Frugal and Green Living in Chicago

Great new site - EcoBees

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Thu, 27 May 2010 16:30:00 +0000

Poking around I found a great new site that Could use a lot more people in the ChicagoLand area. I haven't really checked out other areas, but seeing as it's a new site, Most areas could probably use help. It's based off of a freecycle model.

http://wwww.ecobees.com

EcoBees is a little more of a user-friendly interface than craigslist or freecycle.org. The creaters wanted to help supplement exostomg sites that do the same thing. Not necessarily take their place.

Why I find this site better? you can specify the distance you are willing to travel, without having to think of every area that might fall in that or search zipcodes, or join multiple groups if you happen to live on the edge of one.

Other perks are, you can post pictures, and who doesn't like seeing pictures of the items they are getting, You can see where on the map they are in relation to you. Don't worry, they don't give out your address on the map. it just gives a generalized location.

From my understanding the site only launched at the end of March and is doing quite well.

Bloggers Rights

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 04:16:00 +0000

Sadly I have been super busy lately, and my blog has been slightly neglected. But I wanted to make a brief post and try to drum up some support for the EFF.org

The EFF has been working for a very long time to protect our rights in the digital & online world, and are starting a contest for people to go to defcon this year. A group of my friends have formed a team and we are trying to raise money, and stir up some competition, and get people donating to the EFF, not because we want to win (we are actually sponsoring part of the prize package), but because it really is a worthy organization.

Even a few dollars help.

Help keep bloggers rights going, so bloggers out there never have to worry about posting on the topics dear to them.

6 Healthy Habits That Can Make You Sick | Healthy and Green Living

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 20:00:00 +0000

6 Healthy Habits That Can Make You Sick | Healthy and Green Living

1. Over-Exercising
2. Staying Out of the Sun
3. Using Antibacterial Soaps and Gels
4. Sleeping (to much/To little)
5. Relying on Air Conditioning (recycled air)
6. Eating Organic Food (just because it's organic doesn't mean it's good for you!)

I just Donated, They really need medical aid in Haiti Right now.

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 02:31:00 +0000

Green Holidays

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:47:00 +0000

How to Green your Holidays. While not all of their suggestions might be plausible for everyone, they still have some nice tips. Even doing one or two things will help.

How To Green Your Holidays on Howcast

Why Frugal Is Fabulous, Cool, \"the new black\"

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 19:51:00 +0000

This is a really great article I wanted to share.

Why Frugal Is Fabulous, Cool, \"the new black\"

Our Best Bites: Easy Halloween Party Food

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:44:00 +0000

Our Best Bites: Easy Halloween Party Food

This site has some great ideas for Halloween food, makes me wish I was having a Halloween party!

Seven Tips to Help With Household Budgeting

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 01:16:00 +0000

This was recently passed along on a mailing list I am on, Thanks Kimmie!

Seven Tips to Help With Household Budgeting

1. Keep your financial records organized and your filing up to date. Have a set of file folders for items such as receipts, bills, canceled checks, checking account statements, etc. Have a designated place where you keep or can easily assemble your master budget, your financial files, checkbook, etc. so it is all in one convenient location.

2. Avoid spending cash, unless you are good at writing down cash expenses in a journal. It is all too easy to get $100 from the ATM and then have no idea where it all went at the end of the week. If you have trouble figuring out where your cash gets spent, keep a small amount of cash on hand for minor purchases. For everything else, try to pay by either a paper check, online checking or through credit cards so you have a record of your purchases. Credit cards are a good way to track purchases unless you have trouble controlling your spending. If this applies to you, then avoid credit card purchases and focus on keeping track of your expenses in a journal or by paying for items by check.

3. Give your children a set allowance for things like movies, CDs, snacks and toys instead of just giving them money on as needed basis. Giving children an allowance teaches them to make wise spending choices at an early age. A twelve year old who spends all of his allowance right away on CDs and then doesn't have enough money to go to the movies with his friends on the weekend has just learned a good lesson on the negative consequences of impulse spending.

4. Have a system in place for handling the mail. If you are not in the habit of misplacing bills or checks, good for you. Keep on using whatever system you have in place now. However, if losing track of bills is an issue at your house, it may help to have a designated mail drop box inside the house. Each family member should be instructed that whoever brings in the mail that day should always put the mail in the designated mail box for later sorting. Then the family member who has responsibility for sorting the mail should do so near the financial folders. That way checks get put right away in the check folder, bills in the bill folder, etc.

