Sleeping naked is green

I recently read a new book about one woman’s attempt to greenify her life by making one green change every day for a year. (greenify isn’t an official word, but it’s quite fun and I rather enjoy made up words; automagically is a personal fave.)

Vanessa Farquharson made one green change each day and blogged about it on Green as a Thistle. Along the way, she also wrote a narrative about her greenification: Sleeping Naked is Green.     

‘Sleeping naked’ is wonderfully entertaining. Vanessa’s writing is laugh-out-loud funny, fun and candid.    

At the top of each chapter is a list of Vanessa’s changes for the month. Some of the changes are dramatic like unplugging her fridge and selling her car, while others are rather silly – like using shorthand to reduce paper use, or writing poetry in haiku form to save words.

While reading the book, I noticed the green changes that were both green and frugal. Since this blog is about frugality, I thought I’d list a few:

• No more bottled water
• Forgo electronic gym equipment (and gyms)
• Cancel cable
• Use natural cleaners – baking soda, vinegar, and the like
• Sign up for Freecycle
• Turn down thermostat and don’t use AC
• Use air-dry function on the dishwasher
• Use less water
• Give up chewing gum (I’m not a big fan of this one)
• Shut down computer at end of day
• Air dry your clothes
• No more canned or bottled beverages
• Fix things rather than replace them
• Use cold water for laundry
• Buy things used 
• Wear clothes twice before washing
• Borrow and share before buying
• Drive the speed limit with properly inflated tires
• Learn to sew and mend clothes
• Make your own cosmetics and beauty products

All of these changes are green and wonderfully frugal; a perfect duo. Like my friends peanut butter and jelly.

Have you made changes that are green and frugal? Share your wisdom in a comment.

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