Here are some of the simple ways that I save time, simplify my life, live outdoors and on the road, and waste less.
- Everything I own has multiple uses. For instance, the clothes I wear can be layered in cold weather or worn alone. So that a down sweater is just part of my full winter jacket, but will be a great layer for a cool summer night. A Nalgene bottle works to hold tea also, or when filled with hot water, will help me stay warm in my sleeping bag.
- Many people spend a lot of money on hair products here are some ways I get around it: I wear a piece of elastic (excess that I cut out of my sleeping bag’s closure system) around my wrist, It is a perfect size for my wrist and is always there when I need a hair-tie, + it is free and saves me having to buy a stock of hair-ties that will all eventually get lost. Since I do not buy shampoo, I always carry a small 3 oz. bottle that I got from a hotel, I refill soap, shampoo, conditioners, etc. whenever I take a shower at friend’s family, couchsurfer-hosts or wherever. Since I shower at school in the sauna, I always have soap when I need it
- I only use laundry detergent about once every three washes, and when I do, I only use a small amount. So I carry detergent in an old plastic Aquafina bottle and refill it from bulk at the local Co-op. This saves lots of packaging waste as well as reduces the amount of detergent I have to carry at a time and space it takes up, which is important when you live in 100 square feet. Since I use little detergent (really folks, that much soap is unnecessary) I only have to refill about once a year and save a lot of money and waste.
