Welcome to our weekly challenges ... if this is your first visit, please click HERE for information and a list of all challenges.
Last week our challenge was to go "paperless" and pay our bills electronically. So, how did it go for you? Here's an interesting fact: "In one year, by switching from paper to electronic billing, statements and payments, the average American household would save 6.6 pounds of paper." ... PayItGreen for Consumers. Now imagine how many households there are in the world. That's a lot of paper! Making the switch to online billing is another example of a small action having a huge impact.
Let's see how our Honor Society did:
Kira already pays bills online. She mentioned that paying bills reduces stress because one can schedule a payment ahead of time and not have to worry about getting it in the mailbox. Nice to have you back, Kira ... and thanks for accepting the last couple of challenges, as well. We look forward to hearing how those went for you!
Brian is paying about 80% of his bills online and would be paying 100% if he were given the option. He mentioned that paying bills online helps with budgeting because one can track payments.
Maurie Kirschner stopped in. She also pays bills online and says that it reduces the amount of "stuff" in her home. By the way, Maurie ... were you able to get the post office to stop putting mailers in your mailbox? If so, we'd love to hear about it!
Joe Todd took the challenge. He recently went to an art exhibit about "cut paper" and plans to post about it soon. Looking forward to that, Joe!
EcoGrrl pays her bills online and shared that some places even offer a discount for doing so. She also had great advice for those paper bills, or any mail, that we can't get rid of ... recycle them ... even the plastic magazine wrappers. Great advice EcoGrrl! By the way ... EcoGrrl has been a long-time, consistent participant in our challenges and I'd like to encourage all of you to drop by her site and check it out ... it is eclectic, interesting and always heart-felt.
Mrs. Green wrote an excellent article on the Pros and Cons of Paperless Billing. I was particularly interested in the "cons" because, as Mrs. Green points out, electronic billing isn't without it's problems. I hope you'll check out her interesting article.
Heather took the challenge and wrote this wonderful article: Find News Online or Swap Paper Editorials. She also said that her mother has converted to electronic billing and loves the ease, money savings and tree savings. Thanks to both you, Heather, and your mom!
Pondering4cat stopped by. Regarding a previous challenge where we sent e-greetings out, Pondering Cat offered another site: Ojolie eCards. Thanks, Pondering Cat!
Ann came by. She'll be posting her Save the World Wednesday/Think Green Thursday article soon ... this week's post will be about eating parts of the pumpkin plant ... that ought to be very interesting!
Ange dropped in and shared that, in France, some of her bills arrive through email but companies will typically also send the bill through "snail mail". While France may not be up to speed with electronic billing, they do offer direct debit. Just a reminder ... on a previous challenge Ange offered to trade French magazines for ones you might have sitting around ... well, that offer remains open so get those magazines out and contact Ange through her blog.
Great job, everyone! I've Stumbled and Tweeted your articles! If you are a member of any social networks, please pass the word about our Eco-friendly challenges!
Okay ... last week I promised to move on to something other than saving paper. This week's challenge was suggested by Marcy, from Cooking Rut, who said "I grew up with parents who were antique dealers. Most (not all, but most) of the furniture we had was purchased at auctions. Basically, we had a house full of antiques. Even sofas were purchased used. If you think about it ... buying antiques (or purchasing used furniture) is very green. You can buy lots of household items at antique stores -- glassware, dishes, old tools, hardware, old sinks/bathtubs, etc." So here's the challenge:
This week consider antique stores for household purchases. If you've never been in an antique store, visit one to see what items they offer. If you need a couch, table, tools, dishes, etc., check out an antique store before buying new.
Or ...
If you don't have an antique store in your area, don't need to buy anything this week, or find antique stores too costly, write a post about all the various resources for finding previously-owned items.
Doesn't this sound like fun? A challenge to go antiquing!
That's it for this week!
WE'RE CHANGING THE WORLD ... ONE CHALLENGE AT A TIME!
My husband and I treat ourselves to one antique a year. They're not cheap, but I would much rather have something old, with a story and purchased from one of the amazing New England shops near us, than something new made out of press-board permeated with glue and formaldehyde.
ReplyDeletein fact, it's about the time of year we shop, AND since my toddler is about to take over the office to make way for a sibling in her room I would really like a compact antique secretary desk for a nook in the hall....perhaps this weekend! :)
Thanks for the mention!
ReplyDeleteIn response to Kate's comment: Antiques are not always cheap but sometimes you can find an auction house where you'll get a better deal. Just thought I'd throw that out there...
AND antique dealers like to make deals. Just ask if there's a discount.