5. Avoid going to stores where you have had problems overspending in the past. Our neighbors stopped shopping at warehouse clubs and actually ended up saving money. They found they spent more money by not being able to resist all of the warehouse club bargains on products they really didn't need than they would by just getting their food at the local grocery store.

6. Have written, long term savings goals. Some sample goals might be getting out of debt, saving for a college, or building a retirement fund. It helps to avoid spending money on day to day purchases if you have financial goals in mind. Not having any compelling reasons to save makes it easier to fritter away money on small day to day purchases instead of saving for the long term.

7. Have a set time each week to review and pay the bills. If you have the money to pay your bills, there is no point in getting unneeded late fees due to disorganization or lost bills. If you make $15 an hour after taxes, then to make up for just one $30 late fee you would have to work an extra two hours to cover the fee.

Getting organized is one of the first steps to gaining control of your budget. Avoiding unnecessary late fees, paying bills on time, and having a good system in place for filing and paying your bills can all help to keep your household budget on the right track.

Source: Always Frugal by S. L. Simmons

How To Get A Free Education Online. | My Two Dollars

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 19:37:00 +0000

How To Get A Free Education Online. | My Two Dollars

My Two dollars (A fellow blog) has some great tips on getting Free educational material. Including MIT & University of Berkley.

Flu.gov

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 05:32:00 +0000

Flu.gov

For those of you who might be worried about H1N1 flu, or even the regular flu. There is now this lovely site that gives you all sorts of wonderful information. Including an online quiz to see if you have H1N1. Though it is a very short quiz. It is also in favor of the Vaccine. (I have a complete fear of needles, so I try to avoid them at all costs.) But it does have further information on the differences between the two types of flu that are going around lately.

If It Prints, I’ll Let You Know – Printer & Ink Cartridges Blog – Save Money With Online Printer Cartridge Coupons

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 23:10:00 +0000

If It Prints, I’ll Let You Know – Printer & Ink Cartridges Blog – Save Money With Online Printer Cartridge Coupons

Most people get their printer cartridges from stores, office stores, chain stores such as target, or even your local drugstores have them these days, one way to save money is to check online. This blog talks about how you can save 30%-50% on the cost of Ink Cartridges from sites online. Personally I get mine from Amazon.com. My printer takes 6 different individual cartridges, and last time I had to get them they were $14.95 for all 6. They start at about $10.00 a piece in the stores, even in stores that specialize in Printer Supplies.

Some people say that you can save money by refilling cartridges. In my experience, they don't last as long when being refilled. (I work for a place that refills them too) But even that isn't as cheap as getting them online.

How To Get Rid Of an Ice Cream Headache Video | General Cooking Videos | Howcast.com

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 17:55:00 +0000

How To Get Rid Of an Ice Cream Headache Video | General Cooking Videos | Howcast.com

I saw this in my email, and thought this was to funny not to post. It's one of those problems almost everyone has, though it's not very serious.

How To Get Rid Of an Ice Cream Headache on Howcast

Build Your Own Wire Photo Wall - DIY - Lifehacker

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 02:14:00 +0000

Build Your Own Wire Photo Wall - DIY - Lifehacker
This blog has a lovely idea on how to display photo & artwork. Lately If you check out the prices of frames, they can be expensive. This is a great modern way of showing off artwork & photos.
Check out the full blog post

Build Your Own Wire Photo Wall

By Gina Trapani, 9:00 AM on Sat Jun 7 2008, 76,563 views

One of the rooms in my new place has a bare white wall that was just crying out for some creative sprucing up—so armed with this previous Lifehacker post on a DIY photo wall project and a few ideas on how to modify it for my own tastes, I went ahead and created a cheap, easily-reconfigured photo wall. For under 20 bucks, using some wire, black card stock, and mini binder clips, it's easy to create your own wire photo hanger. Let's take a photo tour of how to get the job done.

