Downsizing

Ok, here's my pop strategy that I've been mulling over the past couple of days. Brace yourself, I'm going to honest with you all. Be nice to me :)

I like the bubbles of pop. I think I like the caffeine. I don't grab one because I'm feeling low on caffeine. It's really for the sugary taste (fake sugar in my case) and bubbly feel. It's usually the first thing I grab if I'm thirsty, hungry, or hot. I'm picky about my pop. Not really the brand, but the flavor. Vanilla is my favorite. I have to drink it from a can. I don't like pop that is even slightly stale. Most of the time I don't finish the can because it's gotten too warm or has lost it's bubbles.

Each week I buy a 12 pack of diet pop. This costs between 3-4 dollars. I consume all of this and sometimes more a week. So, about 3-4 cans a day. Which brings the rough total to $24 per month. We recycle the cans regularly. I tried recycling the box but there is not a place around here that takes box board that is specially treated to go in the fridge. (Actually, I'm going to call around at our other centers nearby and see if it's different.)

Since I don't think it would be a sure thing to just quit cold turkey I'll start small. I'll buy a 2 liter. They cost about $1. It's very cost effective for the amount, and it's only one thing and it it recyclable. Only buy this on Friday's and when it runs out, it runs out. I probably won't drink it all because I hate flat pop. Cost per month about $5.

Next, I'm going to have tea time each day. Making sure I don't become an addict to caffeine. I'll aim for drinking probably 2 cups a day, morning and late afternoon. Maybe even be so frugal to using the same tea bag. I'll have to test that one out. Tea is great in compost, so I'll hook up with my mother-in-law and get that going. The box it comes in is recyclable. The plastic outside, I'll have to check on that.

I just bought two boxes of tea today at $1.59 each. They each have 20 bags in them. I'd love to switch to loose tea eventually. It's very cost effective and very low in waste. Plus? They have those awesome tea pots that I've always wanted. So, even if I had 3 per day (not re-using them) it would cost $7.20 a month.

That's a big cost difference! Oh, and of course, a better health choice :)