If your New Year’s resolution is to go green, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to discover that you’ll also save some green. How many of these earth friendly ideas will you try this year?

The Return of the Clothesline – Start using a clothesline, and you’ll save nearly 6% on your monthly electric bill according to the Department of Energy…plus your house will be quieter & cooler! If your city or homeowners association prohibits clotheslines, your best option is a clothes drying rack (available at Target, Walmart and Bed Bath & Beyond for about $30). I use my drying rack until the clothes are almost dry, and then I pop them in the dryer for about 10 minutes to fluff them up. So, let’s do the math…if your monthly electric bill is $200, your friend the clothesline just saved you about $12 a month & $144 a year!

Burn Calories, Not Gas – Walking or riding bikes is budget friendly, earth friendly and figure friendly…so, what do you have to lose? Maybe a few pounds???? Let’s here it for pedal power!

Consider Carpools – Could you organize a carpool for work, school or after school activities? You’ll save both time and gas!

Plan Ahead – Are you guilty of running errands every single day or making two trips to the store because you didn’t make a list? There’s more to life than errands, and planning ahead will save you both time and gas money.

Slow Down – Driving 65 miles per hour uses 15% more gas than driving 55 miles per hour – that’s like paying 40 cents more per gallon! Of course, you’ll likely be the only one on the highway going 55!

Pay Bills Online – Save trees, save stamps, save money!

Find a Farmer’s Market – Discover your local farmer’s market, and your budget will love the prices and you’ll love the fresh taste of just picked produce! To find a farmer’s market near you, visit LocalHarvest.org and enter your zip code.

Stop Junk Mail – Save trees, save your sanity! It only takes a minute to visit DMAChoice.org to remove your name from mailing lists for catalogs, insurance offers and more!

Reusable Lunch Containers – Instead of a brown bag, carry a lunch box. Instead of zip top bags, invest in reusable bags. You’ll spend a little money upfront, but you’ll save money in the long run.

Stop Buying Bottled Water – Bottled water has become the American way, and up until a few years ago…I was guilty of buying a 24-pack every single week! WOW…that’s $4 a week, $16 a month and $208 a year for WATER! Stop buying bottled water and start buying refillable bottles for your family to take to work, school and sports.

Unplug – Phantom Electricity is the electricity that is used when a device is plugged in but not in use. For example…you leave your cell phone charger plugged in all the time, but you only charge your phone every few days…did you know that your charger is still using electricity when it is plugged in but not charging? This is “Phantom Electricity”, and little bits are being used throughout your home everyday hence the name “phantom.” Wasted electricity is not earth friendly, and wasted electricity is wasting your money!

Recycle, Recycle, Recycle – If you’re not recycling, this is a great week to start! The first step is to have a system and make sure everybody in your family understands it! The Budget Diet girl’s system is two trash cans in the kitchen – one for recycling and one for trash. After a few weeks, recycling will become a habit, and your neighbors will be green with envy when you only have one small bag of trash each week!

Homemade Cleaning Products – Make the switch to homemade cleaning products that cost pennies to make and clean just as well without harsh chemicals. Try these recipes for homemade cleaning products.

Repurpose – Look twice at things before throwing them away! Could you cut off the fronts of some of your Christmas cards to use a gift tags next year? Could you paint an old piece of furniture or spray paint a chandelier to give it new life?

Free Plants – free plants are almost always available on Craigslist and Freecycle.

Save a Stamp – pay bills online

Compost

GO GREEN AND SAVE SOME GREEN!

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Image courtesy of: digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Who doesn’t want a clean home and a safer environment in which to live?

Whether it is the bathroom, living room, kitchen, or other rooms in one’s residence, everyone has to clean at one time or another. With the economy still struggling along, finding affordable cleaners can be as easy as purchasing or making products right in the home that are friendlier towards the environment.

In the event that you find yourself tiring of spending money on brand-name cleaning products–while feeling concerned they may be doing more harm than good for both you and the environment–there are alternatives to consider.

Before using homemade products, however, remember to always keep all formulas well-labeled and where children and/or your pets cannot access them.

Such household cleaning products include:

Baking Soda -  Replace your scouring powder with baking soda!  It’s less abrasive, chemical free and cheap!   Simply sprinkle it in your sink or tub, scrub and rinse.

