4 Easy Ways to Make a Small Business Environment Greener

The thought of going green as a business owner sometimes feels a bit lofty. With payroll and
larger expenses to worry about, knowing that going green will take large commitment of both
your finances and time, it often feels like something better left alone. However, there are plenty
of ways you can take charge as a business owner to make sure you're doing what you can for the
environment, and do it much more easily that you would have thought. Read on for some simple
ways to help your small business go green:

1. Use mugs instead of plastic or Styrofoam.
Using and re-using dishes in an office environment can get a little hairy. You never know how
well something has been cleaned, who has used it, and why that plate has been left in the sink for
two days. The trials and tribulations that often go along with sharing a kitchen space can just be
a little too distracting to bring into the workplace. So, you may have to provide things like paper
plates and plastic utensils just to keep the peace. But one easy way to help out where you can is
be mandating that employees bring their own mugs and use them every day, instead of providing
Styrofoam cups. This is a great way to cut down on your daily waste and keep one of the most
harmful landfill components out of the trash.

2. Recycle office-wide.
Make sure to place recycling containers throughout the office. If you only keep a place for your
recyclables in one area, employees will be less encouraged to head there every time they need
to throw a recyclable item away. Take the time to consider the work flow of your office, and
place recycling bins in corresponding areas. Place paper recycling under printers and next to
the trashcans near desks. Place plastic and aluminum in the kitchen. Also, consider purchasing
recycled paper products for your in-office needs.

3. Have employees turn off computers when they leave.
This simple step can save tons of electricity, depending on the types of computers you use in
your office. PCs use much more power than laptops, so, if your office depends heavily on PC
use, then you can save quite a bit of energy by taking moves to conserve power. And, with any
device, by turning the setting to sleep or hibernate, you will be using about a third of the power
you would normally use if you had kept it on, which is still significantly more than turning it of
all together. So, if possible, have employees completely shut down their computers when they
leave for the evening.

4. Don't print out what you can provide online.
Businesses get into the habit of printing out every important HR document, but there is no reason
to print anything out unless you actually need to. We may not think twice about the things we
print, but it really can be a waste of paper. Not to mention an unnecessary use of funds. Make
sure to speak with your office coordinator to let them know which types of documents should be
printed and which are better dispersed online.


Eliza Morgan is a full time freelance writer and blogger. She often writes forwww.businesscreditcards.com where she specializes in small and independent business topics. If
you have any questions, email her at elizamorgan856@gmail.com.

Green and Frugal: Do You Pay Attention to Companies Going Green?

When it comes to being eco-friendly, it can be easy to make changes to your lifestyle. But have you ever considered how the companies you patronize are going green? Does it make a difference to you?

The SoftwareAdvice.com survey asks readers if a company's efforts to go green  influence purchase decisions. Click here to participate in the survey.

The survey coincides with an article about five companies that are greening their supply chains. In the article, the efforts of IBM, Whole Foods, Wal-Mart, Patagonia, and Pepsi are discussed and they are working to reduce their impact on the environment, which is certainly commendable. But should they be doing more? What are the real motivations behind a greener supply chain? Are consumers even aware of these efforts?

We'd love to hear your thoughts!

Be an Eco-Fab Wedding Guest

If you're going to attend one of the more than two million weddings happening this year in the U.S., you may find the event is surprisingly eco-friendly. Wedding magazines and blogs are abuzz with ideas to help brides and grooms who want to take impact on the planet into consideration when planning their big day.

But whether a wedding is "green" or conventional, it's easy to be an eco-conscious guest. No need to show up in a dress made from last year's magazines. (While a fun idea, it would certainly grab attention from the bride, a definite no-no whether the wedding is eco-friendly or not!) Instead, simply consider each aspect of the wedding in which you'll participate and think about how you can make greener decisions.

Giving green
Start with the gift. If the couple signs up with an eco-friendly shop registry or asks for donations to a cause they support in lieu of "stuff," you've got it made. 

If not, check for eco-friendlier items on their registry. For instance, they may have chosen a set of bamboo bowls or wool blankets. Look for items that are locally produced instead of made and shipped from overseas. These may not have been selected because they're eco-friendly, but who cares? If they are greener choices, you'll feel great picking them and the bride and groom will be happy as well!

When giving a tangible gift, avoid conventional wrapping paper. The Carnegie Mellon Green Practices initiative says that "If every American family wrapped just three presents in reused materials, it would save enough paper to cover 45,000 football fields."

Why buy paper from virgin trees when there are so many great alternatives--fabric made just for wrapping, silk scarves, a map from the honeymoon destination, tree-free or recycled papers, and seed embedded wrapping that can be planted once the gift is opened, to name a few.

And when it comes to ribbon, embellishments and cards, alternative choices can make your gift beautiful and guilt-free. 

In many circles, it used to be considered crass to give cash for weddings, but these days, money really is green. Just be sure to offer bills or a check and not gift cards which, for the most part, are made of plastic, ultimately are tossed and never degrade. (Even if the plastic is made from PLA--theoretically compostable plastic--the card's magnetic strip will stay around a lot longer than many marriages!)

