Do you pick the fruit?

One of my frugal/simple/organic message boards is having a review.   Simple/ecological living acts are designated as fruit and embarking on the simple/light lifestyle you begin by picking the low hanging fruit and moving up the tree as you get more comfortable.  Have you reached the top of the tree?  I am proud to say we have.   I have placed an asterisk next to the things we do to be more simple, ecologically friendly.  We do a lot but we could clearly do more.

Low Hanging Fruit

• Bring your own reusable bags to the grocery store*
• use reusable containers rather than plastic bags or ziploc bags*
• shop at a local farmer’s market to reduce petrol use in shipping food to your grocery store*
• shop once a week*
• increase ac temp/lower heat temp*
• use compact florescent bulbs*
• shop thrift stores and second hand when purchasing items*
• Install a clothes line*
• Drink out of one cup during the day, refilling it as necessary*
• ditch bottled water, fill a pitcher in the fridge for quick access to cold water*
• wear clothes more than once*

Medium Hanging Fruit

• Plan car trips for maximum efficiency*
• bike/use public transportation for work
• have a producing garden*
• mow lawn with reel mower
• replace grass with native plants to reduce water and work* – in progress
• compost kitchen scraps*
• install gutters/rain barrels to collect rain water

Top of the Tree

• buy appliances with high energy star rating*
• install solar panels
• install tankless water heaters
• install solar powered water heater
• buy a Prius
• telecommute to work*
• switch to front loading washer*
• move closer to work