Blog Action Day: Conserve money and resources without spending a dime!

by: rossl

Thu Oct 15, 2009 at 13:04:29 PM PDT

I posted this last April, but there's no reason why it isn't still useful.  I decided to re-post it because of Blog Action Day today (the topic is climate change).  The last few items on the list are either new or were added due to suggestions from the first time I posted it.  I'll be taking suggestions and adding to the diary as them come in.

I've got an investment opportunity for you.  It doesn't involve a Nigerian prince, a billionaire investor, or any kind of mortgages.  It is not the kind of thing that will cause another financial crisis - in fact, it could help solve multiple crises that we as a nation are facing.

Whether you've been laid off or you're doing fine and just care about the environment, I've got some answers for your problems.  In this diary, I'll try to compile a list of things you can do to save money and conserve our resources without spending any money.  If you have any good ideas in the comments, I'll be sure to update my diary as they come - this is a collaborative effort because this community knows more than any individual.

So join me below the fold to find out how you can save money and save the environment!

Energy and Food Independence

by: Jill Richardson

Thu Jul 02, 2009 at 08:39:56 AM PDT

It seems fitting that the same week we celebrate the independence of our Nation, the House passed historic climate change legislation. In theory, this bill should bring us closer to the goals of oil independence and freedom from the disastrous future of a warming, melting planet. If America is to prosper in the 21st century, then we must take immediate action to reduce our role in causing the climate crisis. And yet, the bill left those of us who care about our shared environment shaking our heads. Is the Waxman-Markey bill is even slightly better for the planet than the status quo, or will it pave the way to increased, legalized pollution? Perhaps the most tragic part of the bill was the compromise with agribusiness interests that was required to secure its passage through the Agriculture committee.

Your victory garden and your local farmer can change the world

by: MinistryOfTruth

Fri Jun 05, 2009 at 16:05:27 PM PDT

    Economically speaking, this also means that you are what you consume.

   Since consumer spending makes up over 70% of our national economy, logic dictates that the smarter, healthier and more sustainable our purchasing is as individuals, the more sustainable and strong our national economy will become.

   The simple ripples in the water can have drastic effects, in the long run.

    So, here's what we do.

   If Americans ate less meat, less fast food and manufactured food and instead ate more locally grown fruits and vegetables, as well as whatever food you can grow yourself, we could bring about the change we need without having to wait for anyone to take the lead.

   Simple changes to your daily diet, even if done in moderation, combined with enough people doing the same thing can literally change the world.

   If Americans bought half of their fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, poultry and dairy products from local providers, we could

1.      Directly effect the energy crisis. The less a food travels the better it is. Oil that profits America's enemies (terrorist supporting/financing nations, the Bush family, the Cheney family, etc) would not be in such high demand, which would lower the price and decrease the amount of damage being inflicted on our fragile ecosystem.

2.     Supporting your local economy means a stronger and more secure future for America. Factory farmed foods often lack the nutritional value that other foods have because of pesticides used on them, as well as the GMO's and other unnatural methods used to farm these foods in a way that is most profitable. Not only does this profit come at the cost of safety, the money these corporations make go towards the status quo that keeps America unhealthy, poor and in the dark about issues that directly affect our health.

3.     Preventable health issues can be avoided through proper diet. If you eat an apple instead of a McMuffin your body will thank you for it, and so will your local farmers, your doctor, the environment in which we live and anybody who may be attracted to you.

   These are just a few good reasons. There are plenty of reasons to eat less meat, prepackaged foods and GM foods. It is good for your body, for our local and national economies, it is energy efficient, socially conscientious and best of all, it is easy. If America can't sit on it's fat, lazy butt and stuff our faces to save the world, what will we be willing to do?

   I say this with love, of course.

   Seriously, though, it is so easy a caveman could do it. I know, because the cavemen founded the first agrarian economies.  

   Everything that you consume that is locally grown is one less gallon of oil our nation must buy from un-democratic, terrorist supporting regimes. Every time you eat at home instead of at a Corporate owned fast food location there is one less dollar that would have gone to supporting wasteful and unsafe factory farms, frankenfoods and the parasitic corporations that thrive with them. Every time you buy locally you keep another job in America, and every time you grow your own food you reap the reward of bringing a living thing into this world.

   I am not a vegetarian, but I try to do my part. I only hope that others may do the same.

   Next week we will diary, grow your own pot and help save the world.

   At the end of the day, much of the change our world needs is something we can do ourselves.

   So, get your forks, your re-usable shopping bags and your gardening clothes, and let's change the world.

   Isn't this how progress happens? One step at a time.

The investment of a lifetime - $0 down and thousands in return!

by: rossl

Thu Apr 09, 2009 at 12:38:03 PM PDT

Whether you've been laid off or you're doing fine and just care about the environment, I've got some answers for your problems.  In this diary, I'll try to compile a list of things you can do to save money and conserve our resources without spending any money.  If you have any good ideas in the comments, I'll be sure to update my diary as they come - this is a collaborative effort because this community knows more than any individual.

So join me below the fold to find out how you can save money and save the environment!

Obama is good, but-------

by: jgoodman

Mon Oct 27, 2008 at 18:00:00 PM PDT

Candidates are seldom pressed for answers or details on their promises. A couple of examples, Obama promises health care for everyone,  close to 50 million Americans without health insurance, and folks like me, I have insurance, but a $10,000 deductible doesn't really make for much of an insurance policy, will my coverage will be the same as his ?

Big Truck = Compensating For Something?

by: OrangeClouds115

Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 12:00:27 PM PDT

But then I came up with a good one: "My big truck compensates for my TINY PENIS." Perfect! Of course - it'd be a waste of my own money to print these stickers which would inevitably get torn off and thrown away quickly by the drivers of the Hummers I'd put them on.

How about a YouTube video instead? We could have guys talking about how for years they tried devices they ordered off the internet, herbal treatments, Chinese medicine... show a guy with a penis growth chart on his wall measuring about 3"... and have the guys (wimpy looking guys) talk about how they finally solved their problem by buying their F-150 or their Expedition. Who needs a V-8 in bed when you've got one on the road?

Another idea is to have cute women watching cars go by and commenting on the men driving them... "Ohhh Prius! He must be well equipped!"

I can't make or watch video - does anyone else want to take this idea and run with it?