I love working with wood and creating things. It is amazing what you can do with scrap lumber. Anyway, about two years ago my wife purchased an antique sowing table with cast iron legs. We got it relatively cheap because it looked rough. However, with a little elbow grease and some sandpaper the cast iron found new life. A coat of iron black paint was the finishing touch. As for the table top, that was a beautiful 3/4 inch thick plank of oak! I sanded the grim and ware off of it and a few coats of stain later...brand new. She uses it now as her working desk. You can't beat an antique. Please it was great working with her on a project.
ReplyDeletea good antique store (i.e., where you can still find deals!) is a great thing. i get all my cast iron skillets (usually $25ish) at them and have found some other keepers as well. i love old wooden boxes like the ones for coca-cola. next search: a good sturdy rocker for my new deck out front!
ReplyDeleteI love this challenge, though it's something I practice constantly. Not so much antique stores, but buying used in general. I posted about it on my new blog: http://tryingforgreen.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteThanks! Kira
I still need to contact the postal service about that, make sure it works for our area. I will let you know when I find out!
ReplyDeleteI love antique stores and second hand stores and I have images floating around in my head about a post for this challenge. I'll let you know when it's up.
Kate - I hope you post pictures of that desk when you find it! I have one that was my anniversary gift one year - I keep all my stationary and such in it and it has become my pretty place.
Challenge met on Tomus. Actually, I have been meeting this challenge all my adult life. Deep pockets, short arms.
ReplyDeleteAV
Ok Here's the post. Enjoy!
ReplyDeletehttp://thisnorthwestlife.blogspot.com/2010/03/antiques-buying-used-and-change-world.html
Now this is ONE area where France excels! From April through October in villages and towns all across the country there are 'attic sales' similar to flea markets where people buy a space to sell their wares. We also rid our garage of unwanted objects and make it a day with friends, taking lunch and wine etc. I often spend the proceeds at other people's stands ;-)
ReplyDeleteI have found the most exquisite cups, linen, slightly wonky bedside tables, door handles, shoelasts...bed frames...you name it: all covered in grit and grime just needing a keen eye and some loving care to bring back the shine. Very posh people also 'do' the curbside collection and rubbish tips because it's always amazing what others throw out.
For the last 8 years even (keep saying 5 but I never grow with the years) I have worked in home decorating but only transforming pre-loved pieces. It's great fun, largely cost effective and a perfect way to regularly change your décor as you can sell your own creations when you feel the need to move along. My blog's now dedicated to calligraphy and inspiration.
BUT in honour of your post and as I still love transforming objects - I'll do a special post before next Wednesday of the types of lamps you can make with old table legs, tables you can make using thrown out wood and a metal frame etc etc.
Woo hoo - you've inspired me again.
I don't know about the US but upcycling old bits and bobs into funky new objects for the home is a way of life in France and many magazines are dedicated to 'DIY.'
Antiques don't have to be expensive - you just have to be able to recognise them and their potential from their hiding place in a dark corner ;-)
I was out of town last week but I can say that the challenge is one I've conquered for some time now, I pay all my bills online and some are even automatic.
ReplyDeleteI have been purchasing and reusing not only used furniture for years but also used cars! I recently posted some pictures of furniture I had purchased from yard sales and have been reusing by repainting as I redecorate.
I also painted my kitchen cabinets and hardware rather than replacing them.
Aine
http://theevolvingspirit.blogspot.com
You must have been thinking of me SF, as you know my blog is completely dedicated to reusing other people's throw-outs. But allow me to ask attention to my last post that tells how I found a new home for a pair of honest wooden toy trucks. I bet as we speak one little man is happily playing with them.
ReplyDeletehttp://trashcollector.blogspot.com/2010/02/toy-trucks.html
Don't forget that thrift/antique shops are not only for furniture and housewares. They're a great resource for almost anything you need so also toys, clothing, books etc.
I don't have an antique store in my area, so I've just written a post:“Onthel” Bike: Antique and Unique Bike in Indonesia. for antiquing in CCTW :-)
ReplyDeleteRegards,
harri pao
Just posted a picture of an old storm lantern that cost about 5 USD that I converted into a wee lamp for my son's room (have to reconvert now for new standards...oh well). Will post some more pictures of other transformed objects tomorrow - all bought for next to nothing and I know they cost heaps in shops. It just takes a little thinking and elbow grease.. winter evenings in front of a fire...summer days on the table outside watching the kids. Most of the lighting, curtains, bedcovers and decoration in my house has been made by transforming old, cheap finds, some even off the pavement...
ReplyDeleteWhile I don't antique, I do get all my casual clothes, and most kitchen gadgets & tools, plus the odd gewgaw that might be antique, at thrift stores. I figure the environmental costs were already paid by the 1st purchaser ... plus there's the Thrill Of The Hunt!
ReplyDeleteMy post:
Three Reasons for Thrift Stores
Finally made it today (Wed 10th) with a post dedicated to your Change the World Wednesday... Yipee, at last!!
ReplyDelete