Frugal Friday
It’s So Much Easier to Be Frugal When You Don’t Need Things
Experiences on not needing stuff and what happens to those money-saving dollar store non-recyclable plastic items when we’ve finished with them.
- Madeleine Olivia, an amazing speaker, shares her guide to minimalist living.
She’s right when she says it doesn’t mean you have to own nothing to be a minimalist. Her eloquence says everything I’d like to say and more.
My favourite few words are at 12:49.
2. Cheryl’s Frugal Corner is full of her experiences with living frugally. Her views on what it means to be frugal are as she says …
Frugal is What You Decide~Cheryl Kimbley
3. My Thrifty Frugal Home is mega popular and offers some great money-saving ideas.
Kudos to Melissa for encouraging the use of steel straws.
However, I simply cannot get behind her use of plastic storage containers.
As long as shops are legally permitted to sell non-recyclable plastic items people will buy them.
I also have a huge problem with the use of dollar store plastic items.
How many are recyclable?
I haven’t done a survey but I’ve got a pretty good idea based on the pound saver shops in the UK.
Dollar stores are another example of corporations wanting your cash.
Protecting the Environment
We must comply with all environmental laws and regulations applicable to our Company and the products we sell. Each of us must report improper handling or disposal of regulated materials or hazardous wastes by Dollar General personnel. We must also report any activity by Dollar General employees that may violate environmental laws. Contact the Law Department to make a report or if you have questions about this policy.~Dollar General Code of Conduct PDF p.16
They may say they are protecting the environment. But their words are only as good as the law of the land. If the President doesn’t believe there are environmental problems, it’s all smoke and mirrors.
Consider your impact on the planet.
These days, we’re a lot more aware of the impact on the planet and of the constant big business need to make bigger profits every year. The majority don’t care an iota about the planet, they just want your money.
If you’re happy lining the pockets of faceless corporations, fill your boots. Frugality may not be for you.
However, if you are interested in doing as much as you can to stop plastic pollution, read on.
How long does it take for plastics to biodegrade?
A lot of plastic ends up in landfill and is not broken down by bacteria. For example, a plastic ketchup up bottle is not biodegradable.
It is photodegradable though. Great!
No it’s not.
You’ve heard of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, haven’t you?
Basically, plastics in oceans can be broken down by sunlight into small parts in a year.
What happens to photodegraded plastic?
- Fish open their mouths and the plastic paricles enter their digestive system.
- Fishermen catch the fish.
- We buy the fish and eat our plastic.
- We reap what we sow.
One solution to this environmental disaster is biodegradable plastic. There are two types currently on the market — plant-based hydro-biodegradable plastic and petroleum-based oxo-biodegradable plastic.~William Harris. www.science.howstuffworks.com
While we are waiting for a suitable biodegradable plastic, this is what’s happening to waste plastic.
In the meantime, we can buy ketchup in glass bottles, loose fruit and vegetables, visit local butchers, fish and cheese mongers, and recycle.
In my opinion, going minimalist, is a fine start to making money by selling all the stuff you don’t need. I’ve done it, It feels good.
Being frugal and considering the impact of what you buy on your pocket and the earth is a logical next step.
I think this lady hits the nail on the head where frugality is concerned.
Frugal is What You Decide~Cheryl Kimbley
Reducing waste to save the planet. You can find more information in points 6 and 7 of this article by the World Wildlife Fund.
Life’s a lot simpler when you choose not to want or need things. It frees you up to enjoy other things.
Thanks for reading.
