This is what having a little boy means to me... ♥
Showing posts with label carfree. Show all posts
Showing posts with label carfree. Show all posts
Collaborative Consumption & The Power of The Internet
One of the ways I've been able to fit into a 625 square foot apartment comfortably with a child is by owning less stuff. But, sometimes, I still need that stuff. Enter the idea of collaborative consumption. Instead of everyone on the block each owning a lawnmower we own one in common and take turns sharing. It isn't as convenient as having your own everything, but, with the right sharers it can be pretty easy and save you thousands of dollars a year.
Here are some places that can help you get started on your free/cheap/barter journey:
ThredUp - Instead of buying new or saving your old clothes for your next baby try this website. You can swap clothes and toys with other moms online avoiding the need to store unused stuff in your house.
BabyPlays - This is a toy rental service similar to Netflix. For a monthly fee you can rent toys and return them when your kids get tired of playing with them. Great way to avoid having a bunch of outgrown toys laying around.
Kid-to-Kid - Find a children's consignment store in your area. I love this particular chain because the quality is pretty consistent no matter where you go.
PaperbackSwap - I've been a member of this website, and its sister site SwapaDVD, for years and I love it. Great way to get rid of books or movies you don't like and don't anticipate using again.
Hulu - This is by far my favorite website to watch free TV and movies online. My kid loves old cartoons from the 80's, they've got plenty of full series available there, and I love cheesy sci-fi -- which they've got in abundance. They also have a Hulu+ subscription service which offers access to some popular TV shows and movies that aren't streaming for free.
Freecycle - If you haven't heard of this you're missing out bigtime. Have something you want to get rid of but don't think you can sell? Try Freecycle, there's sure to be someone looking to turn your trash into their treasure.
Project Gutenberg - I'm slowly switching over to ebooks and this website is one of my favorites for downloading free literature. You can read them on your smartphone, tablet, ebook reader, laptop, desktop or iPod.
Skype - The best thing ever for free video calls around the world. Great for folks (like me) who live hundreds of miles away from the grandparents.
Zipcar - This is the nationwide carsharing service run by Hertz, but if you're looking for something a little less corporate just google "carsharing" and your city and to find out who's got what.
The Sharehood - A great website for connecting with people in your neighborhood who are also interested in sharing stuff.
BarterQuest - Got something (a skill or an item) to share and you know what -- not how much $ -- you want in exchange? Check out this website for peer to peer bartering opportunities.
Peer to Peer Lending - I love this idea. For when you need cash, but don't want to deal with a nameless faceless banking institution. Put a borrower profile up on one of these sites and make a connection with someone who wants to help. Zopa, Lending Club, and Prosper.
If you have any more resources please leave them in the comments.
Namaste,
Ani
Here are some places that can help you get started on your free/cheap/barter journey:
ThredUp - Instead of buying new or saving your old clothes for your next baby try this website. You can swap clothes and toys with other moms online avoiding the need to store unused stuff in your house.
BabyPlays - This is a toy rental service similar to Netflix. For a monthly fee you can rent toys and return them when your kids get tired of playing with them. Great way to avoid having a bunch of outgrown toys laying around.
Kid-to-Kid - Find a children's consignment store in your area. I love this particular chain because the quality is pretty consistent no matter where you go.
PaperbackSwap - I've been a member of this website, and its sister site SwapaDVD, for years and I love it. Great way to get rid of books or movies you don't like and don't anticipate using again.
Hulu - This is by far my favorite website to watch free TV and movies online. My kid loves old cartoons from the 80's, they've got plenty of full series available there, and I love cheesy sci-fi -- which they've got in abundance. They also have a Hulu+ subscription service which offers access to some popular TV shows and movies that aren't streaming for free.
Freecycle - If you haven't heard of this you're missing out bigtime. Have something you want to get rid of but don't think you can sell? Try Freecycle, there's sure to be someone looking to turn your trash into their treasure.
Project Gutenberg - I'm slowly switching over to ebooks and this website is one of my favorites for downloading free literature. You can read them on your smartphone, tablet, ebook reader, laptop, desktop or iPod.
Skype - The best thing ever for free video calls around the world. Great for folks (like me) who live hundreds of miles away from the grandparents.
Zipcar - This is the nationwide carsharing service run by Hertz, but if you're looking for something a little less corporate just google "carsharing" and your city and to find out who's got what.
The Sharehood - A great website for connecting with people in your neighborhood who are also interested in sharing stuff.
BarterQuest - Got something (a skill or an item) to share and you know what -- not how much $ -- you want in exchange? Check out this website for peer to peer bartering opportunities.
Peer to Peer Lending - I love this idea. For when you need cash, but don't want to deal with a nameless faceless banking institution. Put a borrower profile up on one of these sites and make a connection with someone who wants to help. Zopa, Lending Club, and Prosper.
If you have any more resources please leave them in the comments.
Namaste,
Ani
Finding the Right Friends
Friends do not live in harmony, merely, as some say, but in melody.
~Henry David Thoreau
I made a new friend last month.
A single mom, like me. Who unschools her kids, like I do. Who only serves healthy organic meals, me too. Who went against to grain and her family to create the life she wanted for her and her kids, me too. She herself is the child of a mestizo dad and a black American mom, same here.