Getting there the greenest way
One of the most impactful decisions you can make is whether to attend the wedding or not. Flying across the country for a day is not the most eco-friendly move you can make. But if you decide to go, you may want to purchase carbon offsets. 

If you live close to the wedding venue, walk or carpool if possible. Even if you drive alone, you can volunteer to have other guests travel with you between the ceremony and reception.

Eco-chic wearables
When it comes to choosing what to wear, avoid buying new. if the event calls for more formal wear than you own, consider borrowing, renting or buying pre-owned. The web makes it easy to find designer labels in pristine condition. And if you simply must have something off the rack, search for outfits by eco-friendly designers made from sustainable materials. Whether you're seeking clothing, shoes or a handbag, stunning greener choices are available. 

Aim for low-waste
Food and wedding receptions go together and generally etiquette will trump green when guests are offered only paper napkins and plastic stemware. But just because paper napkins are available doesn't mean you have to grab a handful. Choose to reuse plastic items like plates, glasses and utensils, rather than grabbing new ones each time you return to the buffet. And when you're finished, be sure to ask where the recycling or composting bins are located and use them. 

A lot of waste is generated from wedding leftovers. Volunteer to take remaining food to donate to a food bank or local nursing home (having called in advance to find out whether they will accept the donation), or to compost flowers, paper and food that cannot be given away.

Lynn Colwell and Corey Colwell-Lipson are mother and daughter and co-authors of Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family, available at www.CelebrateGreen.net  

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Have a Green Thanksgiving

Put the Meaning in the Greening this Thanksgiving

Making every celebration more about people and less about things is a key to celebrating green. When we focus on relationships, we tend to spend less, eat less, have less left over and end up putting less into landfills.

So this Thanksgiving, take a look at your rituals and seek out ways to enhance their meaning. Here are some suggestions.

• In the weeks before Thanksgiving, gather the family and talk about your traditions. Ask for input about what kinds of things you might do together to increase the joy everyone will take from the celebration. Brainstorm ideas, then choose a few to implement this year. (See below for suggestions, but start by asking your family as they are likely to come up with ideas that fit your group perfectly.)
  
  
• Also prior to the holiday, invite your family on an outdoor decor hunt. Go for a walk whether you live on the plains, near a river, or by the ocean. Gather (legally) items, return home and set them up on a table. They might make a gorgeous centerpiece on their own. Or fill a bowl or clear vase with them. Place a couple of beeswax candles in their midst and you've got natural table decor that cost next to nothing.
  
  
• Encourage your kids to come up with games that the whole family can enjoy following the feast. Search online or check out library books on non-competitive games that are fun for everyone.
  
  
• Involve the family in crafting decor, place cards, and small takeaway gifts that are either made from recycled materials or edible. As you are working with them, explain why it's important to avoid using virgin trees (i.e. paper), and other unsustainable materials, especially for a holiday that is so tied to the Earth.
  
  
• To add more meaning to your meal, shop locally. If possible, visit a local farm. Talk to the farmer about what is in season and how to best prepare the food for your guests. Be sure to acknowledge the farmer and the work he/she did to ensure you had a flavorful meal when you are giving thanks at the table.
  
  
• Ask each guest to bring a small item representative of something for which they are grateful. Place each item either at the place of each guest or in a bowl that can decorate the table. During the meal go around and ask each person to explain the meaning of the item.
  
  
• If you host a large gathering for which it's difficult to supply enough china, here's a twist on the idea above. Ask each guest to bring their own place setting along with a story about the plates. At the table, ask guests to explain what is special about the setting. Did the china belong to a great grandmother who brought it when she immigrated? Was this place setting a gift from a beloved friend? Are you especially proud that you bought it for pennies? The stories don't matter. Sharing them does.
  
  
• And speaking of sharing, how about asking each guest to bring a contribution to your local food bank?
  
  
• Aim to make a tradition of a no-waste Thanksgiving. This involves a little more planning than usual, for example, offering fewer choices (do we really need mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes and rice?), and ensuring that leftovers go to people who will use them. Decorating glass jars that everyone can fill and take home is a great way to share the leftover bounty. If you compost yourself or do it through your community, be sure that leftover food is deposited in a properly marked container.
  
  
• If a member of your family or a close friend has passed away during the year, remember them sometime on Thanksgiving day. You might light a beeswax candle in their memory, relive some memories or offer a prayer.

Whatever you do this Thanksgiving, focus on those you care about and you will make priceless memories. What is more eco-friendly than that?

Lynn Colwell and Corey Colwell-Lipson are mother and daughter and co-authors of Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family, available at www.CelebrateGreen.net

Some Tips to Green Your Thanksgiving

It's never too early to start planning for Thanksgiving. With just a few weeks left, here are some tips on how to make your Thanksgiving more eco-friendly:

1. Buy less so there is less cost and less waste. Try cutting out one or two dishes (not the absolute favorites) or cutting down on the amount of each you make.
   
   
2. Use the freshest (organic if possible), locally grown, seasonal ingredients whenever possible. To save money, buy in bulk (go in with friends) from your local farmer, use coupons for organic items and start saving for next year's organic turkey (they really do taste better), the day after this year's celebration.
   
