Thursday, January 10, 2013

Guest Post: 10 Steps to a More Sustainable Life


I'm excited to share with you today a wonderful guest post written by Kailyn at A New (England) Life. Enjoy! 

 If you would like to be considered a guest poster on Reviving Homemaking, click the tab at the top of the page labeled "Guest Post" for more information. 

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10 Steps to a More Sustainable Life


     Becoming more sustainable allows you to save money, protect our natural resources, and keep you family healthy (It’s a win, win, win!).  Here are 10 easy steps that can get you started on a path towards sustainability.

1.  Start a garden
You can start out small with potted herbs on a window sill or tomatoes in a larger container on the back step.  This way you’ll know exactly what you put on your plants and on your table.

2.  Buy used
 When you buy used you are buying items that would otherwise end up sitting in a landfill.  You are reducing your impact on the environment and reducing your dependence on new products and saves you a lot of money.

3.  Get out of debt
Owing someone (the credit card companies) something is never fun.  It ties you to that company and makes it difficult to really be on your own.  Try to get out of debt and stay out of debt, saving up for bigger purchases and re-evaluating what you really need.

4.  Learn to sew / knit / crochet
 Being able to make and or repair your own clothes is super handy.  You won't have to pay someone to do it for you and you can even use it to earn money, home businesses area a great way to work on your own terms.

5.  Line dry your clothes
One less appliance running means a lower electric bill and that is always a good thing.  Also, line drying your clothes gives them that warm, sunshiney smell that doesn't hold a candle to dryer sheets.

6.  Explore alternative energy 
Currently, my husband and I are heating our home with a wood stove.  While i love the sound of a wood fire crackling I loved it even more when I heard how much our friends were paying for heating oil.  Its great to know that as long as we are responsibly harvesting our firewood, we will always have a warm house.  

7.  Learn to "put up" fruits and vegetables
Learning to can, dehydrate or freeze fruits and vegetables while they are in season is fun and inexpensive.  When you are preserving your own foods, you know what you are putting in it (and what you are leaving out)which is a great way to keep your family full of healthy meals. 

8.  Ride a bike
Bikes are people powered and cars are not.  Biking is a great form of exercise and lets you cut down on the amount of gas you are using / having to pay for.  

9.  Use public transportation
If biking isn't for you (or even if it is) use public transportation when you can.  If we are all going to the same place, why do we all have to drive ourselves?

10.  Keep learning
There are so many ways that you can reduce your impact on the environment and take care of your family.  There are a ton of great blogs and books out there and remember every little step helps!



Kailyn Shippee is a wife to Ian and a mommy to Matilda (the baby) and Fenway (the puppy).  She loves to crochet, cook from scratch, and dream of the farm they are currently working towards.   She blogs about her family, their little homestead and their journey towards a more sustainable lifestyle at A New (England) Life (www.kshippee.blogspot.com)





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