Pull the Plug on Electrical CostsOne can never save enough electric. Yet, the growing concern over the cost of utilities coincides with the growing concern for the health of our planet. This enables a household to cut utility costs while "going green" in ways that are easier than ever before.
Using Pine Needles and Leaves in Your GardenEvery year in autumn, trees shower gardeners with an abundance of falling leaves and pine needles. To not take advantage of them in our gardens is to waste some valuable (and free) renewable resources.
My Frugal Life: Big Savings With Water Heater TimerAs a single mother in 1980, necessity became the mother of invention for me. I had a house built with passive solar windows, and all electric heat, kitchen and water heater.
Microfiber Fabrics Save in the Long RunMicrofiber is the economic solution to cleaning, though it might not seem like it. Microfiber materials are more expensive at the initial point of purchase, but they are long lasting and efficient cleaners.
The Can OpenerIn our house, the Can Opener is King; that's just all there is to it. Now I like to think of myself as a decent housewife or at least an adequate one, but I do admit that most of my cooking skills depend on the contents of a No. 2 can.
Paper Or Plastic Bags?Any interest in the paper vs plastic debate? Comments? I personally prefer paper bags, as they can be recycled curbside (and hold other paper recyclables at the same time), hold more, and come from a renewable resource.
Luxurious LemonsNormally when I shop, I don't fill my cart with bright yellow lemons. Until recently, that is. Now, after reading about the versatility of lemons in a grocery store flyer, lemons are at home in my fridge.
From Freezer's Floor to Garden's DoorSomeone's trash is another woman's treasure! I found these freezer floor grates at a local salvage yard for $5.00. They were just the right height (about 2 feet) for keeping the bunnies from their breakfast! (My vines!)
Looking At Everyday Household Energy UsageI am such a creature of habit that I often do not think of the things I do that use expensive energy and climate changing fuels.
Save Money and Shop NaturalWith today's push to "go green" it's not a bad idea to try some natural products in the home rather than chemical products. Even more motivating is the cost of the natural products versus the man-made ones.
Floppy Disc Case RecyclingA new use for floppy disc cases. For the most part, floppies are no longer useful. However, their cases can be. I just found these for 10 cents at a thrift shop, and can think of several things to do with them.
Have a No Drive Day Each WeekInstitute a no-drive day each week to save on gas and get exercise. We are fortunate to be in walking distance (1-1.5 miles) to just about everything we need. Of course, this won't work for everyone. But for some, you can plan to drive even fewer days a week.
Saving Money on Heating CostsAdvice for saving money on heating costs from the ThriftyFun community. If you have a wood burning stove, this helps run that during the day throughout your home and shut off the oil heat and only use the oil heat at night when you are sleeping.
Using Empty Tape DispensersI finished up the tape in this dispenser today and my brain kicked into overdrive.
Lighten the Fuel LoadA recent CNN report stated that airlines are reducing fuel costs by lightening airplanes. Drinking glasses have been replaced by plastic ones, and any unnecessary item such as an old cooking oven in the stewards' area has been removed.
Cloth Invasion: Use Fabric instead of PaperWhen I was trying to strain my brain to see what more I could do to try and help the earth, I looked around for what we used a lot of and just threw away.
Coffee Container Bird Feeder and Clothes Pin...Here are two tips for the less handy among us, a bird feeder and clothes pin holder made from coffee containers.
Environmentally Friendly Lawn MowersGone are the days when buying an environmentally-friendly lawn mower meant a trip to the local hardware store to pick out an old-fashioned reel-type mower. From cords to cordless, and from reel to robotic, today's carbon conscious lawnscapers have lots of eco-friendly choices.
Getting Rid of Old Tires?We have a barn full of old tires that we "inherited" when we purchased our property. We have called around to tire recycling centers, but they want so much per tire. Does anyone know how we can dispose of them safely and economically?
Reusing Racks and Bins from RefrigeratorsGreat re-use idea! A friend was discarding an expensive, but old refrigerator. I asked for the bins which I use to wash things outside, and I asked for the wire shelves.
E-Cycling EconomicsThe green movement is in full swing, and while it might be great for our planet, it might not be so great for our wallets. A growing concern involves e-cycling, recycling electronic products which seep chemical poisons into the ground beneath the dumps.
Electrical Savings 102Think you've mastered electrical savings? Take another look around your home and find even more places to pull the plug and keep the meter from spinning.
Electricity Savings 101There are more than a few ways to keep the electric meter from spinning at an alarming rate. Some require a little electrical inventory, such as turning off unused appliances or switching to Energy Star appliances. However, others take a bit more creativity and planning.
Safer Use of PlasticsPlastic is everywhere. We eat from it, drink from it, build with it, and our children play with toys made from it. Some of us even wear it. Unfortunately, the production, use, and disposal of plastics are all fraught with serious health and environmental consequences.
Going Green Without Going BrokeWhile global warming and resource depletion is justifiably concerning, so is the cost of fixing it. There are so many energy efficient ideas, but the average family isn't replacing their car or changing their heating system just yet.