   
3. Avoid purchasing anything that cannot be reused, recycled, composted or consumed.
   
   
4. 100% beeswax candles in holiday shapes as well as tapers etc. from Big Dipper Wax Works
   
   
5. Handmade, hand dyed, organic cotton table cloths and napkins from Fiberactive Organics
   
   
6. If you are grateful for your guests, why not plant a tree in their names in a national forest that has been decimated by wildfire through Trees for a Change.

How are you making your Thanksgiving more green this year?

Green and Frugal -- Use Less Gas

Another great post by our friends at the Greenest Dollar...

I was doing research for a client last week and came across some stats from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) that made me want to cheer.

What’s the news?

Well, thanks to the recession and the growing awareness of global warming, we’re driving less this year. A lot less.

The EIA predicts that once 2009 is finished, we’ll have consumed 4% less oil than we did the year before. I know 4% doesn’t sound like a lot, but it really is. 4% means we’re consuming 800,000 fewer barrels per day than we did last year.

And the EIA reports that in the first six months of 2009, our consumption dropped by a whopping 6.3%, which equals 1.25 million barrels per day less than last year.

That is a ton of oil we’re saving, just by making small changes in our routines and cutting back to save money.

And it’s not just oil we’ve cut back on. Coal consumption fell by 11% in the first half of 2009. That equals a major reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Yahoo!

The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly…

So, that’s the good news. The bad news is that the EIA is projecting that 2010 is going to show an increase in our oil consumption by 1.4%. That’s 260,000 barrels per day. And our coal consumption? It’s projected to increase by at least 2%.

They don’t report a reason why our consumption is going to go up, but it’s pretty easy to figure out. After all, it’s human nature. The economic crisis is passing, and the world didn’t collapse. Many people are going to go back to their old ways of bumping up the heat and driving more.

Not. Good.

I know it’s hard to stay consistent about consuming less. And I’m right there in it too; I’m fortunate I don’t have to commute to go to work, but I do like to drive to other cities to do fun things. Lately, I’ve been going through quite a bit of gas, and I feel bad about it. I know that last year, I wasn’t doing near as much driving as I have been the past couple of months.

I need to be more aware of every mile I’m driving, and still work just as hard as I did last year to cut back on how much gas I’m using. I hadn’t been thinking much about it until this morning when I filled up my car. I’d only filled it up the week before, and here I was doing it again.

Oops.

Gas Saving Tips

So, how can we all use less gas?

Here are some handy dandy tips I found online:

• Drive Slow- Edmunds.com reports that slower driving uses an average of 14% less gas. So, go the speed limit. EcoDrivingUSA reports that for every 5 mph you go over 60 mph, you pay an equivalent of 20 cents extra per gallon.

• Don’t Gun The Gas- Pressing down the gas pedal floods your engine with gas so your car can move. Elementary, dear Watson! But when you accelerate quickly then your engine needs more gas. CNN Money recommends not pressing the gas pedal down more than one inch unless you really have to. And, Edmunds reports that aggressive driving (accelerating quickly and rapid braking) uses up to 37% more gas than driving like a calm adult.

• Call the Store- Are you driving out to Home Depot to pick up some chalkboard paint? Hitting Target for a new furnace air filter? If you’re going to a store to pick up a specific item, call ahead to make sure they have it in stock. I can’t tell you how often I’ve had to drive around looking for something when the first store I went to didn’t have it. You can save time, gas, and stress simply by using the phone first.

• Use Cruise Control- CNN Money reports that using cruise control can save you up to 14% on your gas. Why? Because cruise control naturally helps you avoid going faster. And the faster you go, the less gas mileage you get.

• Save Gas By Cleaning Out Your Trunk- If you’re hauling a bunch of junk around in your car, then keep in mind that you’re using extra gas to cart around the extra weight. EcoDrivingUSA estimates that for every 100 lbs. your car has to carry around extra, it uses 2% more fuel. It pays to have a clean car.

Save Up To 40% By Eco-Driving

According to the Wall Street Journal, Eco-Driving is a relatively new term for a driving technique that’s starting to gain steam.

What is it?

Well, WSJ says it’s a technique that “blends the skills of a racecar driver with the proverbial grandmother’s pace”. And, you can improve your car’s gas mileage by 20%-40%.

That’s pretty significant.

Here’s a summary of what Eco-Driving entails:

• Maintain a steady momentum, like you would on a leisurely bike ride
• Accelerate very gradually
• Coast whenever possible
• Constantly adjust the car’s speed to minimize the need to stop
• Stay aware of traffic patterns in front of you so you don’t have to slam the brakes

Want to find out more specific information on how to start Eco-Driving? Then check out EcoDrivingUSA.com. They’ve got some great information posted on their site about how to get started.

Last Word…

What about you? Have you found yourself driving more now that things seem to be settling down with the economy, or have you stayed consistent with using less?

I’m definitely going to work harder at going out less and combining my trips, and I’m going to start practicing some of those Eco-Driving techniques. EcoDrivingUSA reports that the average person can use 20% less gas just by changing their habits, and that’s pretty huge!