Vinegar - Use vinegar to make your own window cleaner that won’t leave a residue behind!  Mix together in a 16-ounce spray bottle:

• 2 cups water
• ¼ cup white vinegar
• ½ teaspoon dish detergent

Lemon – This product works wonders against the majority of household bacteria, including those germs that are oftentimes found in one’s kitchen and bathroom. Not only are you left with cleaner counters, but you also enjoy a better smelling room.

Borax- Using this ingredient, you are able to clean, deodorize, and disinfect simultaneously.  Try this recipe for a homemade all-purpose cleaner:

• 2 cups warm water
• 3 tablespoons white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon borax
• 1-2 drops lemon essential oil (optional)

Mix the vinegar and borax in a 16-ounce spray bottle, then add the water and shake until it’s mixed well. Add a couple drops of lemon oil to add a fresh scent.

Cornstarch – This product can be put to the test cleaning items like furniture, windows, and to shampoo rugs and carpets.

Microfiber cloths – Great for lifting off dirt, these also remove grease without the need for cleaning chemicals. The cloth goes deep into areas in need of cleaning, trapping the dirt. Finding the right cloth can last you an endless amount of cleaning occasions.

Combine hydrogen peroxide and water – In order to go after mold in bathroom tiles and on counter surfaces, combine one part hydrogen peroxide (3%) with two parts water in a spray bottle and spray on areas with mold. Not only is mold unattractive, but it can impact your health by exposing your lungs to harmful materials.

Combine white vinegar and water – Another thing that teams well with water for cleaning purposes is white vinegar. The goal here is to combine equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray the combined ingredients directly on a stain such as those on carpets, let sit for a few minutes, and clean with a brush or sponge using warm soapy water.

Battle clogs in your household drains – It is not uncommon for kitchen sinks and bathtubs to get clogged up from food particles, hair, etc. In order to deal with such smaller problems, put 1/2 cup salt in 4 liters water, heat, and apply to the drain. For tougher cleaning battles, pour approximately 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain, then 1/2 cup vinegar. The resulting chemical reaction can attack fatty acids and break them down into soap and glycerine, allowing the clog to move down the drain. After approximately 15 minutes, pour in boiling water to break up residue. This method should only be used in cases of metal plumbing. Individuals should also avoid this method following the usage of a commercial drain opener, as the vinegar can mix with the drain opener, resulting in dangerous fumes.

Polish away the dirt – When you want to polish your furniture, simply add several drops of lemon oil into 1/2 cup warm water. Mix the ingredients well and spray onto a soft, damp cotton cloth. Wipe the furniture with the cloth, finishing up by wiping once more with a dry soft cotton cloth.

Don’t unnecessarily throw away reusable bottles – Many cleaning products that you purchase in stores can be reused time and time again. Among those items are dish cleaners sold in plastic squeeze bottles. In order to save money over time, take the empty bottles and refill them with a variety of other cleansers you make from home. Not only are you saving money, but it is one less product for the local landfill.

Cleaning household gutters and spouts – For those who own a home, cleaning out the guttersand spouts is a yearly chore, especially in areas of the country where leaves drop in the fall. All the necessary tools for this type of cleaning can be found right in your home. Two of the best means are using your gardening hose or doing it by hand. If you choose to do it by hand from a ladder, simply slide a narrow item such as a kitchen spatula into the gutter and drag along while wearing gloves to clean out leaves, twigs, and other debris. On the other hand, you can use a gardening hose to flush out any clogs.

When all is said and done, making countless trips to the store for this and that cleaning product can get tiresome and downright expensive. Simple items such as vinegar, baking soda, rubbing alcohol, borax, and your garden hose can save you money and lessen the potential health risks in your home for you and your family.

Keep in mind that one in three people suffer from allergies, asthma, sinusitis, or bronchitis (U.S. National Center for Health Statistics). Lessening the amount of synthetic chemicals in the home environment and using more of what you already have inside your residence is just one way to treat these types of conditions.

Improved health and a bigger wallet….that’s a combination that is nothing to sneeze over.

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Photo credit: inhabitots.com

With 23 years of experience as a writer, Dave Thomas covers a wide array of topics ranging from helpful households tips to how to live a healthier life.

Recycling really does pay…it’s both earth friendly and budget friendly! Check out the stores with recycling programs that pay you cash or give you discounts.

