To say I’m not happy is an understatement.

As for financial software, have a look at this list. It’s written by an American so I can’t use most of them, so can’t vouch for any (I use Microsoft Money) but I guess you try as many as take your fancy until you find one you really like. I hear good things about Mint.

http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2009/07/01/good-bye-microsoft-money-16-powerful-personal-finance-programs/

Comment on Thrift store shopping tips by What’s Happening Wednesday | Backyard Mama

What’s Happening Wednesday | Backyard Mama — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 12:52:40 +0000

[...] Before you go to Lands End or LL Bean for your spring duds, try a thrift store. Here are some tips from Robin at a little greener everyday. [...]

Comment on Thrift store shopping tips by Shannon

Shannon — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 19:58:26 +0000

Great thrift store story: I looked everywhere for a dress to wear to my dad’s wedding. I wanted something simple but elegant. It wasn’t a fancy wedding, but these were city people and I am a country bumbkin- so our standards are different. I finally went in the little thrift store down the road where most of the clothes are way to old lady like for me.. and there it was, one elegant black dress that I never would have tried on anywhere else,but I was desperate. It cost $10.00. Best deal ever. I looked like one good looking backyard mama (with some very rough hands!)

Comment on Thrift store shopping tips by robin

robin — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 01:27:55 +0000

@Diana Okay, between you and Becky above, maybe I need to get a little bolder about trying things on in the middle of the aisle. Or maybe not....