You may have noticed that The Happy Hoarder has a thing for being able to see in the dark. I'd hoard solar if I could afford the dang stuff. Ironic, then, that the sun is free. Well, I'll get me some panels one of these days because it's like that fancy-pants finance guy Chris Martenson says; in the post peak oil world the difference between no energy at all — say, no … [Read more...]
The Happy Hoarder: Fire in the belly
If there's one thing that stirs the Happy Hoarder's anxiety it's wondering where my sources of heat and light are going to come from in the post-peak fall. Candles don't just light themselves my friend, fire doesn't grow on trees, and I'm no Ben Franklin. Anyway, I need my keys to keep my hoarded treasures safe. So I started myself to thinking a long while back, "What … [Read more...]
Six ideas for a low impact holiday
For many of us, the first snow is on the ground, night skies are star-studded and a holiday spirit is in the air. Holidays, as much fun as they are, tend to bring out some of our most entrenched bad habits. The holidays shouldn't be a burden on the environment, but they are. Most Americans, for example, produce about 25 percent more trash during the holidays (from … [Read more...]
Swords to plowshares and missiles to cold beer
When I reach for a cold microbrew, I have to admit that I'm offended by screw-tops. I want to have to pop a bottle cap off the old-fashioned way. I also prefer having to shell my own peanuts or pistachios. Maybe it's the little bit of work I have to do to get to the goodness inside that makes the nut taste better or the brew go down smoother. And if you're going to pop … [Read more...]
Best $20 Father’s Day gift for peak oil
For $20,000, what peak-aware dad wouldn't want solar panels installed on the roof? Or, if you can pony up $500, and your man has got a more outdoorsy-survivalist bent, a shotgun would make surely him smile. But for less than $20 you can help Dad build resilience in his daily life by giving him an old-fashioned razor that he can use no matter what the future brings. Forget … [Read more...]