Best Buy – Reusing is even better than recycling! The Best Buy Trade-In Program allows you to swap used (even broken) laptops, cell phones, cameras, computers, iPods and more for a Best Buy Gift Card. Of course, if the item is broken you won’t get much, and if it’s totally worthless at least they’ll recycle it for you.

Gazelle.com – Gazelle offers a similar program to Best Buy, but it’s all handled online. Enter the specifics about your item, they’ll give you a quote and if you accept the quote…they’ll send you a postage paid box for shipping. It couldn’t be easier!


 
 
 
 
 
Staples, Office Depot & Office Max – Earn rewards points in exchange for recycling your ink cartridges.

Starbucks – Get a 10-cents discount if you bring in a reusable mug or cup.

Sell Your Stuff – You know the saying, “one mans trash is another man’s treasure.” Think twice before you throw something away because you might be able to sell it, and you almost always can find a welcome recipient at places like Goodwill and The Salvation Army. I just made nearly $3000 at our moving/garage sale. In fact, according to Cari Cucksey (HGTV’s Cash & Cari), “the average family has several thousand dollars worth of unwanted stuff lying around.” Isn’t that enough to motivate you to clean-out?

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Image courtesy of: digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Photo courtesy of Free Web Photos
Happy Earth Day!

Did you know that frugal living and green living often go hand in hand? Check out these 10 simple earth friendly ideas that will save you money and save Mother Earth!

1. The Return of the Clothesline – Start using a clothesline, and you’ll save nearly 6% on your monthly electric bill according to the Department of Energy…plus your house will be quieter & cooler! If your city or homeowners association prohibits clotheslines, your best option is a clothes drying rack for around $30 from Amazon. I use my drying rack until the clothes are almost dry, and then I pop them in the dryer for about 10 minutes to fluff them up. So, let’s do the math…if your monthly electric bill is $200, your friend the clothesline just saved you about $12 a month & $144 a year! Every little bit adds up!
2. Burn Calories, Not Gas – Walking or riding bikes is budget friendly, earth friendly and figure friendly…so, what do you have to lose? Maybe a few pounds???? Let’s here it for pedal power!
3. Pay Bills Online – Save trees, save stamps, save money! Once you get in the habit, it’s easy!
4. Find a Farmer’s Market – Discover your local farmer’s market – your budget will love the prices, and you’ll love the fresh taste of just picked produce! To find a farmer’s market near you, visit LocalHarvest.org and enter your zip code.
5. Stop Junk Mail – Save trees, save your sanity! It only takes a minute to visit DMAChoice.org to remove your name from mailing lists for catalogs, insurance offers and more! If you can’t stand to give up your catalogs, try the free Google Catalog app and browse hundreds of catalogs online. The Google Catalog app even has a great feature that allows you to mark your favorites!
6. Reusable Lunch Containers – Instead of a brown bag, carry a lunch box. Instead of zip top bags, invest in reusable snack and sandwich bags. You’ll spend a little money upfront, but you’ll save money in the long run.
7. Stop Buying Bottled Water – Bottled water has become the American way, and up until three years ago…I was guilty of buying a 24-pack every single week! WOW…that’s $4 a week, $16 a month and $208 a year for WATER! Stop buying bottled water and start buying refillable bottles for your family to take to work, school and sports. Try T.J. Maxx or Marshall’s for inexpensive refillable bottles.
8. Unplug – Phantom Electricity is the electricity that is used when a device is plugged in but not in use. For example…you leave your cell phone charger plugged in all the time, but you only charge your phone every few days…did you know that your charger is still using electricity when it is plugged in but not charging? This is “Phantom Electricity”, and little bits are being used throughout your home everyday hence the name “phantom.” Wasted electricity is not earth friendly, and wasted electricity is wasting your money!
9. Recycle, Recycle, Recycle – If you’re not recycling, this is a great week to start! The first step is to have a system and make sure everybody in your family understands it! Our family actually has far more recycling than trash, so my son suggested that we use the big trash can in the pantry for recycling, and the little trash can under the sink for trash. After a few weeks, recycling will become a habit, and your neighbors will be green with envy when you only have one small bag of trash each week!
10. Homemade Cleaning Products – Make the switch to homemade cleaning products that cost pennies to make and clean just as well without harsh chemicals. Try these recipes for homemade cleaning products.

