why is it necessary?

I have embarked on a journey of doing without! It is time I take my mom's long taught advice and ask myself, "Do I NEED this or do I just want it?"

Back in April 2010 I was given the opportunity to cancel my cell phone contract with T-Mobile. They were very kind and it was a simple process once they explained I was not living in a covered area. So, now what? The country has been pulling away from the home phone and texting is all the rage. But the $100+ bill a month, was it worth it? Was it necessary to have a cell phone? Maybe it is smart to have a cell phone, but to what extent? So, we stepped out of the 21st century and hooked up a basic home phone costing only $33 a month. I also picked up a prepaid plan with Net 10 that costs me $20 a month... So I am already smiling at my saving!

Then in May I ran out of paper towels. I had heard of a few friends that had decided to go without these kitchen staples and started using towels and cloth napkins. If they could do this, why couldn't I? A few little towels a week won't add too much to the laundry! So the challenge was on. My husband has continued to insist we had a package of paper napkins when guest come over, but I am working on that!

So my endevour to get rid of things comtinued into June when I called my internet provider and lowered my monthly bill from their highest speed to their lowest, saving $15 a month (which adds up!!) I realized the "really slow" internet service was only really slow when I download videos. So I start the download and go find something else to do, like dishes, while it is downloading... It is a NECESSARY lesson in patience!

And then came July. I was running out of ideas when one came to me. As I put a plate in the microwave to warm it up, it stopped working. Easy fix? Just a fuse? Or so we were hoping. But it still sits in the garage on the work bench waiting to be tinkered with. So I have decided no more microwave! The gas stove heats the liquids and the oven heats the rest! Thankfully I have a big and a small oven to work with. But I have cleared a shelf in my pantry and I no longer worry about the radioactive waves flying through my food as I stand and watch with my eyes glued to the spinning tray...

Now August is upon us and I have declared a challenge for myself. So far, the things we have gotten rid of have come to me without much thought on my part. But I can do more! I can get rid of these things around me that aren't necessary for my life to go on. I can save money and I can be more deliberate about how I live every day!
So my challenge is to find something to change, something to get rid of in my household each month for the next year.

What's first? Garbage!! This morning, July 26th, 2010, I called my trash service and cancelled my service. The biggest challenge in this is my diaper wearing 2 year old, but potty training and possibly cloth diapers are in the works. We have found a company in Oklahoma City, 'Greenstar', that provides free recycling to individuals. They take paper, plastic, metal and glass. This idea came from an article I read about a family that went an entire year without trash. They composted, recycled and in the end, had a 4 pound box of trash. They even moved in this time frame and had no trash!! What was their secret? Only buying products that are packaged in recyclable materials. Being conscious of what we are buying, eating, consuming!
If they can do it, so can I!!

Now I have a month to come up with the next one... any ideas?


Check out greenstar. Are they in your area? http://www.greenstar-na.com
If not check out a place that is at http://earth911.com

Or if you want to read the story of the family that went without trash for a year
http://news.yahoo.com/video/portlandorkgw-15751112/couple-s-experiment-trash-free-for-a-year-20840219