Our Frugal Lifestyle

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Passionate about eco-frugality. I used to party hard, clubbing my way from pay-packet to pay-packet. Never getting ahead, just getting by. Then came our much wanted baby with no savings in the bank - only an old car. Changes were made to our lifestyle and we didn't turn back. In the past 6yrs we purchased a flat, found employment, lived below our means, built an emergency fund, purchased a reliable car and saw the financial benefits of our frugal lifestyle. Our only debt is our mortgage. Our aim is to manage our cash flow wisely, pay off our home quickly and eventually work for pleasure, not necessity. Join us on our journey, share insights, tips and tricks to help us and others to get ahead while having a good time.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Do You Give Peel?

Everyday I see people throw good looking peels and scraps at work. I thought what a waste of such great organic material! Its all going into landfill and releasing methane into the atmosphere!!!

Then I had a lightbulb moment. I went out and purchased a lidded box, wrote a message, stuck it on and placed it near the office lunchroom rubbish bin.
Office Lunch Scrap Bin
It has been a hit, including a nice little post it note telling me what a great idea it was. I have been taking a box full of lovely fruit and veggie peels to the compost bins at the Botanical Gardens Community Garden Plots every second day. The rubbish is now being turned into composted soil full of lovely rich nutrients. It's cheap and it's good for my planet and that makes me one happy girl indeed.

My Message To The Peelers and Scrapers.
Have you taken any "new" little eco-frugal steps lately?

5 comments:

  1. Well interesting I have been watching a TV show called Holiday Hijack in the U.K. A family go away on a 5 star holiday then are 'hijacked' by a local family and shown how they live.

    It usually results in an initial period of shock and readjustment before most of the families go on to have the 'holiday' of a lifetime. (this is a guilty pleasure of mine: armchair travel-any wildlife or travel programme and I'm hooked)

    One of the best episodes was in The Maldives, amazingly they have made a landfill island. It's terrible but how they solve the problem of all the plastics that are thrown away.

    It got me thinking about how I will not throw plastics away so carelessly again, certainly not outside of Europe where recycling doesn't exist.
    I still have alot to learn on the issue I know but it's a start.

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  2. My eco-frugal step for the same thing in my home was to use a Folger's plastic coffee container so new did not have to be purchased. However, I understand this needs to look nice to be accepted. If you take an ice pick or something sharp and put a few small holes in your container, your compost will last better.Pin holes will do. Of course, you have to use something larger than a pin to make the holes. Bugs cannot get in and odor does not emanate from the container.Mine sat right beside the sink. If for some reason this does not get emptied soon enough and the lid is on, anaerobic decomposition starts and stinks to high heaven. The tiny bit of air does wonders for aerobic decomposition, what you want. I am glad your fellow employees went along with the idea. If you introduce one idea at a time along with a similar request, you will have them all eco and green and frugal before you know it. Congratulations.

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  3. Fairy from Organised CastleAugust 24, 2011 at 2:00 PM

    Well done! I find that despite all of the best efforts at home, sometimes when you get to work it is just too difficult.

    I always take my own lunch to work but the fruit peels do end up in the rubbish. You have inspired me to put the peels in my lunchbox and bring them home to the compost.

    I work in a 'green' building and part of the manifesto is that there are recycling and waste bins side-by side in the kitchen area.

    I try to do everything i can to be green at work but it can be difficult, especially when those around you are not committed or even openly hostile to any environmental initiatives.

    Best wishes with your efforts. You are an inspiration.

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  4. That's a great idea!

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  5. Hi Ms. Frugal,

    This comment is nothing to do with this post, but I saw a website and thought of you: http://www.learnvest.com/

    Cheers,
    Ms. Dig.

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Thanks for commenting - I love getting feedback, sharing experiences and learning from you.