tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post3056929047545687072..comments2024-03-26T10:01:18.135-04:00Comments on Living the Frugal Life: April Action Item: Go Paper-lessKatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18017959421018964001noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-6891565211100721562009-04-21T21:15:00.000-04:002009-04-21T21:15:00.000-04:00You can almost eliminate toilet paper use with a h...You can almost eliminate toilet paper use with a hand bathroom bidet sprayer. We're talking clean, green and mean.Jeff9https://www.blogger.com/profile/16394036865084463286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-88849646158512886752009-04-21T21:02:00.000-04:002009-04-21T21:02:00.000-04:00Maybe those who aren't ready to switch to cloth to...Maybe those who aren't ready to switch to cloth toilet wipes (including myself) could aim to reduce the amount of toilet paper that they use. How much of it do you actually need, and how much do you use just because of the 'ick' factor?<br /><br />After all, no matter how much or how little you use, you wash your hands straight afterward.Carlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16116368908095136183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-30901730906095313492009-04-20T00:16:00.000-04:002009-04-20T00:16:00.000-04:00I have to get paper bags at least once a month. We...I have to get paper bags at least once a month. We line our trash bags with them for when things leak and we use them for the cats' mess when we clean the litter box.EmberRosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05591040345013470729noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-24131157160104749592009-04-17T22:02:00.000-04:002009-04-17T22:02:00.000-04:00I definitely agree with reusing scrap paper. I kee...I definitely agree with reusing scrap paper. I keep a folder of A4 pages (with only one side used) next to our printer, so whenever I need to print something that won't be given to anyone else, it's close at hand.<br /><br />Eventually, I expect that more people will make the switch to double-sided printing, which will make this useful only for those hardy souls willing to print on the same page twice. But until then, I only have to use fresh printer paper for important documents, like university assignments.Carlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16116368908095136183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-28809715040892813032009-04-10T12:16:00.000-04:002009-04-10T12:16:00.000-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Jeff9https://www.blogger.com/profile/16394036865084463286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-30787526477814816252009-04-08T23:26:00.000-04:002009-04-08T23:26:00.000-04:00Great suggestions. I made the conversion to paper...Great suggestions. I made the conversion to paper towels but I admit I am a perpetrator in other ways. Thanks for some excellent reminders/suggestions of how to reduce paper waste!Saver Queenhttp://saverqueen.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-61301904871338993872009-04-08T09:26:00.000-04:002009-04-08T09:26:00.000-04:00Some excellent suggestions here in the comments se...Some excellent suggestions here in the comments section. <BR/><BR/>S, I think littleecofootprints' suggestion about the extra plate is a good one. From a frugality perspective, you could also substitute pages from an old phone book for a paper towel to avoid splatters in the microwave. It's still using paper, but it's paper that would otherwise just be recycled at best.<BR/><BR/>Anon1, that is an *excellent* point about those who have used cloth diapers. Thank you for making it. I haven't used any sort of diaper since I have no kids. But this does put the cloth wipes into a different perspective.<BR/><BR/>Anon2, you are absolutely right. I am seriously dragging my heels on the sewing competency project. It's just not something I want to tackle. But I will keep my eyes open for old sheets (preferably flannel) at a thrift shop, or wherever. That would be ideal I suppose. I suspect bed linens might be hard to come by though, since they're not things that many people would want to buy used. Particularly with the bedbug resurgence. I'll see what I can find.<BR/><BR/>FR, right there with you on reusing paper products and other "garbage" for gardening purposes. It's becoming something of a specialty of mine.Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18017959421018964001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-92091094912293668522009-04-07T10:55:00.000-04:002009-04-07T10:55:00.000-04:00I save my paper coffee cups and pint size ice crea...I save my paper coffee cups and pint size ice cream containers for seedlings.<BR/><BR/>Maybe for one of your advanced/ alternative actions you could use "Start Your Own Seedlings." Except in the fortunate cases of having access to a local plant sale or organic green house, it is a major energy saver in terms of transport and makes the connection to self sufficiency and understanding our food sources stronger still.future referencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15007773426644286949noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-13356314827330127252009-04-06T11:18:00.000-04:002009-04-06T11:18:00.000-04:00Now Kate,Here was your opportunity for sewing comp...Now Kate,<BR/><BR/>Here was your opportunity for sewing competency. How about whipping up some cloth napkins? Take a scrap & either fold over edges 2x or zig-zag or use a straight stitch and then pink. If you can't do mitered corners - and they take practice - well just don't put them out for company. Don't want to sound too sanctimonious. I use both paper plates & paper towels at times. Altho sometimes I substitute thin paper bags for the paper towels depending on use. For instance, wiping grease out of a cast iron skillet. I also use rags & cloth napkins. But I use paper too because I find that when I have to pick up pet hair I just can't the hair out of cloths after I've washed them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-87854323400532978172009-04-06T05:28:00.000-04:002009-04-06T05:28:00.000-04:00As for cloth toilet wipes. . . I don't see why any...As for cloth toilet wipes. . . I don't see why anyone who has ever cloth diapered would have a problem with this. As for others, why not try?! I currently live in the Middle East and most public restrooms (except in large malls that cater to Westerners) do NOT have toilet paper. They use a hose/sprayer next to the toilet--now that takes some getting used to! Paper towel is sometimes available to dry off with, but not usually. I have taken to keeping wet wipes with me whenever we travel :) But that too contributes to the landfill mess. Cloth wipes sound like a great idea. . . I might not be able to convince my husband, but if I get my small children hooked on them, they will be one generation that doesn't need to overcome the icky factor! If you're really worried about "germs" after washing, why not use a hot steam iron on them? Better yet, hang out to dry in the sun and let the UV do its trick :)<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the great post(s)! I find myself coming back to read your blog again and again. I've found so many wonderful ideas and much useful information! Keep it up!