• If green products are worth the extra cost
• The number one tip for buying green products on a limited budget
• Tips for buying green products on a limited budget

Besides the above choices there are other ways to find affordable green products. Such as:

Shop around. Like any products, green goods cost less at some places than others. If you’re not shopping around you’re likely not getting the best deal. To find a variety of green stores visit the National Green Pages and the Organic Consumers Association / GreenPeople Directory.

Look at regular vs. specialty stores: I do believe that it’s cool to support all natural, all green companies BUT these places often carry products you can find elsewhere cheaper. For example a green cleaner at Whole Foods or a local co-op may cost $6 while at a regular grocery store’s natural section it’ll cost $5. This isn’t always true, that regular stores cost less, but it’s a trend I’ve noticed going on a lot.

Buy organic and green house brands: Staples recycled folders may cost less than an all over green paper company brand folder. Safeway brand organic jam is cheaper than a national organic brand.

Buy concentrated and bulk: The bigger the amount, the more concentrated the cleaner, the better the price. For example, a big ol’ bottle of concentrate Orange Plus Earth Friendly Cleaner is way less expensive than the smaller one time bottle and it’s greener because you can use the same bottle over and over to make more.

Use coupons and shop sales: When green products go on sale it’s a big deal. Buy a couple of items, if you like it, when you find them on sale. As for coupons check out the following places for good ones:

• Product websites – like Seventh Generation for example offers coupons. Many green product websites offer coupons frequently.
• Ecobunga
• Mambo sprouts

What other ways can you save on green products?

[stock.xchng]

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

First read: The number one tip for buying green products on a limited budget

Other ways I’m able to afford green products on a slim budget…

I DON’T USE THE “I HAVE KIDS EXCUSE”:

Kids are so expensive and need so much stuff. We hear it again and again. In reality they don’t need so much stuff. Babies can co-sleep (no crib), breastfeed, and eat homemade baby food. Plus babies find toys boring and free stuff like laundry baskets super cool. Older kids do tend to want more stuff, but it’s all in how you approach it. Kids can be smart green consumers. Kids can also understand that you’ve got so much money earmarked for organic apples and this month an extra toy is out.

So yeah, I have a kid, but I don’t use him as an excuse to not buy green. Cedar’s been taught from an early age that we have green priorities and some of those priorities require some sacrifice. Does he ever complain? Sure, all kids do. Cedar sometimes freaks because he wants some non-green useless product but most of the time he doesn’t. As a parent you need to stick to your priorities and know that a healthy green planet is better in the long run for your child than extra junk they want on a whim. Read How Kids Can Be Smart Consumers for tips on how to get your kids on board.

WE USE REUSABLE ITEMS ALMOST ALL THE TIME:

More often than not we buy reusable and long lasting items over short-term disposable items. When you buy something that needs to be replaced on a schedule it’s a waste of money.

For example, we don’t buy paper towels, paper napkins, plastic wrap, coffee filters, ice pops in boxes, bottled water, water filters (because our tap water is a-ok), store bought cleaners, paper muffin cups, plastic bottles of hand soap, and so on. If there’s a reusable item that can be used instead of a throw-away item we use it. For example, reusable food containers, ice pop molds, reusable baggies, silicone muffin cups, reusable coffee filters, and refillable water bottles. See more reusable items. Reusable items do cost more up front, but since they rarely need to be replaced you’re spending less all the time than if you continually bought disposable goods.

WE TRY TO BE CRAFTY:

Homemade items like organic sugar scrubs and homemade natural cleaners are also greener, healthier, and cost less than store bought. You can make a lot of stuff instead of buying it. For example…

• Homemade Popsicle Recipes & Ideas
• 7 Green Summer Toys You Can Make Yourself
• Eco-friendly & affordable DIY play kitchen
• Homemade Eco Gifts
• DIY Cardboard Dollhouse
• Make Your Own Oilcloth Bags
• And more…

WE EAT MOSTLY VEGETARIAN AND COOK:

We don’t eat any red meat or pork and very little poultry or fish. My son was raised vegetarian and just recently ate chicken about a year ago, so he’s very agreeable to this diet. We also don’t buy many processed or prepackaged foods and cook a lot from scratch. Even meat eaters can learn to love meatless meals – it’ll save you cash and keep you healthy as you lower your eco-footprint.

