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Me and my crap

April 3rd, 2007 at 01:07 pm

I'm up early because I've been obsessing about compost all night. More specifically, composting bins.

I'm all about "simple living" these days and one of the things I'd like to do is re-use more stuff instead of throwing it out. Plus, in an effort to beautify the swamp on the east side of my yard, I thought I'd actually try sticking something in the ground and watch it grow this summer (I'm also all about cheap thrills.)

I've been reading up on turning waste into composte and pricing composting bins. I'd like to get one used, but haven't seen any being offered on Freecycle or via my neighbors' trash heaps; and I'm not the handiest of girls with a hammer -- if you know what I mean...

So, after careful consideration, I've decided to purchase one. (Yes, I know it goes against the whole goal here, but I've got a lot of crap I need to turn into black gold as quickly as possible....)

This alone is a stay-up-all-night-to-obsess kind of endeavor. Because of the little problem I have with compulsive shopping and debting, I have to plan out each trip to the store carefully or it gets ugly.

So over the course of the last 8 hours, I have mapped out exactly where I'm going to buy my composting bin, how much I'm willing to spend (no more than $40, which I have in my hot little hands all ready to throw at the first sales clerk who will take it), how I will not be tempted to buy anything more than the bin, and what I will do if I feel myself beginning to slip.

Wish me luck -- and time leftover for a nap this morning....

Posted in Shopping | 7 Comments »

7 Responses to “Me and my crap”

  1. madhaus90 Says:
    April 3rd, 2007 at 01:13 pm 1175606024
    1175606024

    Good luck with your compost plans! Stick to your map/plan! My DH made one at our last house for lawn/yard waste and he's not exactly a Handy Guy. Give it a go, Handy GIrl!

  2. Lux Living Frugalis Says:
    April 3rd, 2007 at 01:28 pm 1175606890
    1175606890

    try:
    Text is
    http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=build compost bin
    and Link is
    http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=build compost bin
    I like the 55 gallon drum idea.

    Something else that would work - 3 or 4 pallets and 4 fence posts driven in to the ground. Wire the pallets to the fence posts. You ought to be able to pick up the pallets free for the asking around your town in the mfg. section. ASK FOR the fence posts or heck even a compost bin on freecycle. Borrow a sledge hammer from a neighbor to drive the posts. No real nail hammering required.

    What would happen if you just Make Do??? - and keep your self out of temptations way if you can?!!?

  3. Cheetahwoman7 Says:
    April 3rd, 2007 at 02:10 pm 1175609412
    1175609412

    Although you haven't seen one offered on Freecycle, I would post a "WANTED" ad instead. That's how I got my composter....believe it or not, one of the tumbler types! The people were moving and were just going to leave it at the house. Didn't figure they could sell it. What a great find for me!

    I'd also post to Craigslist as well. It couldn't hurt, and you have nothing to lose...but $40!!!

  4. JanH Says:
    April 3rd, 2007 at 03:29 pm 1175614194
    1175614194

    I've been toying with the composting thoughts, also. Let me know what you get and if you like it! And good luck on your trip to the store. Sounds like you have it mapped out real well!

  5. mbkonef Says:
    April 3rd, 2007 at 03:48 pm 1175615309
    1175615309

    I read an idea years back in the Tightwad Gazette where they used plastic trash cans with lids. Holes were punched in them for airflow/drainage and the can could be rolled around in order to mix the composting material. Never tried it myself but it sounded like a neat idea.

  6. LuckyRobin Says:
    April 4th, 2007 at 02:23 am 1175653414
    1175653414

    You can compost in large black garbage bags in pinch. Just need to make sure there is a small amount of moisture, a bit of air space and that its left in the sun. You can also just make compost piles that you cover with black plastic or a tarp.

    Personally, I have two of the large green rubbermaid composters that look like small houses. It was a big initial investment and I bought them in consecutive years, but they have more than paid me back with my not having to buy compost for the last seven years.

  7. Nic Says:
    April 6th, 2007 at 03:17 pm 1175872652
    1175872652

    I use a very large trash can w/holes drilled into the sides and bottom for air/drainage. When it's time to "turn" the pile, I just roll it around for a bit. We save all fruits,veggie scraps, coffee grounds and egg shells. I also have some compost "cooking" under a plastic sheet. It works very well, we have the best soil in our neighborhood and we've only been here(SW Utah)for two years.

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