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

1. Find a BND event.
2. Do the obvious – hang with the family, have a cookie baking day, play games, go for a walk, plant a tree, play dress-up, sing, make some crafts, it’s a great day to find a family activity.
3. Go to a store, but not to shop, instead stick one of these up quietly.
4. Get started on a Buy Nothing Christmas. As BND advocates note, if a Buy Nothing Christmas is too extreme, try selling your family on, “A Buy Less Christmas. Or a $100 Christmas. Or a Regifting Christmas. Or a Green Christmas. Or a Slow-Down Christmas.”
5. Join the New Dream Community (all you need is an email). Once you join you’ll gain access to FREE booklets on the following topics:

• Tips for Parenting in a Commercial Culture
• Good Times Made Simple: The Lost Art of Fun
• Simplify the Holidays
• Back to School Buying and Action Guide
• Alternative Gift Fair Guide

Other good reads: 

• Give the gift of time this holiday season
• It’s not green Friday folks…
• Buy Nothing Day Tips
• Hypocritical me & the stuff issue
• Homemade Eco Gifts You Can Make for the Holidays!

November current events at Tree Hugging Family – themes, reviews, news, and more…

[image via Buy Nothing Day]

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

Teach a child something or just spend some time: Honestly, I can’t tell you one item my grandma gave me for a holiday. But I think about everything she taught me or did with me all the time. How to sew, cook, play cards, paint, and more. Plus her stories stick with me. These are the things kids remember when they’re older, not that race car from ten birthdays ago.

Go on a family hike: Yup it’s cold, but nature looks different in winter than any other time of the year – get out and see it for yourself. Go at night and see the houses lit up (you’re allowed to cringe at the energy use, but you have to admit, it’s still pretty.)

Perk up an elderly family member’s house: They’ll appreciate it. You can shovel their walk, clean out the basement, or plant some bulbs that will come up in the spring.

Reconnect with someone: Write or call someone that you haven’t spoken to in a good long while. This is always a nice surprise.

Plan a fun day: Gather everyone, friends, family, whoever, at your home and have a great holiday cookie bake-off, a snow fort contest, play board games, or make homemade holiday gifts.

Take ten minutes a day to learn something new for the planet: Sign up for a green newsletter, add green new feeds to your rss, or visit an eco news blog or site a few times a week. Take some time to learn the issues that affect us all year round.

Volunteer anywhere. Find your opportunity.

What else would you suggest? How can you give the gift of time vs. stuff?  

November current events at Tree Hugging Family – themes, reviews, news, and more…

[images via, stock.xchng & Buy Nothing Day]

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

These are posts full of tips that can help you to rethink purchases, money, and the general idea of stuff.

Cold Turkey Paper Towels & the What Questions

Why Does Being Green Cost So Much?

Organizing by Simplifying

How To Start Getting Rid of Stuff – Get Rid of “Maybe” Items

Kid specific consumer info: 

Raising Green Kids In A Commercial Culture

Kids & Shopping – How Kids Can Be Smart Consumers

My Own Little, His View of Commercials, & Tips for Talking With Your Kids About Purchases

As a parent, do you understand the impact of the need for stuff?

Eco-friendly Ways to Reward Kids

Commercials Are Everywhere

November current events at Tree Hugging Family – themes, reviews, news, and more…

[image via Buy Nothing Day]

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

Could I be more hypocritical?

Each year at this time I start feeling like I should answer the question above. Last year I posted, If you’re so against having stuff, then why show all these products on this blog? That post basically covered why I’m not a hypocrite. But, it’s always good to recap during the holiday season.

My take on stuff:

Personally, I don’t love having too much more stuff around than I need. It’s a consumer and clutter issue for me.

I do own items that are unnecessary; books, incense, candles, pictures in frames, more than one pair of shoes, but I do try to keep unnecessary item numbers low. For instance, I don’t think you need three kitchen appliances that do the same thing. For me, it’s about items that make you feel at home – i.e art supplies or books, vs. total wants like four TV sets or three bathrooms in a family of two. That’s insane. But overall I’m not against things that make your home feel like home.

