“When strangers start acting like neighbors… communities are reinvigorated.” ~ Ralph Nader
One of the things I love best about our neighborhood is its community spirit, and a big part of that old-fashioned spirit comes to us in a very high-tech way: last year, we created a Google Group to stay in touch. Now, we can easily send each other messages and connect with one another. From the start, the messages generated by this group have been positive and generous. Some of the things we’ve shared include:
- Free Halloween costumes and sports uniforms
- Available clothes that our children have outgrown
- Excess produce, free seeds and plants
- Equipment that we we’re willing to share
- Free and inexpensive furniture, electronics and other items for sale
- Garage sale announcements
- Inquiries and referrals for plumbers, electricians, lawn care and other contractors as well as trusted doctors and dentists
- Security concerns, such as suspicious activity in the neighborhood
- Coyote sightings
Before we created our Google group, we used an old-fashioned e-mail list and our neighbor Kathy graciously agreed to keep the list updated. Is your neighborhood connected yet? If not, could you be the catalyst to start a movement? Be sure to let us know about your efforts.
P.S. In case you’ve just joined us, the January Money Diet is a challenge to take a 31-day break from nonessential spending. You can learn more about the money diet here — and jump right in!
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Win a Deluxe Happy Simple Living Gift Basket
In honor of the January Money Diet, I’ll be giving away a gift basket chock-full of home and garden goodies and a signed copy of my latest cookbook 101 Things To Do With Bacon. On January 31, 2012, I’ll draw one random name from everyone who commented during the month and that lucky person will win the gift basket. I hope you’ll stop by often this month and share your own ideas, thoughts and experiences about taking a 31-day break from nonessential spending.
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No, we aren’t really connected. Although we do have a neighbor that has a garden and she brings us vegetables out of it in the summer and fall. My daughter also watches their cat when they go out of town.