Green and Frugal -- Using Eco-Friendly Products

One key component of green living is using eco-friendly products. Today almost anything you want or need, can be found in a "green" version. Green or eco-friendly simply means the product is made in an environmentally friendly way. It could mean it's made of sustainable materials, such as bamboo flooring, or it keeps an existing material from being dumped into the landfill and gives it a new use, such as recycled glass countertops.

Eco-friendly products aren't just for major home remodeling. You can get eco-friendly bamboo laptops, belts made from recycled bicycle inner tubes and there are even shoes made from recycled quilts.

Whenever you're in the market to buy a product, you should look at how it's made. Ask yourself: "Is it manufactured in an environmentally friendly manner?" There are a couple of levels of eco-friendly products. One being the product itself is made from renewable or sustainable materials. The other is the method of manufacture and its effects on the environment. The best of both worlds is a product made from renewable materials and manufactured in an earth friendly manner.

You can take the concept of using eco-friendly products to any level. One example is; your grocery shopping can be made more eco-friendly by buying locally grown, organic produce and using recyclable bags you bring with you.

When renovating your home there are lots of great options. Everyone's heard of bamboo flooring, which is both beautiful and made from a renewable resource, but there are other types of flooring you can use as well. Cork flooring is also renewable and can be very beautiful. It's also warm and soft to the touch. Marmoleum is a type of flooring that's actually been around for some time which uses earth friendly manufacturing methods and has a great industrial or retro feel that fits nicely with today's styles.

Even your clothing can be eco-friendly. Choose items made from organic cotton, hemp and even bamboo. Big name manufacturers are now getting on the green bandwagon. Levi Strauss uses recycled zippers and buttons as well as organic cotton. Today's eco-friendly clothing can also be trendy, so while shopping pay attention to labels and try to help the environment while you're selecting your new wardrobe.

Things like cosmetics and cleaning products are also available in an eco-friendly version. Choose items made from organic materials which don't use toxic chemicals. Using these eco-friendly products will help the environment as well as your health, so it's worth while to seek them out.

Some of the best eco-friendly products also help conserve resources like water and electricity. Water conserving shower heads and faucets are a great choice as well as compact fluorescent bulbs, which lower electric consumption and help reduce the worldwide energy strain.

There's a large demand for eco-friendly products today and more and more choices are available everyday. Read product labels carefully to be sure products you consider buying really are eco-friendly and you'll know you're doing your part to keep the planet healthy.

Resources Box: The Green Living System gives you a more detailed report to help you begin living a green lifestyle. Visit Green Living System today to begin doing your part to save the earth.

Website Review: MyEmissionsExchange.com

Reduce Your Footprint & Earn Money -- Does It Get Any Better?
I somehow stumbled upon MyEmissionsExchange.com. It's basically a site that helps you identify your personal carbon usage, exchange it and earn money for reducing your carbon footprint. MyEmissionsExchange tackles the increasingly important issue of global warming in a new way: by paying individuals for reducing their carbon emissions.

MyEmissionsExchange.com is easy to use, and they break down the process into three steps: Measure, Reduce, Earn.

First, you MEASURE your carbon footprint relative to your home energy use. When you create your profile on the site, you enter your electric and heat usage for the last year.

My EmissionsExchange.com then offers a variety of tips to REDUCE home energy use. As you begin reducing carbon emissions, just enter your utility usage once a month. The website does all the calculations for you and tells you how much you are saving on energy and earning on credits! MyEmissionsExchange.com will then certify these reductions and award members carbon credits similar to those currently granted to companies, states, and countries.

Members receive their EARNINGS via Pay Pal.

I just signed up. Now there is a bit of data entry of past utility bills. I'll keep you posted on whether or not I end up with earnings.

Have you tried this site? What's been your experience? I'd be interested to hear from you.

Going Green: Garden Update

Granted we had a long spell of rain in June, we're well on our way to growing some great veggies. We picked two green peppers, but they ended up being really bitter for some reason. I think we may have picked them too early because they were pretty small.

The green beans are coming in nicely and taste delicious! Our 2-year-old daughter likes them so much that she ate a whole bowl raw. (She helped me point out some of the veggies, as you can see.)

Our tomato plants are growing out of control! They're so big that they're actually bringing their cages down. There are a number of green tomatoes. It's just a matter of them getting ripe. My husband just realized our tomatoes have the late season blight. It basically creates mold on your tomatoes and you have to kill the whole plant. Luckily it didn't hit too many plants. Unfortunately, the solution is to rip out the whole plant so it doesn't infect any other plants.

My husband has also been battling the deer, groundhogs, squirrels and birds. They just about ate our cucumbers down to nothing. But the plants still have some life left in them. Hopefully within the next 2-3 weeks, we'll have an edible cucumber. Check out this one -- almost ready for salad!

Carrots and lettuce are slowly progressing. The groundhogs did a number on the Romaine lettuce and spinach. We would be eating those already if they hadn't been demolished by our rodent friends. That said, they're making a nice comeback.

We've had a few jalapenos - yum! We're also growing potatoes, which should be ready to harvest in the fall. Hubby got excited a picked a few cute, little red potatoes.

