I added a couple of new links to my blogroll, and I want to highlight one blog in particular.
Fix: http://fixproject.squarespace.com/
Fix chronicles artist Megan Metcalf’s one-year experiment in non-consumption.
As she explains:
Disgusted and alarmed by the proximity of unlimited shopping and unlimited garbage in Manhattan, as well as the disposable mentality I live and work in – “just throw it out and get a new one” – I’ve decided to make a little experiment in non-consumption. Now, I already live a pretty marginal existence as far as materiality is concerned: I’d like to see what happens if I make the commitment to reducing my participation in the buying cycle to zero this year.
You can read more about the impetus for Fix here: http://fixproject.squarespace.com/fix-background/
She has 4 rules:
1. I’m not buying new manufactured consumer goods in 2007.
2. I’m not buying food from restaurants in 2007.
3. I will allow myself to buy coffee and drinks, which I could easily make at home.
4. I’d like to take better advantage of the free and community-based resources available in New York City.
More detail on the rules can be found here: http://fixproject.squarespace.com/the-rules/
And she catalogs her “transgressions”: http://fixproject.squarespace.com/transgressions/
I find this experiment inspiring. (And the blog’s minimalist design is soothing and easy to read.) I too aspire to live a less consumptive lifestyle, not only for my pocketbook but for environmental reasons as well. But can I make such a sweeping commitment? Do I need to? I see the power in putting a plan in writing and documenting one’s progress (privately or publicly). Is it enough to try to do the best I can day to day? For now, it’s enough. But I can’t say enough about how much it helps to be able to draw motivation and ideas from blogs like Megan’s.
April 25, 2007
From the CNRG-Portland newsletter:
Are you having a hard time finding a landlord to approve your application for housing?
Have you had trouble getting your landlord to make repairs?
Didn’t get your deposit back?
Come learn about your rights as a renter!
There will be a free workshop for tenants at the Beaverton City Library’s conference room on Saturday, April 28, from 1:30-2:30.
Contact Ari at 503.460.9702 or ari@oregoncat.org with questions or for more info.
The Community Alliance of Tenants is Oregon’s only grassroots, tenant-controlled renters’ rights organzation. If you’re a tenant who cares about your rights, get involved!
www.oregoncat.org
April 24, 2007
Tuesday, April 17th, is Ben & Jerry’s Annual Free Cone Day.
Get a free scoop anytime from 12pm until 8pm at participating Ben & Jerry’s scoop shops around the world.
Find a participating scoop shop here: http://www.benjerry.com/scoop_shops/
Now how about some sun to go along with that free scoop, Portland?
April 17, 2007
Recently I celebrated my birthday. Usually, I like to celebrate at a nice restaurant, the kind with cloth napkins, a wine list, and a menu with words like coulis or pan-seared written in a pleasing font.
But this year, I said to my husband, “Let’s go to Todai!”
Todai is a seafood buffet chain with a merchandise table and a mascot. No cloth napkins or coulis—but on your birthday, your meal is free.
And I must say, it was really fun.
I stuffed myself with sushi, sashimi and crab, as well as half a dozen other things. I had spider hand rolls, which you need to request at the sushi counter, and they were stuffed with crab and avocado and the nori was crispy. I had cheesecake and a root beer float. My gluttonous side was very happy, and my frugal side even happier.
You can find other eateries that offer birthday deals in your area by going to this website:
http://www.onbirthday.com/home.do
If anyone else knows of a good deal, please share!
April 12, 2007
From the CNRG-Portland mailing list:
Free Workshop for Homeowners and Homebuyers
Are you thinking about refinancing? Do you want to use your equity?
Have you ever missed a mortgage payment?
Please join us to learn how to avoid refinancing scams, recognize
predatory lenders and to prevent foreclosure
Wednesday, April 25th, 6pm-8pm
New Columbia Community Education Center
4610 N Trenton St.
Presented by Fernando Velez, Oregon Dept. of Consumer & Business Services, and Kevin Gillette from the Home Ownership Center (Vancouver, WA)
To register, contact Jen Matheson at 503-265-6507 or jen@211info.org
Workshop offered through partnership of Portland Community College
COPC/HUD, HousingConnections.org, Housing Authority of Portland, Oregon
State Consumer & Business Services and the Home Ownership Center
April 10, 2007
A couple of days ago, I saw a news report on how UPS saves time, money and gas by avoiding left turns.
The company knows that left turns take more time and fuel than right turns, due to waiting at stop lights. And time + gas = money.
According to the report, “UPS trucks drove 2.5 billion miles last year, but the company says its package flow technology combined with right-turn routes saved 28,541,472 million miles, and three million gallons of fuel.”
The UPS story affirms some of my tips for saving time and money on driving trips:
- Plan trips in advance. When you need to run out to the store, think about what else you can do while you’re out.
- Clump destinations by area. Do everything you can in a specific area, then move on to another area. Avoid going back and forth.
- Stick to one side of the street and hit destinations in order from closest to farthest. Look at all those right turns you’d make.
- If you have a choice, choose a destination that’s on the side of the street that you’re already on. For example, if you need a cup of coffee, do you have to go to the Starbucks across the street, or is there another one on your side of the street? Chances are there is!
You can read the full report on UPS at the ABC News website: http://www.abcnews.go.com/WNT/story?id=3005890&page=1
April 4, 2007
