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Our Frugal Christmas Preparations

December 14, 2013 @ 21:20 By Gavin Webber 12 Comments

It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas…. said Holly and Teddy!

Yes folks. It is that time of the year again.  The season to be jolly and all that yuletide stuff.

Today we put up the tree and decorated it with festive baubles and garland that we usually store in the shed.  We haven’t bought decorations or a new tree for about 10 years, as the old ones do us fine.

We also don’t believe in cutting down a perfectly good tree just for a few weeks of the year.  Most real christmas trees are thrown away in the new year to landfill, which is quite a shame.  Not only are they cut which prevents them from sequestering carbon dioxide, they also turn into methane when rotting in landfill.  Not a very pretty part of christmas as far as I am concerned.

All of our christmas lighting is LED, which is very low wattage.  I worked out that our tree lights take 11 watts to run, which is about the same as a single CFL bulb.  Very energy efficient.  Also, I am not one to string up thousands of lights all over the outside of my house, just to light up the street and watch my electricity meter spin out of control.  Imagine how much coal is being burnt to light up all those homes here in Victoria.  Such excess.

Another cool thing that we do each year is make our own christmas cards.  Kim has been very busy upcycling old christmas cards and making new ones out of them.  Each year she keeps all the cards that were sent to us and puts them away for the next season.  Then in a mad frenzy about two weeks before Christmas Day, she gets out bits of old plain card, fabric, glitter pens, and all sorts of crafty stuff, then gets to work.

It is a bit like Santa’s workshop when she gets her card mojo on.

Here is a sample of her handy work.  I think they are brilliant creations, and much better than the expensive ones that you can buy.  Besides, they are all made with love.

Hopefully none of the recipients are reading, but if you are, sorry if I spoiled the surprise.  The cards are on their way, so you will have them soon.

Anyway, other than the tree, lights, and a few decorations around our home, it looks quite normal around here.  Lots of activities like gardening, writing, brewing, and cleaning taking place, with the odd barbeque lunch and swim thrown in as well.  I am take a couple of weeks annual leave starting on Thursday afternoon. Yippee!

We are looking forward to a quiet christmas, as it will be just Kim, Ben, me, and the dogs.  All the older kids are off doing their own thing this year.  We will miss them dearly.

For christmas dinner, we are cooking an organic free range chicken with sage stuffing, and vegetables from the garden. Roasted potatoes, onions, and carrots with steamed, silverbeet, cabbage, and broad beans.  Oh, and maybe a few yorkshire puddings as well with homemade gravy.  Delicious home grown and cooks food, all washed down with lots of home brewed beer!  Any leftovers will be consumed cold on Boxing day, as is the tradition.

So dear reader, I know that I am a week and a bit early, but I wish you all a safe and merry Christmas!

May it be one where spending is well under control, and consumption is not excessive, and the 3R’s are king.  Recycle all that you can, and enjoy the company of those that you are with.

Gavin, Kim, and Ben xxx

-37.6777778144.5686375

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Filed Under: consumerism, Family, paper

How To Cancel Your Phone Book Delivery

October 15, 2013 @ 20:43 By Gavin Webber 11 Comments

Are you sick of paper based phone books?  When was the last time you actually used a phone book?

You know what? I honestly cannot remember the last time I picked one up other than to throw it in the recycling bin.

Finally, there is a way to save copious amounts of paper each year.

For those of you who reside in Australia, there is now once single place that you can cancel your yearly delivery of these paper bricks.  All you have to do is visit Directory Select at this address;  https://www.directoryselect.com.au/action/home and choose “Cancel Books”.  There are about 5 clicks, a postcode, and your address, and you are done.  It is that easy.

You can use this tool to cancel your phone books anywhere in Australia.  As you can see below, here is one I did today.  No more paper phone books for three years!

And if you do have some paper phone directories laying around the home, you can just pop them into your curbside recycling bin.

However, if you still need to keep your phone book for whatever reason, you can be comfortable in the knowledge that the paper is FSC certified (but doesn’t state the paper source).

Sensis, a division of our largest telco Telstra, took the eco-friendly route in 2010.  They have this to say about their phone directories;

“In February 2010, we announced that our Yellow Pages® and White Pages® print and online directories have been certified carbon neutral through the Australian Government’s Greenhouse Friendly™ program, which has since transitioned to the National Carbon Offset Standard. We will achieve this by offsetting the carbon emissions of the directories through accredited providers and projects in Australia. The carbon neutrality accounts for the full life cycle of the print and online directories, including production, use, disposal and distribution, from 1 February 2010.” – source: https://www.directoryselect.com.au/action/info/what-is-directory-select#directory-env

That is all well and good, but the key to reducing any waste cut it off the source.  So lets do it and make a difference.  For those international readers, if you have a similar site in your country, please share via a comment.
Who is going to join me and cancel their phone directory?  Think of all the trees you can save! 
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Filed Under: paper, recycle, waste

Bob the Office Zombie

February 2, 2010 @ 17:30 By Gavin Webber 2 Comments

Carrying over the zombie theme from my post today at the Simple, Green, Frugal Co-op, here is some light hearted messages about using your brain in the office. I couldn’t stop snickering, because I have met a few people like Bob in my time!  Note: Any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental!


Watch Zombies inflitrate your workplace. Don’t be like Bob; use your brain, bring a cup or mug to the office.


Watch the further adventures of Bob in the office. Don’t be like Bob, Use Your Brain. Use the tap.


Watch the further adventures of Bob in the office. Don’t be like Bob, Use Your Brain. Use Both Sides.

Bob cracks me up, what a character!  Too bad there are people like him in the real world.

