"Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending." -Maria Robinson

This is an ever growing & changing page of tips for greener living and my environmental rants and raves. It had grown so out of control since 2007 that I have archived most of the info...if there is a past post you want, just let me know and I will repost it or you.

Also, please feel free to send me your tips, comments and your own rants or raves! I can't promise to print all of them, but at I try.

August 2011 

Let’s work together to change

the saying “in this economy…”  (which I am personally sick of hearing),

to “in order to live sensibly…”

Right now, frugal is chic, the seniors and their lifestyle are finally in style! Who would have ever thought that would happen?  

 I am sure our parents and our parent’s parents are having one of those “I told you so” moments on a regular basis lately! Many of them have survived many recessions and some even made it through the Great Depression. When I started going green, I also began a change in my overall lifestyle. So, while many are complaining about having to cut back, I have been downshifting for a while now and these are just a few of the things I have learned and none have been painful:

• A rented movie at home is much cheaper and more fun than going out, fighting for a seat in a dark theater of strangers, and listening to strangers talk the whole time (and at home you can pause it for intermission at your own convenience). By the way, whatever happened to intermission?  Some people don’t even have a clue what that is.  These days I think it is just a race to get as many people thru in the shortest amount of time possible.
• Fixing up an old rocking chair (or any other piece of wood furniture) found on the curb really gives you a lot of satisfaction. It also keeps it out of the landfill and lets you pocket the savings.  If you don’t need the old rocker, fix it up and sell it!  (In this economy, you can probably use the extra money.)
• Having friends and family over to your home for a nice dinner instead of going out allows for you to visit for as long as you like without taking up your waitresses time (just be sure to help the hostess clean up).  The bill for dinner at home is usually far cheaper than eating out!
• Have a game night.  Bust out those old games you played when you were a kid, or play cards, you will be amazed at how fun it can be.
• Skip a day at the spa, make your own body scrub (there are tons of easy recipes for this on the web) and let your significant other rub you down!  Not only will this save you a bundle, it is a lot more fun than a stranger rubbing on you!  While you’re at it give yourself a pedicure and/or manicure.  In the time it took you to drive to the salon and wait for your turn, you can be done and proud of your results and the extra $$ in your pocket.
• Try shopping and selling on Craig’s list.  I saw a $100 calculator that I needed for a math class for just $20 (someone beat me to it though), I picked up an art projector for a savings of over $200. Textbooks can be picked up for a fraction of the college bookstore prices. When we remodeled our bathrooms we used the list to either sell or give away the old fixtures, counters and lighting to keep them out of the landfill.
• Speaking of remodeling and refreshing your living space.  Someone else’s “Oops paint” may be the perfect color for the room you are fixing up!  Home Depot, offers up their mistake mixes for as little as $5 a gallon.  These are not always the “greenest” choice, but I feel like it is better to use them, than for them to go into the trash.
• Groceries go on sale in cycles.  Most items, say canned veggies go on “Super Sale” about 4 times a year.  Stock up when the items are at those really low prices and rack up some major savings!