We do not unplug our tv’s, computers, etc.. I understand they are still using electricity even when turned off, up to 40% of their normal usage. However, I just learned that plugging everything into a power strip and then turning off the power strip is an effective and easier way to eliminate this waste of energy.

For those who carry around plastic bottles of water - Install a water filter under your kitchen sink and refill the bottles from your tap instead of buying new ones. Refill a few at a time and keep them in the refrigerator.

Washing clothes that aren’t dirty. My roommate was the daughter of a brilliant heart surgeon. Decades ago her father and her uncle, now also a heart surgeon had been sent by their family in Lebanon to make good for the other 11 siblings. One day I was doing laundry, and she said: “Do you only wear your clothes once before you wash them?” I said yes. She said, “Our parents taught us to wear things multiple times so as not to wear them out,” Then she said, “I have cousins that live in caves back in Lebanon.” She was very generous with sharing her beautiful dresses. I remember my grandmother saying that when she grew up they did not have closets - but rather 3 pegs to hold 3 garments: One on, one off and one for spare. The nuns where I went to school also had just 3 garments and 3 pegs. I wonder what it would be like to go back to this clothing standard? As for me 90% of what is in my closet is second hand.

I feel really guilty about paper towels and toilet paper. I use the really thick kind.

I am impressed with everything The Ole Crone does, but how does one fit all that into a workweek? I know I am guilty of using bottled drinks for convenience at work, but I have started carrying a covered coffee tumbler, and refilling it with the filtered water and coffee they have in my office instead of using paper cups. I will suggest they give out similar cups or tumblers as an incentive to save paper cups and plastic lids—in the long run it will save them money—it is a large firm.

Everyday I waste a very precious resource - ME! I don’t exercise, I have books half read that I don’t take time to finish, I sometimes fill my body with junk instead of the healthy stuff, and I prefer to lay in bed on the weekends rather than organizing the basement. I think women often waste themselves taking care of everyone else’s needs and the world’s problems and we would do well to remember that we are our most precious commodity and need to be taken care of too.

Once in a while I have a full hot tub to soak in. Other than that, too many shoes.

I drive everywhere, and know its not a good thing. I do have a short commute, but still. And I use too many plastic bags. I have the reusable ones, but have trouble remembering to bring them to the store.

The most wasteful thing is I using plastic bags for food shopping,its so bad:( Now, time for me to start using paper bags:) Good question!

I use too much gasoline. I live in the country and my car goes out of the garage nearly every day to classes at the university, exercise at the community center, movies, lunch with friends, library, shopping, etc. etc. I wish I could walk to some of these places but in California everything is so spread out and public transportation is almost non existant as far as I’m concerned. My next car will be a hybrid. I also use too much paper, towels, tissues, toilet paper and newspapers (2 dailies) but I do recycle those. I do feel guilty about all that gas I’m burning. kif forrest