We’re looking at whether or not green products are worth the extra cost. As I’ve noted earlier, I think green products are worth the cost and I think green products are attainable – even on a slim budget. But you have to follow some strategies. Yours may not be the same as mine, but below is what works for my son and me.

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 …read more

This week we’re looking (in part) at the money side of green. Yesterday I gave my thoughts on whether or not green products are worth the extra cost. Today we’ll start looking at why the cost of green is a major misconception.
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 …read more

There was recently a little debate about the cost of green school products in the blogosphere. It started when Green LA Girl posted about Sustainable Group’s Green Back to School kit a collection of schools supplies made with 85-100% post-consumer content that retails for $44.99. After that, Chris at Lighter Footstep wrote a post about how this kit is too costly and not worth the cost AND that items like this are likely why, “Consumers are becoming jaded toward green products.” I don’t agree with the Lighter Footstep post but to be fair Chris’ post did offer some great alternative green …read more

Maybe creating a saner budget was one of your new year’s goals. Or maybe you don’t believe in new year’s goals, but everyone can use at least a little budget restructuring.
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 …read more

In the previous money related post I talked about why being green is so expensive – and sort of how it’s not, on a grander scale.
Like I said in my previous post, I’m willing to make changes in my life so that I can buy green products, even when they’re more expensive. You can omit quite a few products from your life than totally gets rid of the need for green or conventional products – like you don’t need separate cleanser for the tub and toilet. However, there are some products you can’t do without, or at least I haven’t …read more

I think there’s a general consensus that green is more expensive than not green. Say for instance when it comes to laundry soap or toilet paper. On one post we were asked about finding cheaper green products because everyone can’t afford 7th gen and so on.
There’s good news and bad news. The bad news first? Ok.
Well sadly, green product overall are more expensive across the board. I’ve been buying green products for years and there’s not many that compare to or beat conventional items price wise. Some, but not many. More on why this is later. So the worst …read more

This week we’re focusing on commercialism, materialisms, and how that relates to kids and green living. If you need to catch up:
Raising Green Kids In A Commercial Culture
Commercials Are Everywhere
Eco-friendly Ways to Reward Kids
I know many families with homes beyond their needs. Not always necessarily above their needs but absolutely beyond. I’ve known couple friends (no kids yet) who buy homes with six bedrooms and four baths, who have three cars, and all the new gadgets you could want. One such couple I know will really lay into you if you’re not up on all the best new golf gear …read more

How hard would it be for you to just pack up and travel if the opportunity arose? Barring situating your family – how hard would it be based only on the stuff you own? Would you need one small storage space or many large ones?
My ideal answer to the question above would be, “Easy, I could just go.”
My main goal for New Years was to get rid of more stuff. Right now, I have more stuff still than I’d like. I’m not a pack rat or anything, I just do have stuff. Over 30 odd years it builds up. …read more