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Filed Under: Green Office, paper, Tap water, waste, water

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About Gavin Webber

About Gavin Webber

An Ordinary Australian Man Who Has A Green Epiphany Whilst Watching A Documentary, Gets a Hybrid Car, Plants A Large Organic Vegetable Garden, Goes Totally Solar, Lowers Consumption, Feeds Composts Bins and Worms, Harvests Rainwater, Raises Chickens, Makes Cheese and Soap, and Eats Locally. All In The Effort To Reduce Our Family's Carbon Footprint So We Can Start Making A Difference For Our Children & Future Generations To Come.

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Podcast Reviews

  • Always inspiring and entertaining!
    August 4, 2016 by floriographer from Australia

    I've crowed about Gavin's podcast before but I just have to recommend it once again - I love that he shares his learning as well as his successes - it helps the rest of us try try try again! Thanks Gavin!

  • ms
    July 22, 2016 by Ketaea12 from New Zealand

    I really enjoy listening to Gavin, he has a kind lovely voice. He covers some great relevant topics for the everyday greenie. With lots of tips or how to or what not to do. Thanks Gavin, love it!!

  • Well worth your time to tune in
    October 23, 2015 by A Vision Splendid from Australia

    I can highly recommend Gavin’s podcast ! I have followed Gavin’s blog since the very beginning and have loved to see his journey unfold. Gavin has a lovely speaking voice so this podcast is always very easy to listen to. Gavin has a very authentic approach to his green living lifestyle. He shares the ups and downs but always provides motivation and practical steps that we can all implement.

  • very good
    June 28, 2015 by Scared pax from United Kingdom

    This is a great podcast if you want to improve your life in so many aspects and become a more sustainable person. I love the soothing voice, the good pace, and it contains lots of useful information. Recommended!

  • opened my eyes
    May 25, 2015 by Gorn4lyfe from Australia

    A wonderful show!

  • Inspiring
    April 30, 2015 by Alan Whelan from Ireland

    This is a great podcast if you're looking for practical info on saving money by living more sustainably from someone who's made that journey over the last few years. Told in a nice, easy conversational style

  • Green Living, inspiring and practical
    January 8, 2015 by EliseMac from Australia

    Thanks Gav for sharing what has (and hasn't) worked along your journey for living a greener lifestyle. Inspiring and achievable for anyone, I look forward to this podcast weekly.

  • Local food equals less waste
    December 27, 2014 by allotmentadventureswithjean from Australia

    Another brilliant podcast from Gavin Webber encouraging us, and showing us how, to cut down on food miles, growing our own food, and cutting down on food waste. Gavin is a really interesting speaker, showing us how to eat better, growing our own food and how to live more sustainably.

  • Honestly australian
    December 15, 2014 by HodgepodgeOz from Australia

    Fantastic podcast, with a wide variety of well thought and researched topics. Gavin is a honest, forthright pod aster with a genuine interest in helping others get green. Like a day alongside is a day wasted, so too is a week without listening to Gavin. Highly recommended for people starting out, or those in the midst of their new lifestyle. Keep it up Gavin, wish there were more great reviews! Kimberley

  • Morning motivation
    December 8, 2014 by Bunnyworm from Australia

    Gavin has a great passion for living this greener lifestyle that motivates others to do the same. The podcasts are always interesting and informative. :)

  • Passionate Advocate
    October 18, 2014 by BoomOpGirl from Australia

    Gavin's enthusiasm and passion for creating a more sustainable world is nothing short of contagious. Thanks Gav, you are my weekly source of motivation for living a sustainable life! :)

  • Gavin speaks from the heart
    October 13, 2014 by Green gavin from Australia

    Gavin's podcasts are required listening for anyone planning to live a more sustainable life. He doesn't preach, but tells you his story from the heart. You'll laugh, smile, share in his concerns and along the way you'll pick up some great tips on living a simple life.

  • Green thoughts, so well iterated
    October 9, 2014 by Kwasikwami from Australia

    This is a wonderful podcast. Not only does Gavin talk knowledgeably on a range of sustainability topics from gardening tips all the way to the issues facing humanity as a whole, but he does so in such a wonderful voice, it's like listening to my Dad, love it!!

  • Easy listening inspiration on being green
    September 24, 2014 by Broomedy from Australia

    Gav knows how to share his journey to a more sustainable life in a manner that shows just how easy it really is. Not to mention healthier, economically beneficial and generally rewarding. The podcasts are an easy way to absorb Gav's great lifestyle. I recommend to anyone.

  • Thanks Gavin!
    August 31, 2014 by Honeywoodmilk from Australia

    Great practical advice for a greener lifestyle. This podcast is for anybody interested in growing their own food in suburbia, saving electricity, brewing beer, making cheese, all that wonderful business and most of all, saving money! Thanks Gavin, love the podcast mate!

  • Enjoyed those ideas for staying warm
    August 15, 2014 by enduringdragon from United States

    Like you we are having winter here in Chile—brrr! Every bit we can save on heating we will.

  • Green Podcasts
    July 26, 2014 by Carneu from Australia

    Excellent podcasts, which are full of information to help get started on a sustainable lifestyle.

  • Practical ideas and inspiration
    July 19, 2014 by HeathrowHeath from Australia

    I highly recommend Gavin's podcast and blog. Down to earth, entertaining and inspirational. Thank you.

  • Interesting & easy to listen to
    April 27, 2014 by Velocity3 from New Zealand

    Gavin & his guests make this green journey lots of fun.

  • Great green listen
    April 18, 2014 by Obscurenickname from Australia

    Gavin is a great down to earth, tell it like it is aussie with a passion for sustainability and growing food and making cheese

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