In celebration of Earth Week, challenge your family to adopt just one of these earth friendly ideas!

SAVE MONEY, SAVE MOTHER EARTH!

Next time your drain or sink is clogged, don’t waste time and money running to the store to buy Liquid Plumr or Drano. You’ll get great results with 2 simple ingredients that I’ll bet are in your pantry: baking soda and vinegar! It’s cheap, it’s easy and it’s the natural way to unclog a drain.
 
 
How to Unclog a Drain with Baking Soda and Vinegar

• Supplies needed:
• 1/2 cup baking soda
• 1/2 cup vinegar
• rag
• 4 cups boiling water

1. Directions:
2. Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the clogged drain or sink.
3. Pour 1/2 cup of vinegar down the clogged drain or sink – you’ll instantly see a “volcano” erupting in your sink!
4. Immediately stuff the rag into the drain, it’s important not to let the baking soda and vinegar mixture escape!
5. Let sit 30 minutes.
6. Boil 4 cups of water.
7. Remove the rag.
8. Slowly pour the boiling water down the drain.
9. That’s it, your clog should be gone!
10. Repeat if necessary. Note: I’ve been using this method for about a year with great results on the first try!

 
Now that you know how to unclog your drain naturally, say goodbye to Liquid Plumr and Drano! If the problem still persists after doing the steps above it’s time to call for a professional blocked drain plumber to unclog your drain.

Pleave a comment to let me know if you’ve had success with the baking soda and vinegar method.

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Image courtesy: winnond / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Reduce, Reuse and Save…we’ve all heard it, some of us live it, but what does it really mean? Did you know if you make an effort to reduce waste, you’ll be saving Mother Earth and saving money! Most earth friendly ideas are budget friendly.

Think about it…if you stopped buying a $5 case of bottled water each week and switched to a reusable water bottle, you’d save $20 a month and $240 a year!

According to the EPA, the average American school-age child throws away 67 pounds of lunch waste a year. With the population of kids in the US alone accounting for over 70 million, that’s over 4.6 billion pounds of waste that could be easily avoided by switching to reusable lunch containers.

When you think of a reusable lunch container, you probably think of using a lunch box instead of a brown bag. Well, switching from a brown bag is a good start, but let me introduce you to some great options, so you can kick the plastic baggie habit!

The folks at ReUseIt.com recently sent my teenage daughter a set of Bento Buddies, so she could kick the plastic baggie habit! She has one for her sandwich and three different sizes for snacks. Peanut Butter & Celery is her new favorite lunchtime snack that was made possible by her Bento Box lunch kit! Just imagine peanut butter and celery in a plasic baggie…messy!

Think of the savings with your Bento Buddies lunch kit…

You can buy a big jar of applesauce rather than overspending on those little containers.

Say goodbye to the overpriced individual bags of chips and crackers, and say hello to your Bento Buddie medium sized container!

No need for expensive individual containers of salad dressing because you can easily pack dressings and dips for healthy salads and veggies in the Bento Buddie small container.

Of course, you won’t need to buy those little plastic baggies every month!

If you make an effort, you’ll discover there really are reuseables for every area of your live.

Reduce, Reuse and SAVE MONEY!

When economic times get tough, sometimes even the best of intentions can go out the window. Living green can sometimes seem hard to do if it exacts too high a price. Fortunately, there are ways to protect the planet while also saving money. When driving a car there are certain things a driver can do that not only are good for the environment but will also keep their pocketbook healthy.

While driving

There are several measures that can be taken from behind the wheel. It might require changing some driving habits, but most of them will reduce the amount of gasoline being used which will also reduce emissions and save money.

• No speeding – Gas mileage begins to decrease at speeds in excess of 60 miles per hour. Maintaining a constant speed also helps, so use cruise control during long stretches of straightaway driving, such as a highway.
• Navigate – Getting lost can be a major waste of gasoline. If the car does not have its own navigation system, invest in a portable global positioning system (GPS). When driving to new or unknown locations, be sure to input the address.
• Don’t idle – Turn the engine off when stopping at the store or when waiting for passengers to arrive. Idling burns fuel unnecessarily.
• Be gradual – Don’t make quick starts or stops. Accelerate gradually from a standstill and coast up to stops before applying the brakes.
• Leave the baggage behind – Remove any unnecessary items from the trunk or the back of the vehicle. Hauling around extra weight causes the engine to work harder and use more gas.