In addition, we've been getting our weekly deliveries of farm-fresh produce through Catalpa Farms, our local farm share that we participate in. It lets us try a variety of new vegetables, including kale, fava beans and garlic curls.

Some people have garden gnomes. We have a garden cat...

I'd love to hear how your garden is growing. Have you been able to harvest any veggies?

Go Green: Carbon Footprint Sneakers

As part of Citizen Schools programming, students and volunteers explore a wide variety of careers and topics from financial literacy to solar energy to law through apprenticeships run after school. The group of students in this climate change apprenticeship have explored how their behavior impacts the world’s climate and have expressed what they’ve learned about their carbon footprints in a series of individually stylized sneakers.

Working with Ed Morris, founder of The Canary Project and Green Patriot Posters, and renowned street artist Roger Cummings of Juxtaposition Arts, students have designed sneakers that emphasize ways that people can reduce their carbon footprint. These sneakers will be featured on a billboard, along with a message reflecting the student’s awareness about their carbon footprint and a call to the rest of the community to join in the fight to reduce CO2 output.

The billboard will read “The Kids at McCormack School know their CARBON FOOTPRINT. What about YOU?” and will be produced by The Canary Project working with students from the Rhode Island School of Design and Harvard. It will serve as an example of how everyone, especially kids, can have a strong, positive voice in creating a sustainable future.

“Working with the students has been extremely inspiring,” said Morris. “Through the billboard, we are not only engaging students in learning about climate change and their carbon footprint, but helping to give them a loud and powerful voice in the fight against climate change. This is about empowerment and education as much as climate change.”

The class and billboard was made possible by generous contributions from anonymous donors, Zapatos Shoe Store and the Program in Education, Afterschool and Resiliency, a collaboration between Medical School/McLean Hospital and the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

About Citizen Schools
Citizen Schools is a national nonprofit organization that partners with middle schools to extend the learning day for low-income children. Founded in Boston in 1995, the organization mobilizes thousands of adult volunteers to help improve student achievement by teaching skill-building apprenticeships after school. Programs blend these real-world learning projects with rigorous academic and leadership development activities, preparing students in the middle grades for success in high school, college, the workforce, and civic life. Citizen Schools currently operates at 44 middle schools in seven states, serving 3,800 students and engaging 3,200 volunteers nationwide. Learn more about Citizen Schools’ programs, results, and plan to advance the after-school field at www.citizenschools.org.

About Canary Project and Green Patriot Posters
The Canary Project produces visual media and artworks that deepen public understanding of climate change and energize commitment to solutions. Canary Project works have shown at both art and science museums as well as on the sides of buses, in school presentations, on the Internet, in magazines, and in a City Hall.

Green Patriot Posters is a communications campaign, launched by The Canary Project and its partners, centered on posters that encourage all U.S. citizens to take part in building a sustainable economy. Organizers have commissioned posters from design leaders, and developed an on-line community for sharing and voting on original designs. The favorites will be dis­tributed through multiple channels (print, web, bus ads, licensing, etc.) to reach the widest possible audience. The project launched in Cleveland, Ohio last summer with a series of bus ads designed by world-renowned designer Michael Bierut of Pentagram. For more information, visit www.greenpatriotposters.org.

Garden Update: Hubby is Going Green and Frugal

It was another weekend of yard work, gardening and spreading mulch. There never seems to be a shortage of chores when you have over an acre of land. The garden has quickly become a labor of love.

My husband put lots of potting soil in the garden. As an aside, he is an avid Craigslist shopper. He scored 40 pounds of bagged potting soil for $20. That's 50 cents a bag for what normally costs $2-3 per bag.

As he finished breaking open the bags, he walked over to me, where I was spreading mulch. I had been laying down newspaper to keep the weeds under the mulch at bay. We also put down a large, black plastic weed barrier. So my husband asks, "If we have a sheet of plastic down, why couldn't you use the potting soil bags that are also plastic? Isn't that green and frugal?" Yes!! Here all this time I thought he wasn't paying attention to anything I was doing. No, he totally got it!! So not only did we get a great bargain on the potting soil that we used in our garden, we also recycled the bags, keeping them out of the landfill, by using them to prevent weeds. It's a win-win-win!!

Top 5 Reasons Why the Paper Towel Challenge Isn't Working

Last week I decided that I would try to convert my family from paper towels and napkins in an effort to eliminate some of the waste we generate. What a nightmare!

1. Family Doesn't Buy Into Eliminating Paper Towels
Using our enormous rag box, I created a stash of ready-to-use paper-towel-replacements. Then, the lengthy debate with my husband about why we shouldn't use as many paper products begins. I explain that we're trying to limit our garbage output. My husband says that we're generating more waste water by having to wash the rags constantly. Plus, aren't paper products bio-gradable? Argh! Why can't being green be easy?

2. Increased Laundry By Twofold
I blew through my stash of rags within one day! Between my two-year-old spilling her applesauce, to my five-year-old missing the potty, I thought 20 rags would be more than enough for at least a week. Boy, was I wrong!

3. Rags are Not as Absorbent as Paper Towels
Instead of absorbing liquid, the t-shirt rags more or less just pushed it around. Whereas I would normally use a paper towel or two to clean up a wet mess, I felt like I was using four rags to do the job.

