Simply Vicki

Welcome to Frugal Fridays, bloggers please read the guidelines before putting your links in Mr. Linky.  Thank you.

First, I want to say thank you to those who participated in last week’s carnival and gave me advice on how to keep my cabin-fevered kids entertained while staying frugal.  And thank you so much to all the commenters who shared ideas.  I appreciate all of you.

Now, on to this week.  My frugal tip this Friday is to go green.  Here are three tips to feel better about your impact on this big ball we call Earth that cost very little or nothing at all.

1.  Plastic grocery bags.  I think this is a very basic and easy place to start.  Almost every store has their own re-usable shopping bag now.  If they don’t, once they realize the free advertising and how much it could effect their bottom line, I think they will be jumping on board.  You can buy these bags for $1-$2 and never have to worry about a pantry overrun with plastic bags again.  Check out my friend Tara’s post for some shocking statistics regarding these seemingly harmless little things.

2.  Grab a sock.  Everyone has those random socks that end up separated from their mates.  Or a thread bare t-shirt or holey towel.  Rip ‘em up.  Then use them to replace your paper towels for window washing, floor mopping and dusting.  Those are free.  If you have other plans for your single socks, pick up some micro-fiber towels/washcloths and use them.

3.  Watch your water.  I’ve read some shocking statistics in Organic Gardening recently about water usage.  I never realized how much water we waste.  So try these super-de-duper easy ways to drop your water consupmtion (watch out, I’m pulling out the big words).  Turn it off while you are brushing, shaving, shampooing.  While you are actively brushing your teeth, shaving your legs/face (though, I don’t know about you, but I’m hoping your not doing both, especially at the same time) and shampooing your hair, turn off the water flow.  Suds it up in a shower instead of a bath.  And, one not for the faint of heart, skip flushing the toilet in those middle of the night trips and flush it all at once with your morning usage.

There.  Don’t you feel so much cooler?  Greener?