These days most of us are looking for ways to save both money and resources. It is becoming more clear that we all need to do our part to make wise decisions about what we consume.
While I am not an expert in “green living,” I think simply making common-sense steps towards being frugal and wasting less around my own home is a great way to start! By making small changes, using less, saving more and thinking about clever ways to use what we already have, we can be good stewards of our resources.
SunChips is generously sponsoring a $100 giveaway to one lucky reader of The Inspired Room simply for sharing YOUR green living tips! WOO HOO! I think we could all use an extra $100, so check out my tips below and then offer one of your own in the comments! One lucky commenter will win $100! {GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED}
Here are a few frugal (& green!) tips:
- Visit a local Rebuilding Center to find great things you can “re-use” to remodel your home: light fixtures, sinks, cabinets, tubs and more! Old sinks can be refinished and look good as new!
- Salvage existing kitchen cabinet boxes with a fresh coat of paint and install new cabinet doors rather than starting over with all new cabinets. I did this in my last kitchen by installing both glass and regular cabinets and new drawers into existing cabinet bases.
- Rather than buying new, re-fresh existing furniture or thrift store finds with paint or slipcovers.
- Use natural elements (like fruit, plants, moss, bamboo, twigs, or nests) for decorating your home (see more ideas in this post Creative Ideas for Decorating Naturally).
- Share and find cool stuff on Freecycle, Craigslist, or your local Goodwill or thrift store. While I was moving I donated tons of stuff that someone else can repurpose at their house!
- Downsize to or remodel a “not so big house” in order to save money, energy and make better use of the space you already have (I love this concept as I have just downsized to my own “not so big house”).
- Consider rain chains and barrels instead of downspouts to reduce your water consumption by harvesting your own rain water in style! {I just learned about this tip last week on my Gig Harbor Drive By!} Use the collected rain water for the lawn, washing the dog, laundry or watering plants!
- Use hardy native plants in your landscapes to save water and maintenance — in the northwest that means use lots of moss, ferns, rhododendrons and azaleas!
- Home composting is a small step you can take to make your community greener. It is surprisingly straightforward and it benefits both you and the environment. The sponsor of our $100 giveaway today, SunChips, recognized these benefits and has introduced new packaging that is made of 33% renewable materials. This may seem like a small change, but in 2010, they plan on having every SunChips bag made 100% compostable. Learn how to create your own hot, active compost here and take your small step.
What small “green” steps or changes have you made around your home?
Share a green living tip here this week and you’ll be entered to win something very green… $100!
PS. My friend Sandy at Reluctant Entertainer also has a giveaway today, so after you share your green tip here, head on over and check out her giveaway too!
Top photo: HGTV…check out their 2009 GREEN HOME
THE $100 GIVEAWAY CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED. CONTEST ENDED APRIL 18 9PM PST
I love how recession style is all about the loveliness found in recycled or upcycled belongings. Tag sales plus some chic renovating ideas make me happier than buying new!
I also use my green shopping bags everywhere and I’m glad to see this trend finally making its way into everyday life here in the U.S.
These are more everyday habitual things. But, how about:
-limiting drink consumption to water and tea-does away with all the containers and all the extra needs for ingredients
-wearing clothes more than once before washing
-washing out ziploc bags or using cloth bags
-saving water used for certain cooking purposes that could be used again in another way
i’m not the most green person i know, but we’re trying to think of new (or old ways) to stop consuming so much
Nicoles inspiring blog post..I Only Have Two Hands
I just gave our kids all metal water bottles in their Easter baskets to keep them from grabbing disposable plastic ones.
Jennifers inspiring blog post..My Redeemer Lives!
I keep a plastic bucket w. a spout in the shower, after its full, I use it to water my plants. Ive also started composting, and love it! I can’t believe I was throwing all that great stuff away before.
jenel lbrookss inspiring blog post..Boobs, Boobs and more Boobs
Let’s see- we try do a lot of “green” things- mostly to help with cost. I dry my clothes on the clothesline, we grow most of our veggies plus we’re part of a CSA (local food= less gasoline used), I do a lot of my own canning (less trips to the grocery= less gasoline used), I use shopping bags (I think it’s kind of funny- my Oma in Austria was shopping with baskets and bags years and years ago- back then we thought it was cute and quaint- now it’s considered the in thing to do!), we drive a Prius (and LOVE it!- been coast to coast with two children comfortably), I compost most kitchen scraps, we harvest various foods from our land (we have native black raspberries and morels plus we eat venison). We insulated our water heater. I’m sure there are many other things we do but that’s all I can think of now!
