Use Less Stuff Day: Top tips for using less & saving more
It’s time to talk trash! Millions of Americans are scouring the Black Friday ads searching for the biggest bang for their holiday bucks in preparation of the big shopping extravaganza,another special of the year reminds consumers that sometimes less is actually more! Use Less Stuff Day is an annual holiday that can help save you money and help save the earth and is observed on the Thursday before Thanksgiving.
Created in 1994 by Robert Lilienfeld and William Rathje, Use Less Stuff Day was created to raise awareness about the amount of garbage that is produced each year during the holiday season. Between the pretty Christmas wrapping paper, ribbons, bows, greeting cards and boxes, Americans throw out about 25 percent more trash, or about 25 million tons, during the Thanksgiving and New Year's holidays. While reducing, recycling and reusing does impact our overcrowded landfills, there just may be another alternative.
While reducing the amount of garbage you toss out is one way to observe Use Less Stuff Day, you can also “celebrate” the occasion by doing other things as well. Check out these tip top tips for using less and saving more!
While reducing the amount of garbage you toss out is one way to observe Use Less Stuff Day, you can also “celebrate” the occasion by doing other things as well. Check out these top tips for using less.
Instead of buying expensive wrapping paper, purchase gift bags and re-use them.
Billions of Christmas cards are sold annually in America.Recycle the old cards by using just the front of the card and write a personal message on the back. Or why not skip the paper cards altogether and send electronic greeting cards instead?
BYOB - Skip the plastic and bring your own bag when grocery shopping.
With all those handy-dandy gadgets, use re-chargeable batteries.
Donate unwanted gifts to a charity or re-gift them (yes, re-gift).
Turn off the lights and unplug those devices when they aren't n use. Use flameless candles for ambiance.
Turn down the heat (or air conditioner).
Having a big holiday bash this year? Instead of forking out all that dough on an expensive new dress, why not wear something you already have hanging in the closet? Add a new accessory to spiff it up a little. Or visit a second-hand store for a great deal.
And speaking of apparel, it’s time to clean out the closet! Donate those rarely worn clothes to your local Salvation Army or Goodwill. Or why not take them to a consignment shop and earn a bit of cash?