WE BUY USED:

Used goods are ultimate green. In some cases a used item may not be healthier – i.e. used plastic dishes. BUT you can buy plenty of stuff used that’s perfectly fine like cloth napkins, puzzles, books, and clothing. In almost all cases used is cheaper and save goods from the landfill.

WE MAKE CHOICES:

We all make choices. You can think of green products as expensive and unreachable or you can adjust.

My choices are to follow the rules above plus follow my first rule of buying less overall. Green is too expensive right? Maybe it is. But to me three TV, four bathrooms, or guest rooms in a home are excessive yet I know families who have this and complain that organic foods cost too much. That’s their choice. My choices are different. I’d rather eliminate the unnecessary and buy green. As I’ve noted before, “We don’t buy soda, chips, TV dinners, or tons o’ toys. We don’t go expensive places or even to the arcade – we go outside. I’d rather be able to afford organic apples and bleach free dish washing soap than go out for pizza or have another pair of shoes. It’s a choice.”

It’s your choice too. I’ve been living on a limited budget but we always have organic foods and green cleaners and healthier body care – why? Because that’s our choice of where to spend our money.

What’s your choice? Are green products impossibly unattainable or within your reach with some adjustments?

Later this week (after a little school lunch post I have planned) I’ll give some advice on how to find affordable green products.

[image via stock.xchng]

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

Green to me is worth the cost and I’ll just go ahead and put it out there that I also don’t think green products are unattainable – even on a slim budget. Almost anyone can afford green products over conventional with some planning and strategy.

Where I’m coming from: Just so you don’t think I’m spouting total bunk about anyone being able to afford green, here’s my $ situation… I’ve been a single mama for many years now. I’ve been working as a freelance writer for years and income in this sort of job, as you might guess has some major ups and downs. My son Cedar attends a private alternative school which costs a fair amount and before that he was homeschooled so I had less time to work. I live in a fairly expensive area in a fairly expensive urban city. My son’s dad helps out with Cedar’s school costs and occasionally hands over some money, but I don’t get monthly child support. While we conserve resources (obviously) energy and water bills are still pretty expensive where I live and between that and housing there’s hasn’t been too much left to spare over the years.

However, all that said I can still afford green products that we want most of the time. BUT there is a strategy to it and there are reasons why we can still afford green items on a limited budget and the number one reason why we can is because…

WE BUY LESS STUFF:

Green living by nature should mean living on less. I say should, because to me, to my household it does, but it doesn’t mean that to everyone. Some people think green living means only buying green products over conventional, but there’s more to it than that. For example, you may only purchase green products, but those products still require energy and resources to make – if you’ve got three energy efficient televisions, 50 pairs of ethically made shoes, and a stock supply of green toys you’re really not living much greener than someone with two less efficient TVs, a closet full of non-green clothes, and so on. Having less and living simply is green for many reasons…

• You need less space to store junk. Bigger houses needed for people with tons of stuff is less green than living in a smaller home with less stuff. Smaller spaces require fewer resources and less energy. If you’ve got too much stuff, you will need a bigger space.
• As noted above no matter what you’re buying (with some food exceptions) it took energy and resources to manufacture. The more you buy the bigger your footprint.
• Buying less and sticking to basic necessities most of the time allows room in your budget for the more expensive but also more ethically made products you want.
• Having less allows you to focus on more important stuff – like green living. The more you buy, the more money you need. The more money you need the more time you need. The more time you use up working is time taken away from your family, your ability to advocate for green issues, and the time you get to spend out in nature with your kids. Having too many gadgets, books, DVDs, and other material clutter people keep around to keep potential boredom at bay is a great way to cut yourself off from the stuff of life that should matter.

We have one TV, no cable, no magazine subscriptions, necessary but not excessive clothing, and we rarely buy junk like soda or chips. We make choices. AND I’m not talking about always making choices based on necessity. Once in a while we all need something that’s pure want – but if most of the time you buy what you need and what’s not excessive, you’ll have more money to spend on those green versions of products.

Next up more reasons why we can afford green items on a limited budget. Then later, advice on how to find affordable green products.