What You'll Need

First, you'll need a bare wall with a place to screw mounts in about 1/4" away from the wall on either side, with no obstructions in between. You'll also need:

A length of cable that spans your wall. I got 1/16" thickness, and lots of extra length in case I screwed up. ($2.00 at your local home store)
2 wire sleeves, the same thickness as the wire, so 1/16" for me. ($0.78 at your local home store)
A set of 2 screw eyes. I got the 1 5/8" size. ($0.92 at your local home store)
1 screw eye with hook turnbuckle. I got the 5 1/4" size. ($4.13 at your local home store)

Of course, you'll need photo prints. In the original project that we linked, they used slats of wood to mount the photos on, but I didn't like that look—I wanted something darker and sleeker. So I went with black card stock—actually, the Staples near me didn't have that, so I used black certificate holders instead. Use double-sided tape to fasten the photos to the card stock, that looks like a faux matte.

My photos were originally digital, but I had them printed at a place that can automatically include a nice white border around them to make them stand out against the black background even more. (Coincidentally, Photoworks in San Francisco can print photos in Flickr, and they offer several border options, plus glossy or matte finish on the prints. I used them and I was pretty pleased with the results—except for a little unevenness on the side borders of one of the photos, the prints came out very well.)

Assembly

Gathering the supplies is the most annoying part of the project; once you've got those down, the fun begins. You can probably imagine where all the pieces fit, but let's step through them.

First, loop one end of the wire through the turnbuckle screw eye, and slip on one sleeve to seal the loop. Clamp down the sleeve to make it permanent. (I had trouble with this part; see the end for more info.)
Drill a hole on either end of your wall about 1/4" in and screw in the eye screws. Do yourself a favor and use a level. Update: Also, if you're not drilling into a stud, use wall anchors first, so you don't pull the screws right out of the drywall like I did. Unscrew the turnbuckle so it's as open (and wide) as it can be, then hook it onto an eye screw on one side of the wall.
Loop the other end of the wire around the other eye screw, and slip on the sleeve. Trim off any extra wire.
Pull the wire taut, and fasten the sleeve.
Now you should have a bit of slack in the line, but reduce it as much as you can. For the wire to support your photos, it needs to be tight. When your sleeves are clamped, tighten the wire by turning the middle part of the turnbuckle, which will contract it and pull it tighter.
Mount your photos on black card stock with double sided tape.
Clip the cards to the wire with mini binder clips.
Arrange and space the photos to your liking, and admire your finished product.
For a cleaner look, you can optionally remove the binder clip silver handles, as shown.

The main trouble I had with this project was getting the wire sleeves to clamp down—I'm going to have the toolmaster in my life take a look at them this weekend. (In the mean time, I made small knots in the wire outside each sleeve to hold them in place.) Also, cutting 1/16" thick wire isn't easy with regular around-the-house tools—you need a bona fide wire cutter.

But overall I'm pleased with the results of this project, given the price and time investment. The card stock isn't as sturdy as the wood slats in the original project, so mounting the card stock on wood slats may be a worthy upgrade.

What's your favorite, flexible, inexpensive way to mount art and photos around the house? Let us know in the comments.

New Chicago area code 872 goes into effect Nov. 7 - Message from Montie

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 19:01:00 +0000

New Chicago area code 872 goes into effect Nov. 7 - Message from Montie

Well as Chicago has been growing, it's time for yet another area code! Wee! The new one will be 872, and will cover.

The new area code, 872, will be used in the same geographic region. The 872 area code will be inChicago zones 1, 2, 5 and 11, locations where 312 and 773 area codes are used regularly as well. Keep in mind that people may use their cellular phones as a landline, and cell phone numbers will require the same dialing process: 1 + area code + phone number. I believe even if you are in the same area code, you will need to start dialing the area code.

Top 6 Ways to Cut Family Food Budget � Regal Springs Tilapia Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 04:02:00 +0000

Top 6 Ways to Cut Family Food Budget � Regal Springs Tilapia Blog

1. Try going meatless a few days a week and eat more salads and soups instead.

If your family is of the ‘meat and potatoes’ variety, you might want to start by cutting meat out of the menu just one day a week. Replace it with beans, tofu, or eggs. Once they’re used to this, increase the non-meat offering to two days a week and see if anyone notices. Another way to get even more out of a dollar: cook dried beans in your crock pot instead of buying canned. It saves you from excess sodium too!

2. Start your own garden to grow your own vegetables and herbs.

This takes a little more effort, but if you can manage it, gardening can save quite a lot of money. I have a friend with more cantaloupes than she knows what to do with. Personally, I have had more luck with herbs than actual fruits and vegetables, but that’s resulted in savings too. Herbs are expensive at the store. Having them fresh in my backyard means I’m making more of those recipes I used to skip over because of the pricey ingredients.