4. Food Stuff Sitting in Your Rag Pile Isn't Very Appealing
Spaghetti sauce, yogurt, eggs -- you don't want these things sitting in your laundry. I do the family's laundry once a week, so I couldn't really let it sit. I found myself doing a load of laundry at least once a day.

5. Kids are Really Messy
I think this experiment may have worked out better if my husband and I were two childless neat freaks. But that is far from the case. I think children under five should automatically come with at least 10 cases of paper towels.

I admit defeat, but I won't go down with out a fight. Yes, I've resided to continuing my paper towel usage. But I've discovered that Marcal has come out with a green paper towel. It's made from recycled materials, which makes me feel every bit better about my excessive paper towel use.

Anything you'd do differently to make it work?

Going Green On A Budget: Finding Money To Be Eco-Friendly

When asked, most people will tell you that they really do want to live a greener, more eco-friendly life. But sometimes, going green costs money.

Things like organic produce, fair trade coffee, and cfl bulbs cost more up front, and for people on a tight budget finding that extra cash can be difficult, if not impossible. And while many of our “green” choices will save us money in the long run, we still need to come up with ways to find the money to get started.

So, how do we do it?

We balance.

For instance, if we decide to spend more on cfl bulbs, we need to cut back on something else to make up for it, right?

Right.

Balancing our budget like this is an easy way to start taking small steps to live a greener life.

So, I’m offering up three easy ways to go green, and some realistic solutions on how you might pay for the added expense. It won’t cost a fortune. In fact, hopefully it won’t cost anything.

Go Green Strategy #1: Buy Fair Trade Coffee

Buying fair trade coffee helps the earth in a number of ways.

First of all, it helps coffee farmers because it gives them a wage they can actually live on. And, fair trade means that the coffee wasn’t harvested using exploited workers or child labor.

It also helps the environment by supporting sustainable farming practices. The land, the wildlife, and the local community are all better off when fair trade is involved.

Here’s how to get started…

Going Green: Fair Trade coffee costs an average of $10-12 per pound, versus $7-$9 per pound of Folgers.

How to Save: Cut out one latte per week at your local coffee shop and you’ve more than made up the difference.

Go Green Strategy #2: Switch to CFL Bulbs

This going green strategy is definitely going to save you money in the long run. CFL bulbs consume 75% less energy than regular bulbs, and last 10 times longer. Fast Company Magazine figures that each CFL bulb will pay for itself in five months.

But, they do cost more up front. CFL bulbs cost around $3 apiece, versus $1 to $1.50 for a regular bulb.

Here’s how to get started…

Going Green: As your regular bulbs burn out, replace them with CFL bulbs.

How to Save: Check with your local energy provider: many companies offer coupons or rebates to offset the costs of transitioning to CFL bulbs. One quick search online yielded savings for people living in Hawaii, Ohio, Texas, and Oregon. And that was only 2 pages into Google. Type on “cfl coupon” to see if your provider offers rebates or tax credits.

You can also save big by purchasing your cfl bulbs in bulk at Costco or Sam’s Club. That’s where I got mine, and I saved a bundle.

Go Green Strategy #3: Get A Programmable Thermostat

According to Energy Star, a programmable thermostat saves the average family $180 per year. I love mine, and can’t imagine not having one. They’re so easy! The temperature goes down to 60 degrees at night, and up to 64 degrees during the day. I don’t have to do a thing. And, my heating bills are much lower than they used to be.

The up front cost of a programmable thermostat is $45-$75, depending on how fancy you go.

Going Green: Replace your regular thermostat with a programmable thermostat.

How To Save: I’ve got a few ideas for this one.

1. Find coupons- Energy Star has a page that searches for coupons or rebates on energy-efficient products. Click here to go right to the search page. You can also Google “programmable thermostat coupon” and see if anything comes up across the web.

2. Eat out one less dinner this month. Savings? $20-$30.

3. Skip the bottled water for two weeks. If you’re paying the premium (like $2 a bottle at the gas station) this can add up pretty quickly.

4. Sell something on Craigslist.

Freebies

Yep, these going green strategies don’t take any balancing at all. They’re free, and will even save you money.

1. Fix That Leak

Better Homes and Gardens says that household water consumption has increased 200% since 1950, even though our population has increased 90%. That’s a lot of water we’re using, but we can trim it down by fixing our leaks. How much can we save?

Well, a dripping faucet can waste 74 gallons every day. And a leaky toilet can waste 200.

If you’ve got a leak, tighten it up. Simple as that.

2. Give Up Papertowels

Think it’s impossible? It isn’t, I promise. I’m trying to do this in my own home right now, and I was struggling until I found this awesome tip from Myscha at WiseBread.com. Her conundrum was the same as the one I currently face; every time I “need” a papertowel, I can never find a rag to use instead. Her solution is simple.

She took one of those hanging sleeves (that normally store plastic grocery bags for reuse) and hung it where her paper towels used to be. Then, she cut up a bunch of old t-shirts that were destined for Goodwill and put them in the hanging sleeve. Now when she “needs” a paper towel she has plenty on hand. After she’s used it, it’s tossed in the wash. Genius! Thanks for the great tip, Msycha.

