My friend Scott Strain told me about an excellent book called “Better Off: Flipping the Switch on Technology.” It’s about a couple who lived with a Mennonite-type community for 18 months without electricity, and the wonderful experience they had. I haven’t yet read the book, but it’s gotten me back in the mood to cut back our electronics in our lives. So here’s my suggested progression:

1. Get rid of the hairdryer, back massager and curling iron.
2. Get rid of all bedroom CD clocks. Try to live on our own inner clock, with help from the sun. If one really needs an alarm, use their cell phone or an old-fashioned wind-up clock or travel alarm.
3. Revamp our lighting. Use the most efficient bulbs in all light fixtures. Use the lamps more and the overhead lighting less, as little as possible. Use all lighting as little as possible.
4. Get rid of these kitchen appliances: Cuisenart, electric mixer, George Foreman grill. Keep these kitchen appliances:  toaster oven, Vitamix, waffle iron, rotisserie machine, crockpot.
5. Find out a way to be able to watch our VHS tapes using the laptop & our VHS machine, or some other solution. Once this is solved, get rid of the TV. Use the laptop for viewing. Use the newly available wall space behind the TV for maps. Use the top of the TV console for homeschool projects.
6. Stop using and eventually get rid of the dryer. Use a clothesline outdoors in warm weather, and inside, in the Craft/Laundry Room, on cold days. Keep the clothes washer.
7. Stop using and eventually get rid of the dishwasher. If desired, sell and remove the dishwasher, and install large pull-out shelves for (1) a worm composting bin, and (2) a dish-drying rack.
8. Change over to a new email address, over time, and eventually cancel the old one. Limit the email subscriptions and groups I’m in. Take 1-4 weeks completely off from all email as a break (an email fast J).
9. Go without the small vacuum for a while (use a broom) and consider whether to keep it or not. Keep the upright for vacuuming the carpets and rugs.
10. Get rid of the motored lawnmower and get a manual one.
11. Get into the habit of walking and biking more, and using the car less.
12. Get rid of the sewing machine and get an old-fashioned treadle one.
13. Keep the iron, the portable tape player, the telephones, the fridge, the deep freeze, and the stove/oven.
14. Use the central heat and the swamp cooler sparingly.
15. Get rid of all computer games that are not educational.