Just because I show a product on this blog, does not mean I think you need it. I consider that you might need something at some point, and that then, the post might come in handy. Eventually, you will need a new blanket, coffee cup, or car. Do I hope that when you need a new dishes, baby clothes, a gift, or something, that you’ll choose an environmentally responsible product over a not responsible product. Um, yeah. How do people hear about these products – well, from me here at Tree Hugging Family, from other bloggers, news ads, etc.

Do I hope that you purchase everything I show here? Obviously NO. I know that no one needs all the stuff I show. Why do I show things that are decoration? Well, when it comes right down to it, I do believe that people can have the home they want, decorated and all. I don’t believe in collecting a thousand little knick knacks and other useless items, but some sense of personal style is what makes the world go round. Some records can make your life a little happier, and the right piece of art can brighten everyone’s day. It’s ok, especially when you consciously make smart decisions surrounding most areas of your life.

There you go – this is why I show items you could buy on this, and other blogs. Have stuff all you want. Just make sure that you honestly own stuff for a reason, don’t let your stuff own you.

November current events at Tree Hugging Family – themes, reviews, news, and more…

[image via Buy Nothing Day]

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

Basics: 

Buy Nothing Day it’s fairly self-explanatory; it’s a day you, you guessed it, buy nothing. Created by the folks at Adbusters; Buy Nothing Day correlates with Black Friday otherwise know as the biggest shopping day of the year.Facts:

• You have better things to do with your time than shop.
• The U.S. is overwhelmed with consumerism, and this is one day that highlights that while currently true, it doesn’t need to be this way.
• Black Friday is a holiday that’s all about encouraging people to buy more, more, more. You don’t have to be on board.

On the green side:

Black Friday is anything but earth friendly. This is one day where shopping can do double harm to the environment. Obviously here at THF we discuss the impact that products and the energy it takes to make them have on the planet. Consider the extra bad effects that will happen on Black Friday:

Extra gas needed to get from place to place because people are stuck in traffic even more than usual.

Senseless items bought. This is fact. I’ve seen it in action. People go to this huge sale because they saw something they actually need on the sales ad. That in itself is not a bad thing. However, once you get to a store the item is gone — because of course the store didn’t stock enough and so to make up for the wasted time people tend to shop for other items that were not on their list in the first place.

An utter lack of peace. I don’t talk about peace and calm too much here but in many ways I feel that both are tied intrinsically to eco-living. Once you start to live simpler a certain calm does take over your life. You do feel more at peace because you aren’t competing with anyone on a who has what level and it’s an overall nicer way to live. Less clutter, less competition, more peace. Black Friday is anything but peaceful. People fight over stuff and you don’t get any lamer than that. This is stuff wars are made of. Sure it’s on a smaller level but come on. We don’t need to live like that.

Time. One of the best ways to encourage green living is to live a happy healthy lifestyle. People who are healthy and happy tend to be more balanced and want a healthier planet as well. There is no argument on earth that’s going to convince me that all those lines, all the shoving, all the people weaving at the stores on the very crowed Black Friday is a healthy way to live. Your time is worth more than that. Many people get Black Friday off only to spend it working at the mall. Instead take the day and go to the park with your family; play board games; talk… spend time not money. This is what encourages health and happiness not the fact that you saved $10 on a printer.

Which side will you choose this year? 

I’m hoping you’ll take me up on the November green challenge and commit to shunning the stores on Black Friday this year. If you want to join the challenge, click the image below.

Let me know your thoughts on Black Friday and Buy Nothing Day in the comments.

November current events at Tree Hugging Family – themes, reviews, news, and more…

[image via Buy Nothing Day]

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

Your green challenge, for November 2008, should you choose to accept it, is…

To buy nothing on Buy Nothing Day 2008.

Steps to take:

1. Buy Nothing Day happens on November 28, 2008 for North America and on November 29, 2008 internationally.
2. This small action step challenge consists of you buying nothing on the big day.
3. Another action step you can take would be to spread the word, tell your friends and family. Convince at least one other person to ban shopping on Buy Nothing Day.