3. Stretch Your Products Further

I do this all the time at home. Basically, I add water to almost everything to make it go just a bit further. And, I’ve never noticed a decrease in quality in the products I use.

I add water to dish soap, honey, hand soap, face soap, and juice. It’s a super easy way to make your dollar go a bit further.

4. Skip the Ziplocks

Those plastic baggies are not only bad for the environment, but they’re also getting more expensive. Solution? Stop using them! Instead, use reusable Gladware.

5. Buy Used, Buy Used, Buy Used

Need furniture? Check Craigslist. You can buy anything right now, at rock bottom prices. Need a new outfit? Salvation Army, thrift stores, and consignment shops are great places to look. Want that new blockbuster novel? Find it used on Half.com.

There’s something exhilarating about finding great things that no one else wants anymore. I’m an avid Salvation Army shopper, and I must tell you that the thrill of the hunt is partly what draws me there. I have found wonderful things there: interesting paintings, cozy sweaters, fabulous jeans. All of them are treasures. To me, that is. And finding them is great fun.

A great post brought to you by Heather Levin, TheGreenestDollar.com

How to Celebrate Green

Book Review: Celebrate Green!

One area that is rarely considered when you think of going green is celebrations. From baby showers to birthday parties, it's easier to consider green alternatives, especially if you have a copy of the book Celebrate Green!

Overall, the book is an easy read. It's broken down into sections with clear headers, bullet points and call-outs along the margins. Best of all, the book offers low-cost or no-cost ideas as well as recipes. What I really liked (and a key aspect of many of the tips and information that I provide on my blog), these are easy, simple ways to go green. This is key to sticking with anything.

I loved the statistics throughout the book, which really hit home. For example, the book talks about how much paper is thrown away from greeting cards and wrapping paper, and it offers alternatives that are no-brainers.

There are many unique ideas that I learned about for the first time, such as hybrid grills, which use primarily solar power and electricity as a back-up energy source.

Other green celebrations to consider include Halloween, which is where the mother-daughter author team got their start and inspiration for the book. They offer numerous alternatives to giving out candy to trick-or-treaters. As a mom who's concerned with their children's health, who doesn't want to give something other than candy?

As a committed New Years Resolution setter, I loved the idea of green New Years Resolutions. What a great way to improve yourself and make a positive impact on the environment.

While a few celebrations come to mind when you think of parties and gatherings, this book covers the gamut, including graduations, anniversaries, family reunions and office parties. Best of all, at the end of the book is a HUGE list of green resources, which are mentioned throughout the book. In addition, there's also a glossary that provides clear explanations about terms such as biodegradable and earth-friendly (there is a difference, by the way).

I highly recommend Celebrate Green. Let me know if you get a chance to read it and what you think. Best of all, you can choose to have $1 donated to EcoLibris when you buy the book, which ensures a tree is planted for each book sold. Visit CelebrateGreen.net for more information.

Should You Join a Community-Supported Farm?

One of the easiest and healthiest ways to go green is to get your produce locally. Last year, my family had the privilege of joining a local, community-support farm, Catalpa Ridge, and we just received the information to join again this season. As first timers, I have to say that it was a wonderful experience and I highly recommend it. You can find local farmers by visiting www.localharvest.org. There a numerous benefits:

1) Locally grown, organic food -- You can actually taste the difference between a locally grown tomato or peach versus one that may have been imported from another distant location. There's no artificial, chemically taste, just pure, natural fruit and vegetables.

2) Convenience -- The Catalpa Ridge produce is delivered to a local temple each week from June through October, which is conveniently just a quarter of a mile from our home. We could even walk to pick up our fruits and veggies, making membership even greener!

3) Cost -- Now you may automatically assume that buying into a share of a local farm's harvest would be an expensive endeavor. That's not necessarily true. From the first week of June through the last week of October, you receive 5-7 pounds of produce. Last year it cost $500 to buy a share. This year it's increased to $525 if you register early ($575 if you don't). The increase is due to what else -- the current economic conditions, which have increased the costs of fertilizer and other necessities to keep the farm running. All in all, it's approx. $26.25 per week, which comes out to $3.75-$5.25 per pound of fresh, local food. Does it get any greener than that?

4) Variety -- Also known as the spice of life, one of the best parts of joining Catalpa Ridge is the variety of greens, spices and other food that we never would've tried. Everything from butternut squash and green tomatoes to elephant garlic and white peaches. It was really fun to try different greens, including collard greens, mustard greens and endive. We even invested in a Food Saver this year to make sure we use every last piece of produce.

If you don't have the space (or the green thumb) to grow your own produce, this is definitely the next best thing. Stay tuned for more updates!

Review: Simply Face & Body Spa

Okay, so a trip to a new neighborhood spa may seem neither green nor frugal. But, alas, a full-time working mom needs to splurge on a massage every now and then. Plus, I couldn't resist the promotion for any first-time customer -- a one hour massage for $49! If you can find a massage for less than $1 per minute, you've found a bargain.

