Category Archives: Sustainability and consumerism

Car culture and kids toys

Posted on January 2, 2012 by Nathan

Like many families, we’ve just had a channukah-induced influx of toys into our house. Recent improvements in storage mean that we actually do have space for these toys, and they have been keeping our kids delightfully busy. We are also … Continue reading →

Posted in Biking, Child-related issues, Links and reviews, Problems and issues, Sustainability and consumerism | 13 Comments

We Love Our New-and-Improved Tiny Condo: Part I

Posted on August 29, 2011 by Angela

My wife and I live in 650 square feet with two kids and we love it. We’ve written about our small home before, a tiny condo in North Cambridge, Massachusetts. We live in a neighborhood full of small houses and … Continue reading →

Posted in How-to, Problems and issues, Small-condo living (tiny house) | Tagged , , | 11 Comments

Actually, we can’t afford a car

Posted on February 2, 2011 by Nathan

We actively choose to live our lives without a car.  When our truck died, way back in 2004, we probably could have found enough money to get another one if we’d really wanted to.  We wouldn’t have been happy about … Continue reading →

Posted in Benefits of being carfree, Frugality, Problems and issues, Sustainability and consumerism | 22 Comments

Toys: Can’t Live With ‘Em, Can’t Flush ‘Em Down the Toilet

Posted on August 20, 2010 by Angela

A friend recently asked us to make a post about how we simplify and de-clutter kids’ toys. My immediate response was, “If you’ve got an answer to that problem, I’d love to hear it, but I sure don’t!” But then … Continue reading →

Posted in Child-related issues, Small-condo living (tiny house) | Tagged , , , , , | 17 Comments

Stuff

Posted on April 9, 2010 by Angela

Last night I had the great fortune of getting to hear some words from Anne Leonard at the Consuming Kids Summit and I got to re-watch the Story of Stuff on a big screen. I hadn’t seen the film in … Continue reading →

Posted in Living locally, Sustainability and consumerism | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Food Waste Challenge

Posted on February 21, 2010 by Nathan

Since baby R was born, we’ve noticed waste creeping into our lives. We’re more likely to waste money on take out. I’m certainly treating myself to more coffees during the work days. When we need to buy something, we’re more … Continue reading →

Posted in Sustainability and consumerism | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

Embracing our Tiny House

Posted on February 4, 2010 by Nathan

Ever since we found out baby R was a boy, we’ve been thinking about real estate. We own a 650-ish square foot two-bedroom condo in North Cambridge (and about 40 of those sq ft are unheated enclosed porch). Our approximate … Continue reading →

Posted in Best of, Cambridge and Boston area, Small-condo living (tiny house) | Tagged , | 23 Comments

Not shopping with kids

Posted on January 26, 2010 by Angela

One huge advantage of our carfree lifestyle is that we don’t shop very much. I believe being without a car means fewer shopping trips, but I don’t have any research to back me up. If you’ve seen any, please leave … Continue reading →

Posted in Best of, Child-related issues, Frugality | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

In Praise of Car-Light Families

Posted on January 20, 2010 by Angela

Occasionally, we worry that people get the wrong idea about us. I know that some readers out there probably think that we are environmental extremists, going to absurd lengths for our carfree cause. But to be honest, we’re fairly lazy … Continue reading →

Posted in Being car-light, Benefits of being carfree, Sustainability and consumerism | Tagged , | 12 Comments

Gifts for City Dwellers and Other Small-Space Folks

Posted on December 19, 2009 by Angela

Over the years, our friends and family have had to get used to our unique needs around gifts. We love generosity and connecting with loved ones, but with four of us sharing 660 square feet, we don’t have a lot … Continue reading →

Posted in Small-condo living (tiny house) | Tagged | Leave a comment