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Time to Look at Your Plan Again

We're back to the Green Life plan you started on Day 7, and refined on Day 13. You've done more thinking about the major areas of your life that can benefit from a lighter environmental impact, so pull your plan back out, and figure out how you want to schedule these activities into your green routine.

Composting: You'll likely gather compostable materials throughout each day: coffee grounds, tea bags, fruit and vegetable scraps, etc. You'll probably also add them to your pile or bin daily. You will likely complete other activities (turning the pile, or adding shredded newspaper to the worm bin) on a weekly basis.

Vampire power: You may need to check daily to make sure that you unplug various electronic items that will draw power in standby mode: cell phone chargers, for instance. Of course, making use of smart power strips and other devices that regulate the flow of standby power can make this change almost effortless.

Car maintenance: Check those tires monthly - add that to your plan! Air filters likely need checking every few months, and proper oil changes and tune-ups should occur according to the manufacturer's suggested schedule. Do you know that schedule? If not, check your owner's manual. If you no longer have this, here are some links that will help you get the information you need.

Buying from a CSA: Depending on the season, you may need to set up a reminder to start looking at CSA subscriptions - most start in the late Spring. If you join one, you'll need to make that weekly pick-up a part of your schedule.

Your Action for Today:
Revise Your Plan Again

If it looks like your schedule is really filling up, remember: most of these activities can be easily incorporated into your daily routine. Before long, you separate out those compostables and check the air pressure in the tires without needing a reminder. Living green is tough now because you've developed "ungreen" habits. By using your plan as a reminder, you can develop new habits that lighten your load on the environment, and leave you with more money in your pocket!

Tomorrow: Take a Look at Some New Tools

Sincerely,

The GO Team
GreenOptions.com

Another Week Down: Time to Update Your Plan

Congratulations! You're now nearly halfway through 30 Days to a Greener You. You should also have several more items that you can add to the Greener Life Plan you created in lesson 7:

Recycling: You should have your system in place. Now, update your plan to show activities you'll need to take on a regular basis. You'll probably need to sort daily, and deliver the sorted recyclables weekly, either to a convenient drop-off point, or to your curbside.

Eating and Drinking: You've committed a portion of your grocery budget to greener food, and will probably want to make shopping for it a weekly event. If you can make it part of your regular grocery shopping, great - add that to your plan. If not, identify a point during the week you can do your green shopping, and try to combine it with other trips you would normally make.

Energy, Transportation and Consumption: While light bulbs only need to be changed occasionally (especially now that you're using longer-lasting, more efficient bulbs), you may want to make a habit of checking other energy uses in your home: thermostat and hot water heater settings (especially if someone in your home has a tendency to adjust these!). You'll want to start replacing your furnace/AC filter monthly, as that will help those systems run more efficiently.

Have you scheduled regular trips by mass transit, bicycle or "foot power?" Have you taken note of car trips you can combine? If not, get those into your plan!

You may also want to have a standing weekly appointment with your new favorite swapping site - you never know what might show up!

Your Action for Today:
Update and Revise Your Greener Living Plan

Of course, once you've done this, you'll want to engage in another activity that should be on the plan: using your Green Journal! Put your updated plan in your journal today. Take a look at the plans others have revised. Finally, enjoy your success - you're already living a greener life!

Tomorrow: Learn to compost.

Sincerely,

The GO Team
GreenOptions.com