Save Boxes and Cans for Craft TimeStart a new habit. Rinse cans and flatten boxes for a week and put aside until you have "craft time".
Decorating Old Wooden WindowsIdeas for decorating old wooden windows, for inside and outside use. Advice as suggested by the ThriftyFun community.
Greening the Exterior of Your HomePart of home maintenance is maintaining the exterior. As projects come up (and they always do), why not use the opportunity to go green?
Environmentally Friendly Way to Get Rid of Grass?I need some advice for making a grass-free environment, it's for business purposes. We need to keep the soil but without any grass growing on it. We have been using round up for quite a long time but only killed the grass after each application, and it comes back soon after rain.
Will Birds Use Old Nests?I have bird nests in some of my trees that were left over from last year. Should I take them down, or will birds use them again even though they didn't make them?
Origami Garbage BinAnother neat way to recycle newspapers is to fold an origami garbage bin! I have only managed to make one so far. Because I don't subscribe to the local newspaper, I made mine from an advertising poster.
Recycling Christmas TreesOver 33 million real Christmas trees are sold in North America every year, and according to the National Christmas Tree Association, 93% of consumers who use real Christmas trees recycle them using some type of community program.
Uses for Old TiresWays to reuse old tires as posted by the ThriftyFun community. I made a hanging table with a tire. I bought a wood round the size of the tire. I drilled 4 holes through the wood and the tire. and hung it with heavy duty chain.
Clean and Green BathroomsThere's two ways to add green to your cleaning routine, save money and save the planet. Get rid of those harsh and expensive chemical cleaners and look at a whole new way of cleaning the house. Start with what's probably the first room that comes to mind, the bathroom.
Solar Lights For Indoor LightingWhen I lived with two roommates, we had little extra spending money. We were always looking for ways to save a buck or two. Electricity was one area where we thought we had done enough, but we were wrong!
PreCycling: Saving Money While Reducing WasteEvery week, the average American generates around 23 lbs of waste. A large portion of that comes from the packaging of products we buy.
Saving Money and Saving the EnvironmentOne great thing about frugal living is that being frugal tends to lower your impact on the environment. In honor of Earth Day, we have collected some favorite money saving tips that are also good for the environment.
Is Bottled Water Worth It?With wholesale sales exceeding $10 billion dollars in 2005, the bottled water industry is booming. And it doesn't show signs of slowing down anytime soon.
Why Radon Should Be On Everyone's RadarAccording to the Surgeon General, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States-second only to smoking. For non-smokers it ranks number one. You may not realize it, but you and your family are likely to get your greatest exposure to radon at home.
Save the Earth, One Paper Towel at a Time!You can save money and reduce waste by using hand towels and washcloths in your kitchen. I use the hand towels to dry my hands from numerous washings during meal prep and etc., when damp simply change it out with a new one.
Clean Beaches Begin At HomeOver 180 million Americans visit beaches each year to escape the sweltering summer heat. As global temperatures continue to rise, that number is bound to increase. Whether you cool off in the ocean or take a dip in your local swimming hole, assuming the water is clean and safe to swim in is no longer just another day at the beach.
Uses for Old Watches?Creative ideas for reusing old and broken watches from our ThriftyFun community.
Uses for Frozen Juice Concentrate LidsHate to throw out the metal disks that come from the ends of frozen juice concentrate "tubes"? They're such a nice heavy-duty metal with no sharp edges. Here are some recycling ideas from our creative ThriftyFun community.
Organic Produce DeliveryI've been wanting to feed my family more organic fruits and vegetables but I always get sticker shock when I am in the supermarket. I decided to sign up for organic delivery with a local company.
Activism: Staying Passionate About Your...It's been said that the world is made up of 4 types of people. Which type of person are you?
Twelve Ways to Get Rid of Your Old BooksAs a writer (and literary packrat), I periodically find my nightstand and the shelves of my office bookcases sagging under the weight of enormous stacks of books.
Steve Irwin "Crocodile Hunter" - Online MemorialMy family has been deeply saddened by the death of Steve. We would like to express our sympathy to our Aussie friends and to all of the people who loved him....worldwide. He truly was "one of a kind".
Getting Started in Solar Electric PowerWhen it comes to solar power, most people are interested in it, but they have no idea how to get started. For those that decide to forge ahead and explore their options, many become intimidated by the all of the confusing terminology or abandon their solar aspirations early fearing a hefty price tag.
Green GrillingEven the simplest activities can have a substantial impact on the environment, including firing up the backyard grill. With outdoor activities in full swing, here are some tips for making those summertime barbeques green and guilt-free.
10 Things You Can Do Right Now to Fight Global WarmingThe debate is over. Scientists agree that planet Earth is in the middle of a warming cycle and human activities that dump CO2 into the atmosphere are helping to turn up the heat. With melting glaciers, more intense weather patterns and vanishing species, we're already starting to see the consequences of rising temperatures.
Make a File Box from a Detergent BoxI transformed a family size Tide detergent box into a file box. I attached teabag envelopes to the outside to indicate the contents of the box. I put ribbons through the handle.
