Handy Dandy Drying Rack

This is a common sight in our living room. We've started to air dry our clothes. This handy dandy drying rack holds smaller items, jeans, Bella's clothes, etc. and we hang shirts on hangers and hang them on the shower rod. You could also use a retractable line like this. Or one of these beauties. By hanging our clothes to dry, I am accomplishing several things:

• Our clothes last longer when they aren't dried in a dryer. Less shrinking, fading, etc. Dryers break down elastics, distort the shape of clothing, and they eat socks! Because the clothes last longer, you don't need to buy them as often...thus saving money and time.
• Less energy consumption...the dryer is one of the worst.
• Saving money ... $1.00 a load.
• Eliminating static cling
• Cutting down on ironing
• It causes me to realize how many clothes we actually own and makes me want to downsize our wardrobe even more. It's a more purposeful experience...as I take each item, one by one, and straighten it, hang it, dry it, and take it off.

Stop using your dryer today!

The Compact

In our quest to pay off debt faster, we are thinking about joining "The Compact" beginning in October. Here is an article about the original group. And their blog. I have another friend who is doing it too...she actually is the one who got me thinking about it again. Everytime I've heard about this movement/group, it has appealed to me. I love a good challenge. Especially when it comes to consumerism/reducing/reusing/recycling. Even if we don't do it 100%...it will still create the mindfulness about spending/consuming that we so desire.

Lately, I've found myself getting so laid back about spending...and once I start that, it's really hard to stop. However, because I am such an all or nothing person, I swing easily the other way. Once we decide to do something, I will go to GREAT lengths to maintain whatever it is that we are doing. So, at this point, we are just considering it, but it sounds like a great addition to our debt reduction plan. Anyone care to be my "Compact Buddy"?

Colorful Groceries

It's so fun to go grocery shopping when you have pretty bags to bring your food home in! My counter was brimming with color today...I just couldn't help but take a photo. If you've never made the switch to cloth grocery bags...you're missing out. But don't stop at groceries! Bring them to every store!

My most recent find was cloth produce bags. Instead of using all of those flimsy plastic bags in the produce aisle, you can use these great organic bags. My favorite places to get bags: Reusable Bags Ecobags

I prefer the bags with long handles. I think they are easier to carry...you can put them over your shoulder, or tie the handles in a knot and carry them like a traditional plastic bag. These bags stretch and can hold an amazing amount of food. They won't break. Of course, you don't have to get fancy string bags. Cloth tote bags from the thrift store work perfectly fine too! There are so many bags with company logos, event logos, etc. on them...you can snatch them up at any Goodwill.

Go cloth!