Difficulties with this challenge:

For some of us, Buy Nothing Day will be a snap. However Black Friday is seductive to many. Some people are going to have to use massive will power to avoid the sales. To help you avoid caving in, I’ll be writing posts during the month that discuss Buy Nothing Day, ideas for simplifying, how to avoid shopping temptations, and how to be a good green shopper when you do shop.

The end result: 

Of course this challenge is about avoiding Black Friday; but there’s more to the end result than simply that. Part of being an earth-friendly individual is lowering your overall consumption, and buying ethically when you do shop. While Buy Nothing Day is a good first step, it merely kicks off a specific sort of mind-set. It’s not about NEVER buying items, it’s more, in my mind, thinking before you purchase. What the eventual end result should be is a change in your overall thinking; a knowledge that there’s a difference between needs and want, and that living simply can be a worthwhile endeavor, both for you and the planet.

To get started:

1. Soon I’ll be posting about Buy Nothing Day – it’s history, the basic gist, and so fourth. Watch for that post.
2. Start thinking about what challenges you may face on Black Friday – what might make you head to the stores. Let me know so I can provide you with helpful ideas.
3. Start telling your pals. If you participate in Buy Nothing Day, that’s swell, but if you can convince someone else, well, that’s a double accomplishment.

Now, are you going to try and participate in the Buy Nothing Challenge this month? Let me know in the comments. I’ll have update posts all month, including a wrap-up post to see how everyone did.

November current events at Tree Hugging Family – themes, reviews, news, and more…

[image via Buy Nothing Day]

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

I’m not in the paper towel challenge, because we have zip paper towels at our house. We quit using them cold turkey. We didn’t ease down, or aim to use less, we just quit.

I asked myself: “What if the store was out of paper towels?” And, “What the heck did they do before paper towels?”

WHAT? Well, I’d use something else, find some other solution. Back in the day they used cloths and washed them. Or a mop. Or a plate. And so on. Asking yourself the question of “what” is actually a great way to go greener. It can be applied to so much.

What if the store ran out of foil? How did they ever manage? What if there was a snowstorm and you couldn’t get out? You’d use a lid, not broil foods on high, wash the cookie sheet.

What if your store was out of paper muffin cups? You could wash the muffin pan after using it.

What if your store was out of….

• Paper clips
• Juice boxes
• Video games
• Disposable silverware
• Toothbrush holders
• Water filters
• Tea pots
• Jarred baby food
• Sandwich baggies
• Magazines
• Soda
• Cotton balls
• Rubber bands
• TV dinners
• What else?

You’d manage. You’d find another way, find new entertainment, a new solution. You’d be ok. And I’m not saying that to be a good green citizen, you have to give up all modern conveniences. For example, I hope I don’t need to wonder what happens when the store runs out of toilet paper or god forbid my favorite red pens (yikes).

What I am saying, is that if all of us consider the what if questions a little more often, and try to find a better, greener solution, it could add up to a whole lot of change. The next time you’re at the store, try asking yourself “What if” and see if you can put one or two items back. Let me know if it works for you.

Click here to learn about all the current contests, themes, and green challenges going on at Tree Hugging Family in May 2008

[image via Stock.xchng]

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

It’s not a realistic campaign. While I agree with the reasoning, I don’t much agree with how they’re trying to pull this whole, get the family together or get moving or what have you.

First off they lie, or at least exclude decision making processes:

From the TV Turnoff Network: “All TV is passive, sedentary and non-experiential. Most viewers tend to watch show after show–not individual programs. Instead of watching a documentary about birds, go out (with binoculars if you have them) and see how many real birds you can identify in your neighborhood. The purpose of National TV-Turnoff Week is to leave behind judgments about the quality of television and focus instead on creating, discovering, building, participating and doing.”

ALL TV is passive. Really? All of it. I think that’s a stretch. We learned things on home shows that we used to build our house (not passive). Cedar wants to join a jump rope team when he’s old enough and is already doing hip hop dance – every single day (not passive), and why? Because he watched Jump In on TV. If you’re going to call for a ban, at least be honest and consider that some people use the TV to their advantage in useful ways.

