Barter ECOnomics & the Much-Maligned Art of Packrat-ism

June 29, 2012January 4, 2013 ~ Kana Smith ~ 26 Comments

I'm a little embarrassed. One of the lovely side-effects of living below the poverty-line is the realization that most money-saving behaviors are thoroughly environmentally friendly. I'm embarrassed because it shouldn't have taken a detour into destitution for us to put this type of lifestyle into practice. A matter of putting my money where my mouth … Continue reading Barter ECOnomics & the Much-Maligned Art of Packrat-ism

Home to Roost

June 18, 2012January 4, 2013 ~ Kana Smith ~ 24 Comments

Never mind the "Secret Lives of Bees"--I'm intrigued by the Secret Lives of Kids. I would never guess what's going on in my own kids' heads if I didn't chatter and play with them. Case in point: our 11-year-old son, Christian, has been harboring a long-standing wish to own chickens. I had no idea. He … Continue reading Home to Roost

Kitchen Chemistry #2: DIY Household Cleaners

May 28, 2012January 4, 2013 ~ Kana Smith ~ 40 Comments

Here we are---the second installment of do-it-yourself products on my money-saving mission for the household... We got off to a small-scale but sparkly start the other day with DIY jewelry cleaner, which did an amazing job without the gagging sulfur-smells of commercial cleaners. And that actually raises a point I hadn't addressed before. I've been … Continue reading Kitchen Chemistry #2: DIY Household Cleaners