With the credit crunch beginning to bite and belts starting to be tightened, we’re seeing a number of trends connected with spending less and spending wisely. There's been a nod to wartime economizing and campaigns to encourage frugality. Happily, many of these trends also have a positive impact environmentally. Some even have a social dimension too - whether by creating a buzz or an opportunity (online or real life) to swap items and share tips.
Gas economizing, coupon-clipping, reusing, recycling, mending, making, swapping, growing your own, baking, car sharing and bulk-buying - these are all out there, alongside some of the trends highlighted in this cluster.
How about swapping what you don’t like or need for something that you do? (We have websites and events to swap clothes, paperbacks, CDs and the more general purpose freecycle for advertising unwanted anythings for those who want them). Or flicking the switch for the lights after the energy meter shows you what leaving them on actually costs? Knitting your own? Cooking too much deliberately to take into work the day after? Buying in bulk and decanting into smaller bottles? Economizing on gas by careful driving or bolting on a gas saving device?
Other trends for borrowing, hiring and sharing items are clearly linked. As are trends around decluttering, downsizing and doing without.
18 Eco Tips For The Credit Crunch
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11 Gas Price Trends + 126 Ways to AVOID Gas Prices
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19 Biodegradable Innovations to Make Composting Cool
16
DIY Exotic Meals
Destination Dinners Recipe Kits
15
Chic Urban Hen Houses
The Chicken Eglu
14
Website for CD Swappers
Lala.com
13
Saving Gas Money For Status Bikes
Rocketing Gas Prices Spur Sales
12
Trading Clothes with Strangers
SwapStyle.com
11
Eco Alternatives to Automobiles
Car Sharing and Eco Taxis
10
Gadgets That Save Gas
The Blade
9
Energy-Use Awareness
Ambient's Device Clocks Your Consumption
8
Social Ride Sharing Communities
PickUpPal
7
Unbranding Stickers
DeBranded Home Labels
6
Mini Home Brewery
Beer Machine 2000
5
Gift Exchanges With Strangers
The Freecycle Network
4
Recycled Design Clothes Swapping
What's Mine Is Yours
3
Anti-Phantom Power Gadgets
Belkin Conserve
2
4 Day School Weeks
Stay-Home Mondays Conserve Fuel
1
Social Knitting Clubs
Stitch 'n' Bitc*
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