Simply Face & Body is a new brand division of Red Door Spa Holdings. Their goal is to present spa offerings, products and expertly-trained spa profesions at convenient locations. They mainly offer facials and massages, as well as various types of waxing (e.g., eyebrows, lip, bikini). The premise is to enroll you in a monthly membership, whereby you would receive one facial or massage per month at a rate of $59 per month. As a member, you can also buy additional services and products at a discounted rate.

Now I like the whole concept. But as an eco-frugal gal, unless I receive this membership as a gift, I don't really see it happening for me. (Although I made sure to mention this gift concept to my husband.) But I digress.

After one of the most amazing massages I've ever had, I'm delighted to find out that as one of the first 200 customers, I get a free goodie bag. Score! Not only do I get a discounted massage, I get $29 worth of green products. I received a facial toner, moisturizer and eye cream, all of which are made with certified organic materials. Here's where the green aspect comes in.

Juice Beauty, The Organic Solution -- Hydrating Mist/Toner
While the toner felt great and made my skin tingle, I just couldn't get past the smell. It smelled like my grandma...and not in a good way. But I'm not one to waste free products. I find that my feet enjoy the hydrating mist just as much as my face.



Juice Beauty, The Organic Solution -- Oil-free Moisturizer
I'm all about moisturizer and use it constantly. I found that this lotion took awhile to absorb, and once again, the smell was not great. I like moisturizers to smell incredible, invigorating or calming. I thought as an organic brand, this would smell "green" (whatever "green" smells like). But it left a little more to be desired.



Originitalia -- Villa Floriani - Brightening Eye Repair Cream
A thick rich cream that actually came with a little plastic piece to scoop out the product, this was probably my favorite product of the three. Coincidentally, it was not from the Juice Beauty line, but from a company called Originitalia. It's packaged beautifully, comes unscented and gets the job done. What more can you ask from your free beauty products?


Bottomline: While I'm always tickled pink to get something for free, it's highly unlikely that I would go back and purchase any of these items. I think it's fabulous that Simply Face & Body has partnered with Juice Beauty to offer green products. That said, I'm still contemplating a Simply Face & Body membership. Now I just need to find a $59-a-month savings to justify it!

Have an idea for another green product or business for me to review? Let me know and I'll check it out.

Five Simple Ways You Can Go Green Today

Most people sigh when they hear about “going green” or “living frugally.” But neither one has to take much effort (or cost). Here are quick and easy ways to make a difference today:

1. Wash your clothes in cold water.
   Save your hot water for those heavily soiled loads of clothes. Washing in cold water is just as effective. All you need is the soap and agitating action of the washer. Ninety percent of the energy used by your washer is to heat the water.

2. Bring your own bags to the supermarket.
   Many stores offer very inexpensive tote bags, or you may already have one lying around your home. You’ll help reduce the number of paper and plastic bags. Many towns are trying to ban plastic bags all together.

3. Lower or raise your thermostat (depending on the season).
   You’ll save money and energy by lowering your thermostat 2-3 degrees in the winter (or raising it in the summer). Put on or take off clothing as needed to achieve your ideal temperature.

4. Recycle everything possible.
   From cardboard to aluminum, in many towns recycling is mandatory. If not, you can take on recycling by finding out where you can take your plastic, metal, newspapers and cardboard. Think about how you can reduce the amount of garbage you send to the landfills!

5. Use your good china and cloth napkins.
   Reduce or eliminate the amount of napkins, plastic utensils and paper cups and plates you use. Not only will you save money by not buying these products, these types of paper and plastic end up in the garbage. You’ll save trees, energy and save yourself some money!

Each time you do any one of these actions, you’re saving the earth…and your money!

Having Kids & Going Green – It Can Be Done

I love learning about different ways to go green and to save money. When I had my two children, who are now four and two, I was very interested to see how families can stay environmentally friendly while keeping money in their wallets. Here are some of the ways that I do it:


Cut the Juice
I don’t mean cut the juice out completely, I mean cut it in half. We buy 100% juice whenever possible in the large, plastic jugs, which are good for recycling. Then, we pour half of the juice into another large container and fill both half-filled juice containers with water. This doubles the juice, saving you money, and ensures your kids don’t get as much sugar (even if it is fruit sugar).


Buy Secondhand Whenever Possible
If you’re frugal, then you love a good garage sale. For my family, garage sales are a weekly ritual. We’ve bought toys, clothes, appliances – you name it. It’s saved us tons of money. In addition, we are also regular shoppers of www.ebay.com and www.craigslist.com. Both offer great deals on a variety of items.


Have a Garage Sale or Swap Items with Friends
I know once my children grow out of their clothes or toys, I’m dying to get rid of them. The best way is to hold a garage sale, where you can make some money. Or, ask your family and friends if they need the clothes or toys. You’ll also find that people will ask you if you need toys or clothes for your own children. Always say yes! You never know what you’ll end up needing. Plus, you can always donate items to charity if you end up not using them.


The best way to go green as a family is to teach your children what it means. Get them involved in recycling, gardening and being energy-efficient. It’s the best way to ensure they care for their environment…and learn the meaning of a dollar!