It is so refreshing to sit and talk with someone who agrees with me. Who wants the same things out of life as I do. Who is just like me in so many ways.
We take our kids to the park, on walks and to the movies. We do bubbles and picnics and sidewalk chalk. We read books, practice writing and play pretend, all together.
No arguing.
No convincing.
No defensiveness.
When you're not doing things the 'normal' way it can be hard to socialize at times, maybe your kid is the only one who doesn't eat hotdogs or doesn't have a TV at home. Finding people who agree with you can validate your life choices and give you some easy companionship with a like minded soul.
It's nice.
Namaste,
Ani
Sometimes It Rains...
Pick up a pair of fun rainboots & a colorful umbrella to turn your rainy day walks into little adventures!
Turns out, walking to the store in the rain can actually be pretty fun!
Carfree Living & Groceries
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Spring is finally here & we've made it through our first winter completely carfree. Being a SAHM living a a very walkable (sidewalks), bike-able (bike lanes) & transit (bus/lightrail) friendly area made it pretty easy. In fact, the only time I really noticed not having a car was when we needed to stock up on heavy groceries.
This is how we managed:
Use a cart/stroller --- I have a double stroller (that I use for walks to the park when babysitting), I just load it up with canned goods, flour & oil and go on my merry way. I've also seen neighbors with bike trailers (the kind that kids ride in) use them for towing heavy loads.
Use a delivery service --- Some of the local grocery stores still offer delivery service (Lowes Foods in Charlotte does) and I've also used a weekly produce delivery service (Absolute Organics in Charlotte).
Go several times a week --- We're vegan and our diet is mostly fresh organic produce, which means we travel to the store/farmers market every few days to stock up. The load is light and I usually just carry a re-usable grocery bag.
Rent/borrow a car for a monthly stock up of staples --- I also have friends who drive, so if I need to transport large amounts of flour, beans, or canned foods I ask one of them to take me. You can also rent a car for the day (and get any other errands done) or look into a car sharing service. I'd like to organize one in Charlotte, so please conact me if you're interested.
You can also purchase items from websites like drugstore.com (where I get all of my soap, toothpaste, shampoo, etc.) or netgrocer.com.
Namaste,
Ani
This is how we managed:
Use a cart/stroller --- I have a double stroller (that I use for walks to the park when babysitting), I just load it up with canned goods, flour & oil and go on my merry way. I've also seen neighbors with bike trailers (the kind that kids ride in) use them for towing heavy loads.
Use a delivery service --- Some of the local grocery stores still offer delivery service (Lowes Foods in Charlotte does) and I've also used a weekly produce delivery service (Absolute Organics in Charlotte).
Go several times a week --- We're vegan and our diet is mostly fresh organic produce, which means we travel to the store/farmers market every few days to stock up. The load is light and I usually just carry a re-usable grocery bag.
Rent/borrow a car for a monthly stock up of staples --- I also have friends who drive, so if I need to transport large amounts of flour, beans, or canned foods I ask one of them to take me. You can also rent a car for the day (and get any other errands done) or look into a car sharing service. I'd like to organize one in Charlotte, so please conact me if you're interested.
You can also purchase items from websites like drugstore.com (where I get all of my soap, toothpaste, shampoo, etc.) or netgrocer.com.
Namaste,
Ani
Kids Can Walk Too You Know
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| Walking in Freedom Park |
Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time.
~Steven Wright
When I was a kid we were a one car family. My mom was a SAHM in a small town and if we needed to go somewhere during the day we walked.
We walked to the store.
We walked to school.
We walked to the park.
We walked to the library.
We walked to our friends' houses.
We walked to the creek.
We walked just for fun.
My son was just 4 years old when we got rid of our car and it never crossed my mind that a 5 mile walk was too much for him until someone asked me how he did it.
Turns out, he just does.
He doesn't complain.
He walks.
He skips ahead.
He collects sticks, rocks and leaves.
He talks about what he sees.
He asks for the occasional drink of water.
Try taking a walk around the block with your kid. Then to the park. Then to someplace even farther away. Keep them engaged. They'll love it.
Namaste,
Ani
Take a Walk
The less I own the less stress I feel. Six weeks ago I made the decision to get rid of my car. I don't live in a city with the greatest public transportation system, although it does have several different types available, but I have very rarely regretted the decision to sell the belonging which had been the biggest drain on my time.
In fact my life has been enriched in four very meaningful ways.
1.) I've gained a renewed appreciation of nature by walking everywhere I need to go.
2.) I've gained respect for my personal time because trips take so much planning and forethought I only spend my time going places I really want to end up at.
3.) I've gained time with my son. When we walk places together he gets to ask me questions about what he sees, tell me a story, or just sing me a song. There is no radio or traffic to distract us from each other.
4.) I've gained financial flexibility. I no longer need to work more to sustain an object that sits idle for 90% of my time. No taxes. No car washes. No trips to the mechanic. No registration fees. No gasoline. No insurance payments.
As a single parent I believe that the best way to spend more time with my child is to spend more time with my child. My journey reflects that priority. I hope that all of your lives reflect your priorities as well.
Namaste,
Ani
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