What’s a “two-fer” you ask? It’s a bogo. Don’t know what a “bogo” is? Okay, fine, let me bring you up to speed; When you BUY ONE GET ONE free, that’s called a “bogo”. When you pay for one and get the second one free, it’s a “two-fer”. Now that we’re all on the same page, I’ll relate how this works in regards to 2 of today’s most pressing problems; GLOBAL WARMING and the possibility of a RECESSION Follow me.
If you watch the news, surf the net, glance at a paper or listen to the radio on the drive home, you can’t miss the global warming and need to reduce our carbon footprint talk. Lord knows there’s plenty of free advice for how we can do that. Fortunately, most of us aren’t grappling with our consciences over fuel for our private jets and aren’t spending too much cash on carbon offsets. And I don’t advocate the “one toilet paper square” thing. I prefer those close to me don’t either. However, in between those 2 there’s plenty of wiggle room for the rest of us.
We can reduce our use of common everyday goods like paper towels. Napkins still work, you know. Some even prefer them. Skip the swiffers and use old t-shirts for dusting. Go back to drinking tap water, wear socks and sweats in the house and lower the thermostat. Artistic, creative, types can even make new clothes from old ones (speaking of; ever notice how expensive clothes made from “reclaimed” fabric are? $71 for one tiny little pair of pants for a 4 year old. Of course, they were made from a “vintage” chenille bedspread and I did wait and get them for 1/2 price. Since I’m on the subject, I’ve really gotta plug my favorite local children’s boutique. If anyone from Athens, Al reads this blog and you have children, you really need to check out The Grasshopper. They keep a fabulous selection of trendy and heirloom kids’ clothes. I could write an entire article of all I find to love about that place. ).
Anyway, I digress. Back to the subject at hand; recycling, saving the earth, restoring it’s “green” and , of course, the “two-fer”. Notice something most all earth-saving ideas have in common? Recycling, of course. Reminds one of stories told of the Great Depression. People everywhere recycled, re-used, and re-sold everything possible. It wasn’t the earth’s loss of green that caused them to do it, but the lack of “green” in their wallets. Well, this ties in with today’s fear of RECESSION. Like global warming, the news media can’t get enough of recession. Some swear we’re in it, others swear it’s coming. In any case, we’re all a little nervous about it and should take steps to either avoid it or lessen it’s effects. And here’s the “two-fer”; when we recycle, re-use, or resell, we help both our wallets and the earth stay green.
Of course, we don’t want to deny ourselves if we can help it. Just because we’re reducing doesn’t mean it has to hurt. There are alternatives. We can start with making a few easy changes. What would those be, you ask? Glad you did. Okay, first, clean up your house, garage, and storage buildings. Separate all the things you’re not using into separate piles. If you have plastics, paper, or copper, that can be recycled, take it to the recycling center and pick up a little cash. Stuff that’s not perfect but has lots of use left can go to your favorite charity (tax writeoff). Useless items should be trashed. (Seriously, folks, there are some things even Goodwill doesn’t want.) Okay, now that you’ve removed the dross, you find the silver. This is the great stuff left over that you aren’t using and don’t plan to use. What to do with this? Easy. Take it to a consignment store. They’ll sell it for you and you both share the money.
Now that you’ve got a clean house and clean conscience (you did just help make the earth greener and put some green back in your wallet, didn’t you?) , what will you do to REWARD YOURSELF. Well, if you’re smart, you’ll go back to that consignment store and shop for stuff to replace all you just got rid of! LOL!
Seriously, folks, consignment is a great way to help both the earth and yourself. The huge bonus is that it is so much FUN! I know this. A few years ago I didn’t really know what consignment was, but after being introduced, I became addicted, and shortly thereafter, we opened our own consignment store. It’s a new experience every day – and we love it. We’d love to see you join us. Visit us on the web at www.athenschanges.com to learn more. We think you’ll agree once you give it a try.
