Monday, June 2, 2008

Things I Do That Aren't So Frugal and/or Green

In my last post, I listed a couple of things that I do that are green and/or frugal. Now that I've tooted my horn, it's time to confess. Here are some things I do that are NOT so frugal and/or green. I'm open to suggestions for improvement!

-I make microwave popcorn many mornings to take to work for lunch. After the popcorn is popped, I put the bag in a plastic gallon-sized bag, twist-tie it, and bring it to work. I do this so that a) the popcorn stays fresh and b) I can dump the popcorn into the baggie and not get my hands as buttery as if I was sticking my hand into the greasy popping bag. I'm using a lot of single-use items in this process, so it's not very green or frugal, just convenient.

-I buy boxed potatoes. I absolutely love Betty Crocker's herb mashed potatoes and scalloped potatoes. They are quick, easy, and so delicious! I try to stock up when they are on sale and I use coupons (feel free to pass on any coupons you have!), but these are still not very frugal dinner choices. On top of that, the excessive packaging makes them not very green. (I know, I know, they're not particularly healthy, either)

-I take long showers. I blame this on my hair. When I occasionally shower with a shower cap and am not washing my hair, I can be done in 5 minutes. I wash my hair during almost every shower, though, so it takes me a good 15 minutes. I guess I could fix this by getting my hair chopped, but my husband loves my hair longer and I enjoy wearing it in a ponytail, so long it remains. That reminds me, I am definitely due for a trim!

-I own a sports car. I love my 2000 Ford Mustang, but it's a bit of a gas hog for it's size. I get about 19 mpg city and 23 mpg highway. This isn't horrible, but my brother-in-law gets 45 mpg in his Prius! With gas prices what they are right now, I'm pretty envious. My Mustang has been paid for since 2003 and it's given me very few problems, so it doesn't pay to replace it at this point. When it gets replaced in about 3 more years, though, my husband and I will be taking gas mileage into consideration.

I'd love to hear your confessions in the comments or write your own post, let me know, and I'll link to it!

7 comments:

Leslie said...

I used to work at a movie theater and we made huge batches of popcorn, 4-5 bags worth (a bag being a large as a kitchen garbage bag). It's lasts about a week in a sealed bag, so you might be able to make a lot at once and then save it for lunches all week. If it tastes stale just heat it up in your toaster/oven/someplace where you can get a lot of heat to "rejuvinate" it but not burn it.

Anonymous said...

Good idea, L! I didn't realize popcorn would last that long :)

SpillingBuckets said...

Yea, the key is to keep the moisture out so it stays dry and fluffy.

And no-refrigeration needed, ;)

Becky R said...

What I do that is not frugal: Nick Chavez shampoo & conditioner. I love this stuff. I can not go back to cheap stuff (except Pantene or Garnie Fructuis is ok.) I love my hair and spend the $30.00 on shampoo & conditioner. If I do not leave in shower to temp my kids it does last me over 2 months though. Since it is so expensive I use a little of it and it still works great! It is green as it is not tested on animals, but is not biodigradable.
I ask for this as a gift for birthday & Christmas, but have not gotten it yet (trying to be frugal-lol) -Becky in NJ
p.s.-I love microwave popcorn too

Miss Mommy said...

My one not-so-frugal thing I do is treat myself to get my hair highlighted and cut at the salon a few times a year.

Yes, I could do it myself...but I really do enjoy the whole salon night out...plus my hair looks great when I leave. Hubby says that it is the least I could do for myself.....so I stopped feeling guilty about going...and now I just totally enjoy it!!!

Anonymous said...

We do need to pamper ourselves, don't we?!

I also buy salon shampoo and conditioner, but I rotate it with less expensive stuff so the the salon stuff lasts longer.

I go out about 3 or 4 times a year for a pedicure with my best friend, too. It's our thing, and we enjoy it :)

Meg said...

Sports cars aren't all gas hogs, and the Mustang barely qualifies as "sports car" material in my book. (It never was a muscle car either, both the Mustang and Camaro have always been "pony cars.") I'd let it pass as a "sports car" if perhaps it's a Saleen or a Shelby, anything else just doesn't have the quality nor engineering of a true sports car. (Either go fast goodies or superb handling, ala BMW or AMG.) Both of my sports cars get about 28 to 30 MPG, so there isn't really any excuse there until you hit the exotic level.

(Just my opinion, of course, and I tend to get opinionated when it comes to cars... Heh. I see way too many Mustangs where I live to even remotely enjoy the car anymore, plus all the kids who drive them and act like morons ruin it for the rest of the respectable drivers. Now the old Mustang fastbacks... Those I do love.)