3. Make your own snacks with goodies like fruits, nuts, and pretzels.

To take this a step further, when fruits and veggies are in season or on sale - buy them. Buy lots of them and tell your family that’s the Snack of the Week. For those salty snacks, buy in bulk and package in plastic baggies for the lunches. That will save you bundles!

4. Utilize leftovers to the fullest … don’t let anything become unnecessary waste.

I work at home, and I LOOOOOVE me some leftovers (<- that’s me trying to be Southern) so this one’s easy for me. Think twice before you toss anything out. Veggies can always be used in a salad. Almost any kind of meats can be mixed into a chimichanga. And leftover scrambled eggs are great in fried rice or in a flour tortilla.

5. Cook in large batches to increase efficiency and prepare all meals weeks in advance.

If it can be doubled, double it. Then freeze it. If it’s good enough for [insert favorite purveyor of frozen food here], it’s good enough for you.

6. Maximize the use of a freezer to save food for as long as possible.

See #5 above, but also buy meat on sale. I cannot tell you how much money I’ve saved doing this one simple thing. Find out when the meat gets marked down at your grocery store and then buy it! You can easily save 20%-30% - and sometimes more - this way. Take the meat home and put it immediately into the freezer. You don’t have to have one of those super duty models. Most standard freezers hold plenty. The trick is to plan your weekly menus based on what you have in the freezer, and always be on the lookout for new discounted meat to replace it.

Planting Garlic

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 23:45:00 +0000

Someone recently asked about planting Garlic on a mailing list I am on, and this made me poke around on the internet and find this. I was initially looking to see what they planted. Think I will try to snag some of my sisters Garlic cloves and plant them this winter.

Prolonging the life of your Shaving Razor Blade

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 14:06:00 +0000

How Many Times Can You Use a Razor Blade to Shave? - The Cheapskate Blog - TIME.com

With the rising cost on most consumer products these days, it doesn't hurt to try to save in every possible way you can. One way is if you shave to reuse disposable razors. WiseBread.com offers tips on prolonging the life of your razor blade. Including some lesser known ways of prolonging the life of your razor, such as sharpening them with a pair of Jeans or Coating your Razor... Read More

This razor trick works likely as a function of being an effective way to dry the blade. But from my research, users are very happy using this technique, and have made a disposable razor last up to a year, so there may be some additional benefits to this strategy.

Simply run the razor along the entire leg of an old pair of jeans 20 times in each direction. Apparently the cross-fibers of the jeans do a bang-up job of either drying and/or sharpening the blades to keep them pristine.

There's a link to video of how to do it at LifeHacker.com.

Coat the Razor

Not only water, but oxygen in the air plus the salt from your skin will contribute to a razor’s quick demise. So not only drying but also coating your razor can protect it from the water, oxygen, and corrosion that dull the blade.

Soak vs Dip – Some people advocate soaking the razor in a cup or vial filled with the substances below and storing it this way between shaves, while others indicate that a quick dip will do everything necessary to coat the blades and preserve the razor’s shelf life.

Alcohol (eg: Rubbing Alcohol)

This dissipates the water, encourages drying, and sanitizes the razor for an extra benefit (especially if you are prone to acne problems).

Oil

There are a number of oils you can use depending on preference, availability, and cost:

Mineral Oil – This seems to be one of the most effective oils to use, as it is also good for your skin.

Grape seed / Almond Oil – The cost-conscious might want to use a mixture of these oils instead of mineral oil, which can fetch a specialized price.

Baby Oil – I read about a fellow who actually used baby oil after running out of mineral oil (in an attempt to save money), and apparently even baby oil works well.

Barbicide

This is a purpose-driven anti-rust formula used by hairdressers and barbers for their scissors, combs, and razors. A little bit can go a long way.

Vinegar

Yes, vinegar is even good for your razor. It’s also great at eliminating any mineral build-up on the razor over time. Gotta love the stuff!

Hybrid Approach – Alcohol and Oil

Some people like to dip the blade in alcohol to get the water off, then dip it in oil to protect the razor against the elements between shaves.

Omaha.com - The Omaha World-Herald: Community - School, bank offer Money 101

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 13:47:00 +0000

Omaha.com - The Omaha World-Herald: Community - School, bank offer Money 101

This is a great idea, I run into young adults in their early 20s who have no idea on the basics of a bank accounts and general financial items.

