A miser's green?
I'm just curious, whether it is possible to define a list of steps that would help the average person of below average income to become more "Green"? It's somewhat of a tricky subject in the abstract - is a person poor on money or poor in time? Most of my "solutions" would suggest people take more time and spend less money, which is counter to common perception of poverty. Anyway, if this thought is hopeless we're all in trouble because whatever failings poor people have, ultimately we all have when things get harder.
Simplest things are like:
(1) Use fluorescent light bulbs - In their lifetime they reduce electricity costs far more than an increase in purchase price, although I worry about proper disposal.
(2) Have one less car in your household and be able to commute by bus, carpool, or bike on most days.
(3) Pay off credit card debt - the less money you have going towards debt interest, the more money you have to in the long run.
(4) If your house has a spare bedroom, consider renting it out to someone. Housing is very expensive, so even a "break even" renter is helping your community, helping a person live more cheaply to go to school, or pay down their debt.
(5) Start a vegetable garden, and compost bin. They go together, gives free veggies a few months of the year, and reduces need for putting food waste in trash.
(6) Eat less meat, less red meat, and cook your own meat, full chickens, etc.
(7) Quit your garbage service is possible, compost and recycle all you can, and bring your trash quarterly to a dump directly (and recycling centers). It is amazing how much you can reduce your garbage with small changes.
Bigger steps:
(1) Live in a community where you and your kids can walk or bike places for short trips.
(2) Invest money to reduce your home heating costs (In cold winter Minnesota) - insulation, newer efficient furnace, windows, etc.
(3) Get rid of old inefficient appliances, like second refridgerators/freezer. When buying new appliances, invest in the highest efficiency models.
(4) Invest in renewable energy program, like Xcel Windsource, pay a little more for electricity and encourage wind power.
(5) Invest in heat pumps, or passive solar heating, PV, or wind?
Overall I always see debt reduction and good budgeting as the top message. Debt should be used as an investment in reducing future costs.
Time is still the biggest question. I have no general solutions, but a life of too much rush means no time to think about what you're doing, or plan what you want to do.
Ideally going green and better living together, but in the short term I guess there'll always be trade offs.
Simplest things are like:
(1) Use fluorescent light bulbs - In their lifetime they reduce electricity costs far more than an increase in purchase price, although I worry about proper disposal.
(2) Have one less car in your household and be able to commute by bus, carpool, or bike on most days.
(3) Pay off credit card debt - the less money you have going towards debt interest, the more money you have to in the long run.
(4) If your house has a spare bedroom, consider renting it out to someone. Housing is very expensive, so even a "break even" renter is helping your community, helping a person live more cheaply to go to school, or pay down their debt.
(5) Start a vegetable garden, and compost bin. They go together, gives free veggies a few months of the year, and reduces need for putting food waste in trash.
(6) Eat less meat, less red meat, and cook your own meat, full chickens, etc.
(7) Quit your garbage service is possible, compost and recycle all you can, and bring your trash quarterly to a dump directly (and recycling centers). It is amazing how much you can reduce your garbage with small changes.
Bigger steps:
(1) Live in a community where you and your kids can walk or bike places for short trips.
(2) Invest money to reduce your home heating costs (In cold winter Minnesota) - insulation, newer efficient furnace, windows, etc.
(3) Get rid of old inefficient appliances, like second refridgerators/freezer. When buying new appliances, invest in the highest efficiency models.
(4) Invest in renewable energy program, like Xcel Windsource, pay a little more for electricity and encourage wind power.
(5) Invest in heat pumps, or passive solar heating, PV, or wind?
Overall I always see debt reduction and good budgeting as the top message. Debt should be used as an investment in reducing future costs.
Time is still the biggest question. I have no general solutions, but a life of too much rush means no time to think about what you're doing, or plan what you want to do.
Ideally going green and better living together, but in the short term I guess there'll always be trade offs.
posted by Ares Olympus at 3:08 PM
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