How to Conserve Small, Medium & Large Amounts of EnergyWith oil and gasoline prices on the rise, conserving energy is on the mind of many Americans. As a nation, we're being asked to do our part to cut back on the amount of energy we consume. Here are some easy energy conservation strategies that can save you money.
Preventing Stormwater Runoff PollutionSpring is here and that means runoff. Precipitation from melting snow and spring rains that does not naturally soak into the ground flows across impervious surfaces like our rooftops, driveways, sidewalks and streets and picks up a variety of potentially polluting materials along the way.
Alternatives to Backyard BurningI grew up in a rural community in the 1970s and 80s with a burn barrel in the backyard. Like most of our neighbors, our family burned trash in an effort to minimize costly trips to the dump. As a kid, it was one of my favorite chores. I mean, what kid doesn't like being asked to light stuff on fire?
Plan a Party for Earth DaySaturday, April 22, 2006, will mark the 36th annual Earth Day. Why not resolve to spend the day in the most Earth friendly way possible. Lead the way by throwing an Earth Day party to show your support for protecting the environment. Here are some ideas on how to throw a party for the planet:
Guidelines for Green Building and RemodelingIf you have a building or remodeling project in your future, consider the benefits of going green. It's a common misperception to think that incorporating environmentally friendly measures into your project will cost more, but that isn't usually the case. In fact, even if you're on a tight budget, many elements of sustainable building and remodeling can be incorporated into your project with minimal (sometimes zero) upfront costs.
FAQ's About Organic FoodAs more and more supermarkets across North America respond to the growing consumer demand for healthy foods, foods grown organically will become even more affordable and accessible to the average supermarket shopper.
Ellen's Tips for Conserving WaterPracticing water conservation saves you money, protects the health of your family and reduces the risk of damaging your access to quality drinking water. Water conservation also prevents water pollution-which hurts the environment and ultimately costs money to remedy.
Protecting Birds from Striking WindowsThe Audubon Society estimates that in the United States and Canada, as many as 1 billion birds die each year due to collisions with glass. Collisions that don't end in fatalities often leave birds temporarily stunned and vulnerable to predators, or worse, seriously injured.
Fishing for Sustainable SeafoodWith all of the media attention over the past few years regarding toxin levels in fish and controversies on over-fishing and fish farming, it's almost become easier to avoid eating fish and shellfish than trying to sort through the facts.
Bioplastics: Growing Plastic from PlantsA new generation of disposable plastic has arrived and it's going to revolutionize the way we produce and dispose of thousands of products.
Resolutions for a Green New YearAnother year has come and gone and once again we are given the opportunity to wipe the slate clean and have a chance to adopt healthy new habits and new ways of being.
Holiday Entertaining with Sustainable StyleWith the endless holiday festivities, American's waistlines aren't the only thing expanding during the holidays. Our landfills are, too. We throw out a staggering 25% more garbage during the period from Thanksgiving to New Years.
Reusing a Broken ArborI reused my arbor that broke and made use of the lattice on my porch.
Recycling Metal, Paper, Plastics and GlassRecycling is slightly more complicated than just collecting a bin full of empty cans and old newspapers to keep them out of the waste stream.
Compact Fluorescent Bulbs - Fight Global Warming...According to the EPA, if every household in the U.S. replaced one light bulb with one of their ENERGY STAR rated compact fluorescent bulbs, it would be the pollution equivalent of pulling one million cars off the road.
Battery Basics - Reduce, Recharge and Recycle!Household batteries include both single-use and rechargeable dry cell batteries used to power toys, cameras, radios, flashlights, hearing aids, and many other portable products.
Buying Organic FoodI have a friend who buys all organic food. What does it mean when they slap an organic label on a package? Is it actually better or just packaging?
The Ecology of Your CarWhen you consider that there are well over 600 million cars on the road worldwide, you begin to understand how a few negative driving and maintenance habits can add up to large environmental damage. Lessen your car's impact on the environment by following these driving and maintenance tips:
Tips for Traveling GreenEven with the best of intentions, it's easy to generate waste and pollution while traveling. By following a few simple guidelines, you can reduce your impact on the environment and save money at the same time.
Disposing of Household Hazardous WasteAccording to the EPA, the average American household produces around 160 pounds of hazardous waste per year. Much of that waste comes from common household products.
Brew a Cup of Fair Trade CoffeeIt's difficult to imagine that one cup of coffee can make a huge impact on the environment. However, it can. Especially if the beans used to make that cup of coffee are Fair Trade, Shade Grown and Organic.
A Guide to Non-Toxic CleaningIf you're like me, one trip down the cleaning products aisle at your local grocery store can leave your eyes burning, your head pounding and leave you gasping for fresh air.
A Primer on PaintAccording to the EPA, our indoor air is up to 3 times more polluted than our outdoor air and paints and finishes are among the biggest contributor. Just about all of us have a shelf in the basement or a cabinet in the garage containing paint cans leftover from past projects.
Save Energy With TreesAccording to the Department of Energy, strategic planting of as few as three trees can provide the average household with an energy savings of between $100-$250 annually. It may be the best long-term investment for reducing heating and cooling costs.