[image via stock.xchng]

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

In any case, it’s just one tiny drama of the eco-blogosphere, but a not uncommon one. All the time here, and at other green places I blog, people comment on the more expensive products and organic food, saying, “It’s too expensive.”

I get it, because economic times are hard, but we all make choices with our money. When money is tight, when money is plentiful, when we’ve got just enough – we still make choices about where our money goes.

BUT this post is not about being able to afford green products, this post is about whether they’re worth the cost. In a post soon we’ll look at some easy ways to open up your budget so you can afford greener products but for now, let’s see why green products are worth the cost…

Green products are better for your health:

Organic foods are better for your health, the health of the farmers growing these foods, and the health of the planet. Organic and naturally made body care is less toxic and far better for your health than conventional chemically laden products. Riding your bike once in a while vs. driving is good exercise. Healthy indoor air quality due to green building and other green products you buy (shower curtains, paint, and so on) keeps your entire family healthier. This is actually a super long argument – that green is actually better for your health. Also some green products offer more health benefits than others. For example, soy candles are healthier than wax, but in the grand scheme of things organic foods are healthier to budget for than say all soy candles. It’s tricky and since we don’t want to be here all day, I’ll offer you some misc links to check out… BUT this is just the tip of the iceberg.

• Green kitchen pots and pans are healthier
• Dangers of VOCs – which are found in many non-green products.
• Toxic stuff in baby care products
• What’s wrong with cheaper plastics vs. eco kitchen food items?
• Phthalate in Children’s Toys and toxins in their bath toys
• Are We So Clean That We’re Breeding Super Germs?
• Conventional Household Cleaning Products Linked To Childhood Asthma
• Dangers of PVC
• Dangers of Conventional Home Cleaning Supplies
• The FDA won’t protect your health when it comes to cosmetics
• Pesticides in conventional cotton

Green products support your ethics and green ideals and educate others:

If your goal is green living then green products support this lifestyle. By taking the time to research products and make sure they’re actually green, by buying green products, by supporting companies who make green products, you’re making a statement in a private way (maybe you feel you’re doing something you believe in and it makes you feel good). You also make a statement to others. Say you have an ethical wedding ring or use natural non-toxic cleaners. Others who see your actions and ask about it may learn something new and decide that green living is something they want to know more about.

Green products are good tools for teaching kids about green:

Green living topics like global warming, emissions, and health benefits of zero-VOCs are all a little abstract to kids. However, pull out an eco-toy, reusable ice pop molds, or cloth napkins and it’s easy to talk to kids about green living. Kids who grow up with eco-products and who participate in discussions about why we choose green products over another more easily understand green living issues. My son Cedar for instance can’t, at age eight, tell you much about the greenhouse effect but he can tell you why cloth napkins are better than paper or why cheap plastic toys suck from a recycling and value stand point. Eventually kids who are exposed to green products that they understand will also get harder to grasp green topics – i.e. green products are like a gateway drug to green living.

Green products won’t ever go up in availability or down in price if we don’t support them:

Like any supply and demand deal, green products have costs related to their popularity or demand. If everyone bought green school supplies vs. toxic, resource draining, cheap school supplies then manufactures would try to meet that demand with more readily available products and better competitive prices. If people choose to ban non-ethical companies those companies would change their ways. Companies who make products really do make products with their consumers in mind.

If we buy from companies who greenwash to make a buck or who continue to sell lame toxic products, and if we don’t demand better green product standards, of course companies are thrilled – they don’t need to change because consumers just don’t care. As consumers we seriously directly affect the products on the shelves and their costs.

Green products are good for your budget and actually save you money:

Although green products can cost more at first, many save you money in the long run. Reusable products and home efficiency products are the two best examples of this. For example, you can buy paper towels, foil, school lunch sacks, paper napkins, plastic wrap, OR you can buy reusable options of these same products ONCE that last for years and years. You can invest in a solar panel set-up for your home, build a water barrel, or buy more expensive but also more efficient light bulbs and eventually you’ll reap some payback rewards by lowering energy and water costs. At the same time, longer lasting products save you money because you’ll spend less time running around replacing them and for many of us, time is money.

Soon I’ll post about some other ways that buying green can save you money and how to be able to afford green products on almost any budget – so stay tuned.

