Why am I a Greenie?

I spent too much time with my Grandparents growing up.  Poppa, died but I still spend lots of time with Nan.  Just try and waste something around one of your Grandparents and you will be chastised, and regaled with a tale about growing up in the Great Depression.  Well Poppa, tried to tell me about how he grew up in the Depression but Nan chimed in with "so you can remember when you were two?" there was nothing quite watching the "Bill and Jean Show".  Still nothing was disposable and there was nothing that couldn't be fixed.  Poppa was a traveling salesman and his stuff had a a guarantee, warranty and replacement parts.  Now if something is broken it's the "bloody plastic parts", as Poppa used to say within the unit that you can't get fixed or replaced.  Poppa was something of a Mr. Fix-it and kept everything well oiled and with a coat of paint.   They had the same set of wooden garden furniture for as long as they were in their home.  I guess that mostly he was following orders from Nan.  They kept a veggie garden with tomatoes etc.  All of these things were more than likely 'cause they liked fresh tomatoes and were "on a budget" as Nana would remind.  They lived quite happily on that budget,well, while bickering incessantly anyway!

I am cheap.  And I'm trying to save for a house and then hopefully a retirement.  I guess I owe my second hand lifestyle to Nan too.  We hosted huge multi-family garage sales on their big front lawn.  I sold my old toys for fun and profit.  Nan once gave me a used Corking set, it wasn't all new and shiny but in the end I did enjoy it and made a lovely pot holder and rug for my doll house (they were the same).  I was born with fifty dresses in the days before you could find out what you are having, because Nan, faithfully went to every garage sale and church bazaar.  When I was pregnant I hosted six garage sales selling off things from my home and business to finance my second hand baby clothes habit.  Free- cycling or hand-me-downs are always going around this family too.  I'll give away and I'll receive anything second hand.  Don't think our place looks like hoarders or anything we "sort through to find the good stuff, while others fight over the track pants?!" as Nan observed on one trip out second hand shopping.  I'm a single mother so stretching a dollar is doubly important.  The more I buy second or better yet free the more I earn towards my nest egg.

I am afraid of learning to drive a car.  I've had my beginners in two countries.  I don't fear my ability to drive I fear the other drivers.  The world does not need me driving scared, let alone one more car's pollution.  So I let others do the driving.  Some people drive and others should be driven.  Cars are expensive so it's my cheapness too, admittedly.  I read that North Americans should be saving the money they spent on cars on saving for their retirement.  So I'll ask for a lift places, take the bus, train etc. it saves the earth.  I enjoy walking and looking around, saying "hi" to people, you can't do that from a car.  I've met some interesting people traveling and read some good books on public transportation too.  Of course ,now they have hybrid and smart cars, so I'll have to learn how to drive.  My son keeps nagging me to get my licence,  Blair has a plan for us to "practice" in the car at the playground.  Oddly it has two steering wheels so it is like an instructor driving course car, in that way.  For now my other bike is a bike carrier and it's zero emission as long as I don't pass gas.  Honestly, I'm not sure if I hide behind my love for the health of the planet and humans, as a reason not to drive- but we'll go with that!

So if anyone is looking to date an old fashion, cheap and scared to drive Greenie you know where to find me.

Love, Victoria XXoO

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