Astrids inspiring blog post..Oklahoma, Here We Come!
Hmm…to be both green and frugal, I do a lot…reusable shopping bags, Sigg bottles for the whole family, as little packaged food as possible, cutting up old towels and doing away with paper (not quite there yet, but getting close!), repurposing old clothes, sharing hand-me-downs with friends, reading news online…and just plain consuming less.
We line dry our clothes about eight months out of the year, we compost, we are entering our second year of having a garden. . . but a big part of what we are trying to do is just acquire less– less stuff that has packaging, less stuff to maintain, less consumption. It is a mental shift but we are amazed at how far a bit of intention goes.
Hi Melissa-
It’s not easy being green! But I’ve started by using some organic foods & buying from local farmers (in the summer). I also reuse plastic bags from stores & grocery shop with “green bags”. I even get $0.05 back pre bag I use. We also use Green Works products.
Lynne @ Our Happy Homes inspiring blog post..The 100th Post! Celebrate!
Hubby and I carpool to work to save money and gas. It also keeps wear and tear down on one of our cars.
Jenelles inspiring blog post..But it got a little better…
Great ideas, Melissa! Small things we’ve done are:
stop using paper towel
compost
growing our own fruits and veggies
installed a tankless hot water heater
use CFLs
use natural light instead of turning lights on during the day
Emily@remodelingthislifes inspiring blog post..Link Love: Happy Easter
I’m delurking for this. I line dry my clothes as well. If it is raining outside (like today!) I have a large drying rack that holds two loads of clothes that goes up in the living room. It’s isn’t very pretty but it is extremely practical. I use a plastic basin on one side of my sink to wash the dishes in and when I am finished, out goes the water to the garden. The dish soap (biodegradable) helps to keep down aphids and the like. I also fill the other side of the sink with hot water for rinsing and use it to wash down the cabinets when I am finished with the dishes.
Old wool sweaters are given a new life as purses or toys for children. Clothing is passed along or used for sewing projects.
I have five hens that give us eggs every day and I compost their manure for the garden. They also eat a lot of my kitchen scraps that would normally go to the compost heap or, worse yet, the trash.
I think I could go on and on, so I will stop here.
Karins inspiring blog post..At This Easter Season.
I try to be green as much as possible but know I could do better. We use canvas totes for shopping, shop one day per week for everything, we want to make the trip count. Use recycle containers instead of putting everything in the garbage can. Use coffee grounds in my plant soil. Energy efficient bulbs, cost a little more but last longer than regular bulbs. Composting. For awhile we collected the shower water in a bucket to use for plants, we need to get back to that one.
It’s funny but we have been doing “green” things for quite sometime – long before they were trendy! Well, I did grow up in So. Cal so maybe I’m just ahead of my time! hee hee
1. We recycle.
2. I make most of my own household cleaners, including laundry detergent.
3. We love to “salvage” building materials or even furniture!
4. We buy used alot of the time, rather than new.
Mrs.Rabes inspiring blog post..This and That
Unplug! I had never thought until recently just how much electricity my TV, my curling iron, my computer, etc uses when on standby. If I can unplug everything, I save on my electricity bill AND am able to do something for the planet that I live on by using less electricity. I am working on this…as well as shuting off the lights behind me.
So we don’t add to the local landfill…quarterly my friends and I get together and bring anything for our homes or clothes that we no longer want. We share a meal together and do a swap of each others items. There is no money involved. You just take it if you like it and can use it. If there is anything left over at the end, the hostess takes them to the Goodwill. It is a fun way to declutter…and you never know what treasures you will find!
