Curbside Recycling....

Here in the land of Frugal, there has been a multi-decade debate on curbside recycling. Either you can feel good about your efforts by putting/sorting your recyclables at the curb in a separate container, a separately prepared sanitation truck comes and takes the recyclables away and all is good.

The truth is to have that type of program, just doubles your fuel and equipment costs to maintain and the amount of $$ earned from the program is absorbed by the costs. We are capitalists, so the bottom line is what it is about, not just an offset or a ROI for the program being neutral.

The alternative we like to use is the recycling stations. Those that recycle go to the places to recycle. In our county there are several stations within 5 miles of the haus and one was even created as an Eagle Scout project for a local boy. Congratulations!

Anyhoo...the debate of curbside recycling is now part of the mayoral debates of the City of St. Petersburg. Here is the story or "Truth O Meter" for your consideration:

http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/local/kathleen-ford-hits-both-ends-of-truth-o-meter-with-recycling-claims/1039231

Contamination of the bins is serious, but the bins are manually sorted, but it is frustrating to see in the bins, no glass or Styrofoam and there are plenty of those materials 'dumped'; additional time and money are needed all at an expense, while some greeny is feeling good, that they at 'least' recycled it. What they have done, is recycled the problem to someone else, which is also stereotypical of a segment of the 'green' movement.

In the meantime, we Frugals continue to recycle, sort and correctly place our recyclables in neighborhood containers weekly and encourage you to do the same. Enjoy your week!

Been a while...

It's been a while I know.

I have a new position with my employer, something that is a product of a lot of hard work, increased focus and renewed energy found within myself.

For a long time, I was very unhappy with myself. That unhappiness created many waves and ripples.

Self confidence, self esteem and power of thought are very important and vital elements of a person's pyche. I am convinced I secured this position through the application of those three items. Having 23 years of experience and significant tenure in my position at work is a good thing, but also one of those, why 23 years? Where has the growth occurred? It has occurred and the recent promotion is the result.

There were others that were stronger technically than I and others that were more well versed than I, however I brought a package to the interview team.....talk about an experience. 7 interviews in three days!

Anywhooo, I was offered the position, got a nice salary bump and another rise in my step.

The new position will not change our outlook on Frugality.

For example, our power bill only went up $10 from July to August's usage. Although the A/C probably ran longer than the prior month, we maintained the thermostat at 77 degrees. Made sure all fans and lights were off, if no one was in the room and unplugged any chargers that were capable of vampire charges.

More to come as we are starting to dry some of our clothes on a clothesline, cutting out one dryer cycle for every two laundry loads!

Good times.