Author Archives: Darcy Cronin

About Darcy Cronin

I'm a Mother/Coach/Blogger/Business Adventurer from Portland OR. My family consists of my Hubby of 12 years, our 8yo Kieran, 5yo Makenna, and 1yo Teagan. I love dreaming about a better future, and making it happen.

Bartering

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I got a kick out of my recent neighborhood yard sale, and I’ve been thinking about bartering. Don’t get me wrong, cash is nice. But it sure would be nice to simply swap our stuff.

Bartering is like recycling your way to abundance: sharing what you have and received what you need. By definition bartering is a win-win. You’re also likely build some social capital in the process.

I found some green ideas for bartering for all sorts of goods and services. Canada has a sleek online bartering site called SwapSity. I haven’t tried it yet, but U-Exchange barters in several countries!

Interestingly, I found a story about an eco-barter project exchanging goods and services for environmental preservation. Before you jump to judgments, let me share a brief perspective. I stayed on a small island in Fiji, and know that locals will simply go hungry without fishing for sustenance, so an exchange is necessary for survival. I find this arrangement quite different than a mitigation scheme that allows polluters “rights” to certain pollution levels.

Even though it doesn’t add to the GDP, bartering sure makes economical sense and has become popular for good reason.

Does your family barter?

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Sustainable Family Finances
The story of a family creating an abundant and sustainable life.

Weekly Ebb and Flow

Oregon Country Fairness

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The Oregon Country Fair is better experienced felt than described or explained.

Every year since 1969, a tribe of creative dreamers have transformed the banks of the Long Tom River outside Eugene, Oregon into a hippie haven that cannot be rivaled. The Oregon Country Fair is a counter-culture utopia that models how “alternative” living can create sustainable communities.

If you’ve ever been intrigued the 60s or wish you could relive them, the Oregon Country Fair could be for you. If you could think of nothing better to do than create magical moments under an forest canopy, the Oregon Country Fair is your kind of place. Plus there are foods from around the world, solely handcrafted goods, 18 entertainment stages, drum tower, and a marching-band circus – check the official Peach Pit. Trekking to the Oregon Country Fair may be too far for your carbon footprint, but I would encourage you to dream up new ways of celebrating sustainability and creating your own new brand of “counter-culture.”

As a hippie kid, my Twin Sis and I were 10 days old for our first fair experience, and we started on Staff as the first TEEN crew. I was sometimes embarrassed to have hippie parents, aren’t all parents mortifying at 13?!, but I’m now proud of my Green Mama and Green Dads . My father has been on the recycling crew for decades now, and it’s one of the only annual events with 45,000 people that recycles and composts virtually everything, plus they reduce with real silverware now!

I’ve taken an extended “maternity leave” since our Big Guy was born, so this will be my first full weekend camping at the fair. Last year Big Guy was lucky enough to spend the whole weekend with his Auntie and Grandma! I’m really looking forward to experiencing the fair through the eyes of my children and connecting with a wholey unique tribe of sustainable dreamers.

If you want to learn more about the history and adventures of the Fair Family, check out cover story articles for the Eugene Weekly.

Have you experienced the Oregon Country Fair?

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Sustainable Family Finances
The story of a family creating an abundant and sustainable life.

Milking It

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Now that I’ve weaned Girly, I can finally talk about lactating without getting sentimental or engorged. I chose to breastfeed for health reasons, both for my children and myself. But it was also convenient and saved us a lot of money.

Rough estimates show that you can save at least $1500 in the first year of life . The Journal of Pediatrics research shows that breastfeeding could save billions of dollars ! The statistics are pretty startling:

The lives of nearly 900 babies would be saved each year, along with billions of dollars, if 90 percent of U.S. women breast-fed their babies for the first six months of life, a cost analysis says…About 43 percent of U.S. mothers do at least some breast-feeding for six months, but only 12 percent follow government guidelines recommending that babies receive only breast milk for six months.

The beauty of breastfeeding is that it’s free and natural. If case you can’t help yourself, there some great green breastfeeding paraphernalia you may “need.”

I never really researched myself, but I found an in-depth article about why breastfeeding is better for the environment too. Here’s another “eco-mama’s” take on overcoming breastfeeding challenges.

Pumping is certainly the least glamorous aspect, especially if you accidentally flash the mailman like I did! I pumped for a year with both kiddos, and it can be physically exhausting, but the pay is worth it. I bought a standard Medela pump, but I found the second time around that an inexpensive hand pump actually expressed the same amount in the same time, plus at home I could nurse while pumping. You’ll need some BPA-free bottles too. I also chose cloth breast pads, rather than disposal ones, and my Big Guy loved calling them “booby socks.”

Sadly there are toxic pollutants in breastmilk , but feeding is still encouraged. It only makes me want to take action so that my Girly will be able to feed her family. I’ve been active online with MOMS: Making Our Milk Safe for almost five years now, and despite the circumstances progress is possible.

Do feel supported or judged about breast feeding?

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Sustainable Family Finances
The story of a family creating an abundant and sustainable life.

Yard Sale Savvy

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Today’s title is a bit in jest, because I don’t consider myself to be all that savvy when it comes to yard sales. But when my neighbors decided to host a group sale, I couldn’t help but join in.

Technically, I ended up in the hole. I bought more than I sold. I had tons of kids clothes, 2 bags of books, some chair cushions and a futon cover. Virtually no families with young kids showed up, so I only sold a few jammies and onesies. The books sold well, although I wasn’t sure how to price them and I’m pretty sure that I should have headed to Powell’s for a trade before offering them up for $1. In total, I only earned $29. Yet, I felt like I came out ahead…

My neighbor had the perfect antique chase and a sweet little wooden bench seat! Both need to reupholstering, but they are exactly what I had in mind on my home wish list. Plus, I scored 5 boxes of jam and canning jars, which I was planning to purchase the very next day. I also picked up a couple of games and dress-up clothes for the kids: all for $65.

Here’s a few tips:

Prep the week before and plan to set up early – expect early birds
My neighbor sold donuts in the morning and sodas in the afternoon for $1
Be willing to negotiate on price, but don’t sell something for less than donation value
Group pricing 2 for $5 etc, to encourage bulk sales
Have cash and change handy
Crank up some music and have some fun!
More tips…

Getting buyers to you sale is critical. They advertised in the newspaper, on Craig’s list, and signs. With an informal poll, generally the older generation found out from the paper, while the younger crowd hit craigslist or simply scouted by signs en route. In hind sight, I should have been more proactive about advertising via Facebook and local mom networks to help get the word out.

Lastly, despite the bargain scores, yard sales always remind me why we try to live uncluttered and how too much stuff harms the planet and robs you in the process.

What are your tips for a successful sale?
Do you find sales worth your time and energy?

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Sustainable Family Finances
The story of a family creating an abundant and sustainable life.