I stopped buying individually packaged lunch snacks for my kids, and purchased small containers instead. I just buy a big bag of chips and fill up several of the containers at once. That way I can quickly make lunches in the morning and I’m not wasting packaging. My kids can also grab one in the afternoon, and the portion size is already measured for them … no more eating a whole bag of chips while they are watching tv!
~Heather
Mrs. Joness inspiring blog post..My favorite Bible Passage
I try to do some green thinking ……
* We recycle.
* I love thrift store finds: furniture, clothing, toys.
* I am planning out a vegetable garden to grow my own vegetables.(this is the first spring in our house).
* I shop for our groceries once a week.
*I use reusable shopping bags.
* We share children’s clothing with cousins…”hand-me downs”.
I love any new ideas on how to take care of what we have rather than going out and buying new!
hey friend – sure I’ll take the CASH! LOL
well, you already know my GREEN tip. composting! our garden is really coming on and we do everything we can to compost and grow our own food. even on a CITY LOT!
i recycle, thrift, and just do what i can to live a greener life.
love your tips.
head on over and WIN today – thanks for mentioning it for me
hugs!
sandys inspiring blog post..2 Stunning $100 Canvas GIVEAWAYS!
Grow your own food! Plant a vegetable garden either in your backyard or in pots. Eating something you grew is the ultimate sustainable way to feed yourself and your family. You don’t need a lot of money to get started, as long as you have access to some dirt, water and sunlight. Planting fruit-bearing bushes and trees is also a very friendly way to treat your neighborhood birds and wildlife.
I’ve been cleaning my house with non-toxic cleaners from an all “green” manufacturer called Shaklee (my sister-in-law is now selling their amazing products). And I have purchased stainless steel reusable water bottles and carry my own shopping bags into the stores.
Dawn-Hydrangea Homes inspiring blog post..Happy Easter!
Alright, I just thought of another one … When I find nice napkins at the thrift store (linens not paper), I buy those to use at home. We also try to use less paper napkins by using the ones that come home with take out dinners instead of throwing them away.
~Heather
Mrs. Joness inspiring blog post..My favorite Bible Passage
My grandma was green before it was cool, she recycled ziploc bags, used shopping bags, and saved all her scraps of fabric and yarn for other projects. She used cloth napkins and had different napkin rings so everyone knew which one was theirs, she only swapped out the napkins when they were dirty not at the end of the meal. She didn’t own a washer or dryer so only did laundry once a week.
Like her, I have shopping bags, save most of my scraps, and use cloth napkins. We have CFL’s in half of our lights, because I just replace the regular bulbs when they burn out. We have the tv and dvd player on a power strip so we can turn them off when we aren’t watching.
The best green thing we did this year was buy a used wood stove and used it to burn Bio Bricks (made from leftover wood products totally recycled). Our heaters were set at 62 this winter (we have three different zones) only the kids rooms ended up using much heat.
In the non-snow months, I run almost all my local errands on my bike. Obviously some local errands need a car like the grocery store and the vet, but I have an old bike trailer that I would like to train the dogs to ride in.
We don’t have a rain barrel, however due to a problem with leaking into a basement window, we have an old kiddie pool outside that window to catch the drips, it waters the roses quite nicely and keeps the basement dry.
We… recycle (even though our little town does not offer it, I drop it off on my way to work), use cloth diapers, limit disposable paper good in the kitchen, and make some of our own cleaning supplies.
Emily @ Little Homes inspiring blog post..Menu Plan 4/13/09
My husband is a napkin fanatic! For the last year, we’ve been using cloth napkins instead of paper. They really aren’t any extra trouble – I just throw them in the wash with my normal color loads once a week.
Kristins inspiring blog post..Spring Fever
Mine is.. I use vinegar to clean almost everything and as weed killer. Not only is it eco-friendly, but it’s cheap! And instead of flying through the paper towels, I keep wash cloths next to the sink and then just use them to round out a load of wash I was already going to do! Jen
Jen R Sanctuary Arts at homes inspiring blog post.."Distressing" secrets
These are all great tips! My friend just told be about using old medicine bottles to put shampoo, soap, lotion, etc. in when you travel. It also helps you get through airport security when you carry on luggage.
I also recently bought some plastic containers for lunches so we don’t waste as many plastic bags.
