Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

I feel like I fall right in the middle of being green and recycling everything to not caring at all about my footprint on the earth.

We don't recycle because we have to pay for this service where we live. If they provided the service I would sort our milk jugs, magazines, soda bottles, etc. But since I have to pay to do this, we don't-should... but don't. However, we don't buy bottled water. We use the filtered water in our fridge and use reusable bottles. I didn't use traditional baby food for Hannah and I think I saved the planet a lot of trash by not throwing away 4, 5, 6 of those glass and plastic containers daily. It also saved us a TON of money to make our own baby food. I even looked into using cloth diapers to save the landfills of the disposable ones but I read that they need to be washed 3 or 4 times and I figured with that much water and detergent it would save landfills but drain our lakes and oceans. Also, with the first child, cloth diapers cost as much or more than disposable ones. You start to save money with subsequent children when you reuse your diapers and covers. I have seen at garage sales and on Craigslist that you can buy used cloth diapers but that seems disgusting!

I also feel that when I buy furniture or clothing for Hannah at a garage sale or off of Craigslist that I am saving that item from going to a landfill. I often find great things for us and help the planet! I love saving money!

I saw this ad recently when planning my grocery shopping list:

Incase you can't see it clearly, it says "Glad Rags: Feminine Pads. All natural, reusable, absorbent option". This is absolutely where the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle idea has gone too far! There are some things that you just need to throw away and be done with!!

So, incase you were wondering, I will not be saving money or planet earth when it comes to this or  diapers. I love Craigslist, Garage sales, clearance shopping, clipping coupons, and all together saving money and repurposing someone else's old items-but there's only so far I can go!

Well, gotta go wake the kids up! (I'm watching madelyn today) We are headed to mom and child sing along and then to the park with friends for a picnic. Later!