I read this at treehugger…

I think, and I think you’ll agree, that our days of decadence are done. I mean, who can afford a $5 daily coffee fix everyday anymore? Who can afford the bottomless tank of yesteryear’s monster SUVs? Who can afford to travel? Or heat and cool their McMansion? It seems that we have been living in a time of decadence; a time of $100 burgers and $12.5 million bras. Key words: have been. Is it safe to say that those times have come, or are coming to, a close? So what now? Well, times like this, there’s only one thing to do. Simplify!

… and thought, “Yes! Yes! Or at least I hope so!”

Don’t get me wrong. I love nice things as much as the next girl, but our disposable culture is totally unsustainable. I don’t want to see people lose their shirts (or anything else) in this economic climate, but some readjustment of our values and priorities is long since due.

With that in mind, re-nest has had an amazing number of posts for reusing and upcycling in the last week or two.

• 7 household uses for coffee grounds (Repairing scratches in wood? I’m all over that.)
• 11 uses for egg cartons (We give our back to our poultry farmer, but know that’s not an option for everyone)
• Tin cans to drawer organizers (I have SO many 25.7 formula cans to do this with…)

Eco Child’s Play writes up 30 Green Ways to Stretch Your Family’s Budget. Along with my fellow green mama Katherine, we posted our introductory feature at BeCentsAble and I’ll have a new post up this Tuesday about introducing organics into your grocery shopping, no matter your current budget or shopping habits! (Jo is already talking about that over at the Modernity Ward right now, too.)

Recycle your jeans into insulation for Habitat for Humanity. Recycle your sweaters into kid’s pants (or perhaps wool soakers?).

I loved this dollhouse makeover post, because mine is sitting in our basement, but my thoughts have leaned more towards several coats of semi-gloss and then using it as a bookcase for board books. Or maybe one of my boys will want to play with it some day?

I do know that I want to get them some cool name plaques made up, or perhaps go on an adventure where we photographer letters and shapes of our own. I have special time with my older son each Friday that I try to plan ahead for. Crockpot carmel apples are also on my agenda soon, as is making “Boo Baskets” for some neighbors.