Do you think green products are worth the cost? Why or why not?

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

Are Paper Napkins More Environmentally Friendly?

This piece notes that the footprint may be smaller if a big business (think restaurant) uses paper. They’ve got calculations to back it up. While they do err on the side of cloth still being better for home use, they got their calculations by factoring in typical cotton napkins not organics or other fabrics (although they do mention other fabric choices).

I like the piece but in my opinion they did not comment enough about the huge long life span of cloth napkins in the home. Treehugger factored in a year of washing for cloth napkins in the home, but something to consider is that cloth napkins last a lot longer than one year. So when factoring in the energy and materials used to make cloth napkins you also need to note that they’ll last for many years around the house.

You should also factor in alternative fabrics. You can buy organic cotton, flax, hemp, and other napkins vs. conventional cotton. As for the use factor, all of the cloth napkins I’ve ever owned last for about 4-5 years – although by year 4 they are getting a little blah. Once a napkin is too icky to use as a napkin, I switch it over to a cleaning cloth, where I’ll use it until it dies. This means you get super life out of a napkin and get to use cloth not paper towels to clean with which saves even more resources.

Overall they are saying that cloth is best in the home though, and obviously I agree. Read more about cloth napkins here:

• How cloth napkins save you money
• Benefits of cloth napkins
• Make Easy, No-Sew Cloth Napkins in Five Minutes

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

Chapter One Organics (shown above) has some seriously inexpensive sale items right now, all organic and healthy for your little one.

• $16 – earthluxe olive onesie
• $14 -  floral side-snap pants
• $13 -  patch leaf onesie

Other deals:

Sundress in organic cotton – reg. price $27 on sale for $10! Seriously now. There’s lots more to see too, many pieces under $20 at Nuno Organics.

Greenedge Kids is having a SUPER summer sale – I’m talking eco-clothes of all sorts at deep discounts. See a small sampling above or head over to Greenedge Kids to see it all.

Shown above Happy Print Short Sleeve Tees – all organic ($12 each 3 for $24), plus tons more on sale at Positively Organic.

Tons of basic baby and child organics – i.e. basic bodysuits, pants, and sweaters all on sale for under $20 at Lapsaky.

Hopefully you’ll find something you need for the kiddos on sale.

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

1. Switch to a reusable water bottle. right now Gaiam is offering FREE standard shipping on new and pretty water bottles. COST: $10.38 (plus all that money you’ll save on bottled water).
2. Compost on the cheap: if you snag some free reclaimed wood and wire (or even buy the wire) a homemade compost bin can come in at well under $15. COST: Varies, but with smart planning, under $15.
3. Clean your refrigerator coils: the coils on your fridge can easily get covered with dust and grime which means they have to work harder to cool. Clean them with a long brush. You can find them under or behind your fridge (check your fridge manual). COST: $ Negative – If you already have the cleaning brush, this will actually save you money on your electric bill.
4. Hang a clothesline: this is a super cheap and earth-friendly way to hang clothing. COST: about $10 – A decent clothesline and about 50 clothespins will cost you under $15 in almost all cases (in most cases under $5). Note that you’ll also save money on electricity.
5. Build a rain barrel: a rain barrel will save you cash on your water bills and help you conserve an important resource. COST: about $15 if you’ve got the right plans.
6. Install low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators: these babies can reduce both your water use and water costs by 50% and anyone can install one on their own. COST: You can get fancy shower heads, but there are some for $15 or under. Faucet aerators can always be had for under $5.
7. Clean green: for about $15 you can gather up reusable spray bottles, lemons, baking soda, and some other gear needed to make your own homemade green cleaners. COST: Depends, but if you go bare basics under $15. Learn to make your own homemade green cleaners.
8. Get a PVC-free shower curtain: this is an easy way to avoid dangers of PVC and of course takes almost no effort on your part. COST: about $12.
9. Grow some plants: growing plants indoors can cut your indoor air pollution considerably and it’s way cheaper than a air purifier. COST: Depends on the plant, but if you look for nursery sales or try mail order, you should be able to find air cleaning plants for under $15.
10. Quit buying new planters: especially quit buying plastic planters, but overall you can make all your own planters out of found objects. My favorite EASY homemade recycled planter idea is shown below – a beautiful painted planters. COST: nothing for found planters; about $15 if you need to buy some pretty zero VOC paint. If you’ve got old paint around this project is free.