A Tip for helping stop the spread of Germs.

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 05:32:00 +0000

With Flu Season coming up again, it's important to be mindful of Germs. One way to help keep from getting tons of Germs, carry a package of wipes around in your car and wipe your hands down well after you come out of store or other places.

Home Made Febreze

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 18:56:00 +0000

Get an empty Spray bottle, you can reuse one from a cleaning product or buy one. (I recommend reusing, just make sure to clean it out real well!) Fill most of the way with Water. (about 2inches from the top of the bottle, a little more if it's a real narrow top.) Fill the rest of the space with your favorite liquid fabric softener. Can be used on cloth surfaces.

Remembering your License Plate Number

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 18:04:00 +0000

A Very brilliant lady on a mailling list that I read, posted this suggestion today for those of us that can't remember our license plate number! I don't know how many times I have needed that information (For City stickers and such too) and have had to run back out to my car!

Create an entry named "License Plate" in your contact list on your cell phone. Enter your license plate number and you will have that information at your fingertips.

This is great info to have at hotel check in, or in the unfortunate event that your car gets stolen, etc. Having that entry could be the difference between a quick recovery and a never-ending hassle.

Thanks Kimmie!

Mars Real Chocolate Relief Act Countdown

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 17:41:00 +0000

Mars Real Chocolate Relief Act Countdown

It's hard to say no to free Chocolate. Go to this site tomorrow, and get a coupon for A Free Candy Bar from MARS (M&Ms, Snickers, etc..) you can do this every Friday!

15 Ways to Save Big Bucks on Healthy Groceries

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 18:45:00 +0000

Here is a great article on ways to save some money while doing your grocery shopping while trying to eat healthy!

15 Ways to Save Big Bucks on Healthy Groceries

Beyond Clipping Coupons: Real-World Strategies that Work

-- By Liza Barnes, Health Educator

Have you ever experienced a feeling of sticker shock when the grocery store cashier announced your total? Do you wonder how such a large percentage of your paycheck fits into a few measly bags? Groceries are expensive, especially these days, when many of us are struggling to make ends meet and food prices continue to rise. And it’s going to get worse before it gets better. Fortunately, there are many ways to save money on your grocery bill—without giving up on your desire to eat healthier. We all have a variety of challenges and circumstances, so select the suggestions below that will work for you and your family.

Read more

Don’t shop on an empty stomach.
The cardinal sin of grocery shopping, hitting the store when you're hungry, will put you over budget faster than you can say "junk food." If you have no choice but to go to the store without a meal, buy an apple and some nuts (or another snack rich in protein and/or fiber) to munch on while you’re shopping.

Plan!
At the very least, make a list before you shop. At the very best, plan your weekly menu or list a few main dishes that you can eat throughout the week. This will save you not only money on your grocery bill by preventing you from buy (and possibly pitching) food you don't need, but also time and fuel savings, from fewer trips to the store for essential ingredients.

Buy generic.
Held to the same standards as name-brand versions, store-brand products are usually just as good, and less expensive. Generic products are available for nearly every product you can think of, so be on the lookout for them (and watch your savings add up).

Shop alone.
Sometimes this just isn’t possible, but if you can shop solo, you’ll be able to focus on finding the best deals and taking as much time as you need to make it through the store. In addition, no one else will be begging for items that aren't on your list.

Bring your calculator.
Sometimes the largest container of, say, tomato sauce, isn’t actually the best deal. Unless you like to do long division in your head, consider toting a pocket calculator when you head to the supermarket. It’ll make figuring out the real prices for items a lot easier. As long as you can afford it at the time, buy the brand and size of a product that has the lowest per-unit (per pound, ounce, etc) price to get more for your money.

Make smart substitutions.
This one may be hard for some of us, but it has the potential to save you a great deal. Think about what you eat, and then think about what may be a cheaper—at equally healthy—substitute. Like breakfast cereal? Oatmeal is usually cheaper. Love soda? Try sparkling water with a little fruit juice mixed in. Snack on chips? Pop some popcorn kernels on your stovetop instead. Be willing to make substitutions on brands and specific ingredients based on sales, too. You may find that a different brand or flavor of yogurt, for example, is a better deal one week. Snag it!