This is a great post!
Last summer, we pulled out all of the builder-planted landscaping and replaced it with native plants, as you mentioned. It has made a world of difference in that they are hardy to our climate, require less water than what was originally there, and are attracting all sorts of native wildlife to our yard. We are so happy we did it for many reasons.
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not as “green” as most people, but we are really trying to be better about it. We recycle, so at least we’re doing that.
We also try to get new things for our home from thrift stores and the Habitat for Humanity Re-Store, so I guess that’s upcycling. I’m excited to read everyone’s tips to see what we can easily incorporate.
living with lindsays inspiring blog post..Bunnies Aren’t Just for Easter
I just read through everyone’s comments, and there are so many good ideas out there. I don’t think I have anything new to add. We use reusable bags, I walk instead of drive whenever possible and weather-permitting, turn off lights, compost, grow some of our veggies, re-use containers and egg cartons from the store, and have aggressively conscious of not acquiring more STUFF.
kirwins inspiring blog post..This isn’t working out…
Use natural cleaning products when appropriate, such as vinegar, baking soda, etc.
Sometimes these won’t work, but many times they do, as long as you are willing to let it sit on the dirt longer or put in more elbow grease, or both, and then you, your family, and then environment are all healthier. A win-win all around.
I just recently wrote a post on vinegar can and cannot be used for if you want to check it out.
Taylor at Household Management 101s inspiring blog post..Apr 13, Laundry Care Label: Decode Yours Easily And Accurately
My tip would be that we have to make recycling easy by setting up or building in separate bins for recycling beside the garbage cans in our bathrooms and kitchen. If recycling and composting are easy to do then we are more likely to do it.
I have been composting for thirty years, but my new great find for the compost bin comes from my paper shredder. It’s breaks down really quick and takes the trees back to the earth!
I’ve started making my own laundry detergent and cleaners! Safer for my family AND the environment!
When I first started readin g this post, I did not think that we lived in a very “green” way…but, after reading, I discovered that we live more “greenly” (is that a word?) than we thought! We did repurpose our cabinets by painting them. We also shop at Goodwill and give to Goodwill and other organizations. We recycle all of our cardboard, cans, etc. and we have use repurposed wood in our home, etc. Thank you for the additional ideas as well…things that I had not thought of!
Teras inspiring blog post..The Crib Has Been Converted
we do a lot around here too!
About a year ago I stopped buying paper towels and napkins. I find really neat vintage napkins at thrift stores and we use towels that I’ve cut up for paper towels.
We compost, and have a garden which is really fun for the kids to get involved in as well. and I do tons of canning…there is also a program in our area called the gleaners. basically you get to go to the farmers crops after the harvest and glean whatever is left of the food. so then we take that food to food banks and friends and can TONS of it! It’s amazing.
we also volunteer at a thrift shop in order to get our clothes for almost free for the entire family. I haven’t purchased a new item of clothing for anyone in our family except very rare occasions for over a year and no one would ever know it!
Grow your own food. Nothing is more local than your own back yard.
Use the money that you save on groceries buying local and organic produce, meats, eggs, and dairy. (I actually found when I started buying food at the local organic market my grocery bill did not go up by too much, because I stopped buying a bunch of stuff that eventually just got pitched.)
Use cloth diapers. Once you are done using them as diapers you get the worlds best reusable cleaning rags. My husband actually prefers them to disposable!
I use butter wrappers to grease my pans instead of spray. You can store them in the freezer and if you are going to be baking that day, you just pull one out. Also make a lot of my own household cleaners.
Hi! I use canvas bags for groceries. Also, I’ve bought lots of plain canvas bags at walmart and decorated them with paint and such and then given them as gifts at holidays and birthdays. You can use the bag as the actual gift bag.
Also, we try really hard to use rags and dishtowels instead of paper towels. I clean my counters with a mix of vinegar and water and I’ve started to use a mix of baking soda and borax in the dishwasher. Not only is better for the environment, it’s also MUCH cheaper than dish detergent. Another thing we did was cut out fabric softener. You really don’t need and it makes the fibers in your clothes wear out faster.