[image via Sprig]

Share your ideas for inexpensive green changes you can make in the comments…

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

When it comes to powering up your house it can take a lot of energy and cost some big bucks. Nowadays we power up everything from lamps, to laptops, to toothbrushes, and more. To save energy and money try the following…

1. Use rechargeable batteries whenever possible. This not only saves you cash but saves landfill space as well. Some studies show that it can take as many as 1,000 regular batteries to cover the lifespan of one rechargeable battery.
2. Install light sensors that automatically turn off when people leave the room.
3. Use voice mail service vs. an answering machine. If you have only a cell then you likely already use voice mail. If you still have a land-line phone, and an answering machine, consider switching to a voice mail service in order to cut out a little clutter plus save energy. Because your answering machine is plugged in 24/7 it drinks up energy.
4. Use compact fluorescent bulbs, solar charged lights, or LED lighting where possible (both inside and outside) over incandescent bulbs.
5. Unplug anything that’s not in use. While one lamp sitting plugged in doesn’t drain too much energy during the day, consider everything you have plugged in. It all adds up. In the kitchen alone people have their microwave, toaster, blender, and more plugged in all day. It’s unnecessary.
6. Close air vents in all unused rooms of the house. It’s silly to heat or cool unused rooms, and it’ll save you money.

[Image via Stock.xchng]

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

Because the Moonpads Reusable Menstrual Pads Giveaway was extremely successful, and because we had so many amazing comments, Annie Rose, maker of Moonpads, wanted to offer up a little something extra for all the contestants who didn’t win.

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The deal:

FREE SHIPPING on Moonpads now through March 15th, 2009.

How to snag this deal:

Type in code “thf” in the notes section when you place your order and Annie Rose will send you a refund for shipping via PayPal.

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VERY cool! This makes right now an extra great time for you to try Moonpads.

Head over to Annie Rose’s official Moonpad shop and grab some Moonpads with free shipping. Plenty of cute designs are available.

[image via Moonpads]

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

If you’re making over your budget for financial reasons, why not make it over to be greener as well? Some easy steps to greening your budget…

Bank and invest responsibly: Especially with a big tax refund coming (hopefully) now is the ideal time to think about socially responsible investing and green banking. To learn about which banks offer the most green for your green check out the Socially Responsible Investing Basics for Individuals guide from the Social Investment Forum. To learn about eco-investing you can order Co-op America’s Green America’s Guide to Socially Responsible Investing.

Stop and think: Being a green consumer, and thus a green budget rock-star, means you stop and think before you buy. Ask yourself if you really need the item, or just kind of want it, and if so, why? Other things to consider about purchases – is the product recyclable, ethical, will it make your world a lot better? Learn to flex your green purchasing power for a better planet and a more substantial savings account.

Get yourself a green budget bible: Big Green Purse is a good budget-minded book if you happen to be female, a shopper, and green. My personal green budgeting bible is Your Money or Your Life, which isn’t meant to be green, but it did kind of turn out that way. It’s about simple, and simple, to me, tends to translate nicely into green.

Green your friends: You know how when you’re on a diet it sucks to see your pals dig into that chocolate cake? Well, much like that, it’s hard to be green and on a budget when your pals could care less. It’s hard to make that eco sensible choice when your friends are saying, “Oh, socially ethical banking is not that big a deal.” Convert folks you know into thinking about budgeting green, investing green, and saving some green. Yes, this can take time, but the more serious your friends and family know you are, the less whining they’ll do. Also, who knows, maybe you’ll change a pal’s life for the better.

Change over your budgeting routine: If you haven’t gone totally paperless, now would be a great time. Why get paper bills, use stamps and envelopes, and use up the gas on the mail truck if you can pay your bills online? You can track your budget on the computer, get rid of annoying checks, and have an easier and tidier life sans paper trails by going green.

Oh, and PS, on a related note, Co-op America has a killer budget minded piece up right now, 7 Solutions from the Green Economy. Check it out.

Post from: Tree Hugging Family