Self-sufficientishness

Our low-impact lifestyle has emerged from a wish to live a more greener life and a need to be frugal, but from time-to-time I become impatient that we aren't doing enough. When we moved here ten years ago, we inherited a sizeable vegetable plot, some fruit bushes, a greenhouse and a large workshop, plus more space than either of us has ever had. There's not enough land to approach full self-sufficiency on the food front, but we do what we can. We enjoy the challenge of making a lot of what we need and have become pretty creative with what we have. With the current reduced income, this has become even more important. We've joined Freecycle. We would be Freegans if there were any supermarket skips to raid, instead we bargain hunt at the small independent supermarket in the next village-but-one. We have also been known to go scrumping. A friend in the village recycles her newspapers to us to read (thanks, Judith) and then we can make brickettes out of them. It goes without saying that when we have to buy, it is second-hand. We've also both become more artistically creative, which helps with gifts and cards for friends and family. Increased fuel bills are hitting all of us, and whilst we try to use gas and electricity sparingly and we've opted for a capped scheme, the bills seem to be huge. It's back to my parents' day now - when lights were always switched off, water was heated only when necessary, one room was kept warm. Unfortunately, solar heating is so expensive to install, so that's not an option. In the summer, we do have a homemade solar shower in the garden and can heat small volumes of water for washing-up, but that's about it. Also, we'd like a woodburner, but although secondhand burners can be found, the cost of installation is massive. It can be expensive to be green!

A recent book which I reviewed for http://www.thebookbag.co.uk/ has lots of tips if you want to lead a more eco-life. The Self-Sufficientish Bible and the website which some of the tips come from is highly recommended - have a look at http://www.selfsufficientish.com/ for all sorts of things to try out.