Before leaving

Maintaining the vehicle can improve gas mileage and save on costly long-term repairs.

• Air filter – Regularly check the air filter to make sure it is not dirty or plugged. Replace when necessary.
• Check the tires – Tire pressure can play an important role in the operation of the vehicle. If they are inflated to the recommended levels it will improve fuel efficiency and provide them a longer life. Don’t over inflate as this will cause a safety hazard.
• Get in tune – Have the engine tuned if it seems to be performing poorly. If an oxygen sensor becomes faulty it should be changed as soon as possible as one that has failed will cause a dramatic drop in gas mileage.
• Plan it out – Before taking off on a round of errands, plan the route out so as to avoid backtracking. Try to chain the stops together one after another. If it’s possible to park in one place and walk to several stops that’s even better.

Trying to save money in a bad economy doesn’t mean having to compromise principals devoted to being good to the environment. No driver needs to feel like they sold out the Earth for a few bucks. By applying common sense driving techniques and keeping a vehicle properly maintained, money as well as the planet can be saved.

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This is a guest post from Jane Simpson, who believes it’s possible to be green and save money at the same. Her budget won’t stretch to an expensive eco car, but she used a car payment calculator to help purchase a used car she can afford. She uses the tips in this post to reduce her gas consumption, and believes we can all make simple changes to our driving habits to help the environment.

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Image courstesy of: Paul / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Lemons come from the citrus family, and provides a very useful and nutrient rich liquid when squeezed or boiled. Lemon juice, either when concentrated or in its natural strength, is a rich and very potent source of Vitamin C, and has many health and beauty benefits.

Lemon juice comes loaded with flavonoids, the most powerful antioxidants in the world, known to fight so many diseases, especially age-related health complications, heart diseases, and cancer. As if that is not enough, fresh lemon juice is a very useful and practical beauty product, for both hair and skin care remedies. Check out the top 5 uses of lemon juice.

1. Lemon Juice forWeight Loss
   Mix together a half liter of lemon Juice with 2-3 teaspoons of honey, and drink at least three times a day – preferably on an empty stomach before breakfast, lunch, and supper. This mixture has proven a very effective weight loss remedy. Lemon juice in this case acts as a natural bowel cleanser by getting rid of accumulated toxins in the intestinal walls and stimulating bowel movements. As a result, all digestive related complications such as nausea, gas, and constipation, are eliminated. Likewise, when someone is having kidney stones, the juice elevates urinary citrate levels, which helps prevent the formation of stones by helping them dissolve easily and rapidly.
2. Lemon Juice for Shiny Hair
   Lemon juice has proven effective in treating dull hair, and hair that is in stunted growth. The juice can be applied directly on the hair to give it that natural lustrous shine. After washing your hair, thoroughly apply the lemon juice and leave for 15-20 minutes before rinsing it out. It can also be applied on scalp to help get rid of dandruff. This is best done when the scalp is still dry. Apply lemon juice evenly on the scalp while gently rubbing it in, leave for 15-20 minutes, and wash your hair as you would normally.
3. Lemon Juice for Skin Care
   If you are suffering from eczema, acne, blackheads, whiteheads or your skin is sun damaged…you have a reason to smile because this natural remedy has proven very effective when used regularly. The rich antioxidants in lemon juice help flush out harmful toxins thus replenishing the skin and preventing premature aging and wrinkle formation. For best results, take a fresh lemon and rub it gently on your face and all affected areas at bedtime. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes and cleanse it off with cool distilled water. Pat dry and then moisturize your face with your normal moisturizer.
4. Lemon for Stress Relief
   Additional health benefits of lemons include stress relief. It has proven very effective in relaxing and cleansing the whole body, mind, and soul, especially when used during aromatherapy. Lemon oil is best used for aromatherapy.
5. Lemon Juice for Cleaning
   Tackle stubborn stains by dipping a cloth in lemon juice and rubbing it on the stain until removed. Rinse. It’s an inexpensive and chemical free alternative!

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written by:
Avina Walker

Avina is a contributor for the site Ultimate Cosmetics where you can learn some useful beauty tips .

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Image courtesy of: Suat Eman / FreeDigitalPhotos.net