I hate the implication that humans can’t make good decisions when exposed to something that’s potentially harmful.

Is TV turnoff week realistic?:

There are other broad claims they make as well. However, one of my biggest issues with TV turnoff week goes back to the whole, it’s not realistic situation. Asking people to turn of the TV for a whole week is not a normal way to learn how to make change. In most cases folks won’t keep that TV off. They might for a while. In fact, the TV site claims that 90% of the folks who participate in turnoff week don’t return to their old TV laden habits. That said, how many are participating? That 90% is a pretty small number if the TV turnoff forums are any indication.

They’re asking for people to make huge leaps all at once instead of incorporating less TV on a normal sort of schedule. In my experience, large leaps don’t tend to hold up. In a completely bizarre switch, TV turnoff week goes from asking folks to make this broad jump, to asking people to make too minor of changes. Like the Family Dinner Night:

“Have you picked your night? Each one of us is picking a night, that cannot change. Pick yours and after dinner, pull out a board game, a deck of cards or something else to do and make a night of it.”

A dinner. One dinner? I’m sorry, but if you’re only eating one dinner, one meal a week together, there’s a much bigger issue at hand then television. Something besides TV is gonna have to give. You should be having far more meals together each week than one.

Learning by negatives:

Learning by negatives is also a big pet peeve of mine. I don’t agree with negatives to make a positive. If a child considers TV a positive in their world, then taking it away to teach them a lesson in fitness, family time, better grades, what have you, is a negative way to do so. A better and actually more realistic way to pull off this lesson is to simply incorporate outdoor time, family dinners, exercise, and togetherness into your life, before, or without taking anything away.

Is TV an easy thing to blame?

Trust me, your kids would rather be with you, doing fun things then watching TV – I’d bet on it. Your kids would rather eat with you than watch a movie. If this is not true in your house, if your kids don’t want to be with you, then however harsh it sounds, it’s your fault. As a parent you make the big choices. You make the choices from day one that define how your kids feel about family time, TV time, and most other issues. If your kids are reluctant to hang out, it tells me that so are you, and you need more than TV turnoff week. You need major changes in your household.

If TV turnoff week got you thinking about this fine, that’s a good thing that TV turnoff week has accomplished, but it’s not TV that’s the issue. It’s our family actions that are to blame. We talk about spending time with our kids a lot here. One because that’s how it should be. And two, the only way our children pick up our green actions is by being with us, by doing.

30 ideas for family activities:

1. Make Your Own Natural, Colorful Dyes – Great Kid Nature Project
2. Play dress up – let the littles totally raid your make-up and clothes
3. Make Your Own Solar Light!
4. Color
5. Green audit your trash as a family
6. Play board games
7. Nature Themed Autumn Craft
8. Build A Plant Maze!
9. Go fishing
10. Make some paper
11. Read together
12. Take a sign language class
13. Cook a meal
14. See what other other families are doing
15. Homemade Organic Paint Soap for Kids
16. Play with clay
17. Study water – and do some experiments
18. Bake cookies or cupcakes
19. Five Fun Ways to Reconnect with Nature
20. Go bike riding.
21. Go On A Treasure Hunt
22. Join Journey North
23. Build a playing card castle
24. Start a garden
25. Search for rocks
26. Get outside
27. Get a pet
28. Volunteer to build a house
29. Go swimming
30. Volunteer to keep the planet clean

There are at least a hundred more ideas on this blog alone related to activities and actions you can take as a family. Not to mention countless others beyond this one little blog. Honestly, you don’t even have to do anything dramatic – just hanging out around the house, doing everyday tasks together works. Don’t just celebrate TV turnoff week to see if you’re up to some random challenge. Make the challenge about your whole world. This is your life, your children’s lives, time you can’t get back. All in all, my biggest issue, I suppose, is that we can do so much better then TV turnoff week.

What do you think?

[photos via stock.xchng]

Post from: Tree Hugging Family