My favorite green tip is to support your local farmers and buy your produce at the farmers market. The food is usually fresher than the grocery store, and its cheaper. Can’t beat that.
Ashleys inspiring blog post..Wishing you a beautiful Spring weekend!
we are slowly doing all these things here at this old farmhouse…thanks for the kick in the pants…hehe
Last summer I started a compost site. Instead of throwing away my table scraps they go into the compost bin, along with any yard clippings. I am excited to use the compost this year on my vegetable garden!
We fix everything. We hardly ever buy anything new.
I am starting a vegetable garden this year using my compost instead of buying dirt. I really don’t know what I’m doing but so far, so good.
Around the house we recycle what we can, and I’ve switched to cloth napkins- which I absolutely love!
Loris inspiring blog post..I Love House Quilts
our contribution to Green incorporates:
1. Re-cycling
2. Natural cleaning products
3. Grow own fruit and veggies
4. Re-usable grocery sacks
5. Collect water in a rain barrel with spigot for watering plants (planning)
6. Bike more/drive less (teens)
7. re-purpose old furniture
8. natural landscaping
Great to read everybodies projects/plans!
Linda@Lime in the Coconuts inspiring blog post..To a gorgeous new day…
Love these tips!
Cooking from scratch is also a great way to go green. Besides, being more healthy, you don’t have to throw away tons of packaging that comes with ready made foods!
Shilos inspiring blog post..Easter Blessings
I have started using white vinegar in my laundry wash cycle to cut back on detergent.
Lacies inspiring blog post..Pre Easter Festivities
For coffee drinkers like me – buy one of the gold filters available at grocery stores and you can use it forever. No more paper filters! I have been using mine for years now. Coffee grounds in the soil are great at aerating.
I love all your tips and the others too. We were lucky enough to move into a house that has a trash compactor. It saves on trash bags and we also have been recycling tons more. Now we only take the garbage out about every 2-3 weeks, of course, I don’t add food scraps to the compactor because of smell. I’m planning on getting a compost going as soon as the weather breaks some more.
Thanks for the giveaway!
~Liz
Liz@HoosierHomemades inspiring blog post..Virtual Great American Bake Sale
If you have children then the most rewarding green way is to make some furniture pieces or decorative art together. Combing the beach or picking up twigs, branches and flowers from a forest walk can lend themselves to becoming part of a simple construction with a few nuts and bolts.
My mother, for example, used to pick driftwood from the seafront and carved statues which were placed around the home. You can sometimes paint these, varnish them or leave them as they are.
Children can be taught to press flowers which could then be used to decorate table legs, a television table or stitch into a quilt.
All these things cost little money, are environmentally friendly alternatives and are a wonderful opportunity for quality family time.
Interior Decorators inspiring blog post..The Anglepoise Light Marks its 75 Year Anniversary
Here are a few things I can think of that our family does:
I have been line drying our clothes for years, indoors & out, all year long – saves electricity and helps our clothes to last longer.
I recycle plastics & cardboard and our friend reuses the packing peanuts that we receive.
Anything in good shape that we no longer need gets donated in one way or another.
We collect rain water.
We hunt, butcher and package our venison ourselves.
I use my yarn scraps to make scarves and afghans for those in need.
I use cloth bags for shopping as much as possible.
Lights on when in the room only.
I use cloth rags for dusting floors, etc.
And because we live in the North and can’t compost during the winter I am thinking of getting a tub of worms to eat our scraps.
LaDonna
I have started a compost bin. We have it right outisde the kitchen door so we can gather our stuff and out it in there. This helps us cut down on garbage we trash and will help us this summer in our garden.
Carolyn Gs inspiring blog post..Happy Easter!
Evertything here….I also keep our thermostat down to 68 degrees, and bake our own bread (so much easier than I thought). In fact, we make most of our own snacks now (no fossil fuels burned in transportation, no GMO’s in our food, no HFC). Trying to eliminate disposables, re-use water, etc.. Our chickens eat what we don’t composte. We grow our own food and sell the extra. We are planning to buy a diesel car in the near future and run bio diesel in it that we make ourself. There are so many little things that make a BIG difference.
clux64s inspiring blog post..Kitchen-Klatter Magazine