Buy whole foods.
Sometimes, the less processed a food is, the cheaper it is per serving. Apples may cost less than applesauce or apple juice. Canned black beans will be cheaper than refried beans. A block of cheese costs less than shredded cheese. Whole grains like brown rice and oats will be cheaper than processed cereals. Think about the original, whole food that a product is made from and decide if you can eat that whole food as-is or use it to make your own sauce, cereal or juice—instead of paying food manufacturers to do it for you.

Buy in bulk.
Long a staple of natural food stores, bulk or “bag and weigh” sections are now appearing in traditional supermarkets. Items like flour, beans, rice, nuts, and dried fruits are available for less than prepackaged versions of the same foods.

Don’t get stuck in the middle (of the grocery store).
Packaged foods have been condensed, salted, refined, sweetened, or otherwise processed. They may seem like a good deal, providing more calories for less money, but those calories usually aren't very nutritious. Resist the lure of the middle aisles and stick to the perimeter of the grocery store; you’ll save money and wind up with bags full of whole foods. When you do find yourself in the middle aisles, aim your gaze toward the top or bottom of the shelves, where the prices are usually lower. Grocers strategically place higher-priced products at eye level.

Eat your protein without the meat.
Try substituting one meat meal per week with a vegetarian meal to save money and benefit your health. Beans, eggs, and tofu all provide high-quality protein for a fraction of the cost of meat. Find more meat-free protein ideasand inexpensive meatless meal ideas.

Read ads and clip coupons.
A “loss leader” is a sale item that a store is actually selling at a loss in order to get you in the door. Take advantage of these deals when you see them, but remember, a good deal is only good if it’s on something you’d normally buy, not just something you’re buying because it’s on sale. Many sales and coupons are on less-than-healthy processed foods, so look for special deals on healthy items like yogurt, canned or frozen fruits and vegetables, and similar staples that have a longer shelf life.

DIY
If you’re really craving a special treat, make it from scratch. You can make it from healthier ingredients and spend less. Tell those muffins in the bakery case that are calling your name to hush and whip up a batch of some with whole grains, blueberries and honey at home that would put the store-bought ones to shame.

Eat seasonally.
In-season produce costs less, thanks to the law of supply and demand. You might miss having tomatoes in the heart of winter, but the fresh, perfect tomatoes of summer taste better, cost less and are more nutritious anyway. Check out sales flyers and base your menu off fresh foods that are available right now (instead of foods that have to travel across the country or an ocean to make it to your store). Make a trip to your local farmers market to get some great prices on local produce.

Carry out—from your kitchen.
Packing your lunch, snacks, drinks, and other meals are usually less expensive and healthier than eating out. It will require more planning, but the dollars you save will be worth your time in the end. If necessary, invest in some reusable lunch bags and containers instead of buying disposable sacks and baggies for your food week after week.

Grow your own food.
Plants are cheap, and seeds are even cheaper. You can grow your own fruits and vegetables—tomatoes, peppers, squash, garlic, onions, broccoli, herbs, and many more delicious crops—right in your very own backyard (or in containers on your balcony) with a minimal amount of effort. They’ll save you money and taste far better than store-bought. If you’d like some instant gratification, consider sprouting, which you can do in a few days right on your kitchen countertop. Alfalfa, sunflower, broccoli or bean sprouts add a nutritious crunch to sandwiches, wraps, and salads.

When it comes to saving money on food, you often have to sacrifice more of your own time—planning, cooking, growing and clipping coupons—but most people agree that it's worth the time they put into it. All of these tasks will become easier and more efficient after a while. You may find that shopping, cooking and eating will become that much more rewarding, and not just for your wallet!

How Clean is your water?

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 22:33:00 +0000

The Clean Water Act Isn't Very, NYT Investigation Finds : TreeHugger

This article at TreeHugger.Com has a link to a site which allows you to check to see if there have been any violations in your area for the Clean Water Act. With an interactive Map. Pretty interesting stuff to see who's doing what.

Valley group meets to swap clothes and save money - Phoenix Arizona news, breaking news, local news, weather radar, traffic from ABC15 News | ABC15.co

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 22:16:00 +0000

Valley group meets to swap clothes and save money - Phoenix Arizona news, breaking news, local news, weather radar, traffic from ABC15 News | ABC15.com

Thought this was an interesting news blurb. I wonder if there are any clothing swaps in Chicago. I could see this being extremely useful if you have kids as they are growing like crazy.