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-52990042553860869782009-04-05T06:59:00.000-04:002009-04-05T06:59:00.000-04:00Let's see, we already do not get a newspaper, opti...Let's see, we already do not get a newspaper, opting instead for radio (NPR) and some internet and tv news sources. I only get a couple magazines, which I do use and which are not wholly conventional and consequently not carried by my library. We don't use napkins much of any kind, but I want to switch to cloth. I'm thinking it will be a good first sewing project for me. I actually had decided before reading this that reducing my paper towel usage was going to be my next big project. I went out and bought a big pack of bar towels so that I have plenty available and therefore remove my primary excuse. We don't get much junk mail at all, as we have put ourselves on the "do not mail/call" lists. The number of times a year we use disposable plates/cups I can count on 1 hand and usually because we are feeding more people than I have dishes for. I need to budget for the diva cup. I do use note paper quite a bit so I need to work on that, but I do mostly use my phone for grocery lists and such which has cut down my use of paper significantly. And finally, I have loads of reusable bags that I keep on my person or in our cars at all times. <BR/><BR/>Thanks for this great challenge!Lily Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01566952862327365978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-85911707761571403062009-04-04T19:44:00.000-04:002009-04-04T19:44:00.000-04:00We were doing great. We had our garbage down to h...We were doing great. We had our garbage down to half a tall kitchen bag per week for our family of five. I use cloth and a Diva cup for my "time of the month." We use cloth napkins and real plates. We unsubscribed from the half a million catalogs we were getting, and as our shopping slowed, so did the slew of new publications to cross our threshold. Junk mail is down to one or two pieces a day from half a box full. Our one compromise is disposable TP, but it's 100% recycled paper.<BR/><BR/>Then, my oldest daughter, her husband and their one year old daughter moved in, and they're not "clothies" for anything :). <BR/><BR/>I think our challenge for this month will be to try to encourage my daughter and her family to accept at least one of the paperless challenges.Wendyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04642417312794814066noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-49858127673329685642009-04-04T19:21:00.000-04:002009-04-04T19:21:00.000-04:00Some great suggestions there. i already do - or am...Some great suggestions there. i already do - or am in the process if switching to all (except the cloth toilet wipes ;-). We use cloth nappies/diapers and I cannot believe what a waste of money disposables are. <BR/><BR/>S: I just put a plate over bowls/containers when microwaving. I do this also to cover food in the fridge as an alternative to plastic wrap.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-90435933084714691102009-04-04T08:51:00.000-04:002009-04-04T08:51:00.000-04:00i am looking for suggestions on how to cover food ...i am looking for suggestions on how to cover food in the microwave. I don't want to use a plastic cover and was using paper towels.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12507140563389991408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-1377429295043860572009-04-03T19:02:00.000-04:002009-04-03T19:02:00.000-04:00I have to admit, I haven't been taking you up on a...I have to admit, I haven't been taking you up on all of your challenges. Jan: all our bulbs are CFLs already and we're moving soon, so didn't want to do the pipe insulation. Feb: I'm all the way up to making my own bread; want to learn how to make cheese, but not sure how useful it would be to us yet. March: Hardly spend anything on entertainment (basic cable only adds $5 to our internet bill, which we need to have for work). <BR/><BR/>But this month has some things that I can do, but am loathe to. I just don't know if I can give up my newspaper subscription. I love reading the paper everyday, and online just isn't the same thing. You're right about the magazine subscriptions - I only get a few (get the rest of those that I'm interested in from the library), but they should go. Don't use paper napkins, paper towels, paper plates, paper cups, sanitary products, real note pads, paper or plastic shopping bags. The junk mail that I get is used for scratch paper, and then recycled, but it would be interesting to see if I could get it reduced a bit.<BR/><BR/>As for the cloth toilet wipes...I don't think so. I've read about it before, but I just don't think I'm ready for it.<BR/><BR/>So thanks for all your suggestions! It makes me feel good to know that other people are on the same wavelength as me, and challenges me to do even more.Clairehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03147193417638120470noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-17612502378569446032009-04-03T18:30:00.000-04:002009-04-03T18:30:00.000-04:00Right up my alley. We do all cloth, no paper or d...Right up my alley. We do all cloth, no paper or disposable anything. Well, we're in the same boat as you for the cloth toilet wipes. Still not sure I want to commit to that. <BR/><BR/>Even though this is something we already do, it's great to read other's doing it too and be encouraged!<BR/><BR/>ThanksAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7237633934633144064.post-36260521163076363122009-04-03T16:52:00.000-04:002009-04-03T16:52:00.000-04:00go diva's!go diva's!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com