Save Some Dough This December

. . . And have more money for baking. Glamour magazine’s December issue states that of those readers polled, 55% spend $500 or more on gifts. If you’re looking for ways to cut back on holiday spending (and who isn’t?), try these ideas:

• Give selectively. I am not the first to lament that Christmas has become an escalating consumer-fest, but have you really considered what that means for you ? I bet you can remember, right now, a recent time you gave a gift to someone and wondered why you needed to. The answer is: you don’t need to! Start your own campaign to give meaningful gifts and to give them meaningfully, which requires a) only giving gifts to those you wish to give to, and b) giving gifts for their significance and not their price or status. Those who love you will understand any reduction in quantity, and those who don’t? They don’t deserve a present, anyway.
• Give homemade. Simple homemade gifts, elegantly presented, are great for giving to those you know less intimately. It’s a way of being thoughtful without spending too much, and it’s not hard to find ideas that don’t require special cooking or crafting expertise. Consider trying these ideas: Cinnamon and Applesauce Ornaments; Holiday Gift Ideas (scroll down); and Gifts in a Jar.
• Send an e-card. I know, I know; they’re not made of beautiful paper with glitter, gilt, and ribbons, and they’re definitely harder to display in your home, but e-cards are often free, and the environmental benefit is great. Even if your family won’t stand for such things, send e-cards to your extended friend and co-worker network. It’ll save you money on stamps, cards, and gas to drive to the card store and post office. The Nature Conservancy has some pretty e-cards to get your started. You could even make your own; all you need to know is how to paste a picture into an email!
• Don’t buy into fancy trimmings. You don’t need the blow-up snowglobes (they reek of planet-wrecking anyway), the timed light display, or even the designer wrapping paper. Try focusing on the spiritual purpose of Christmas, and when tempted, remember that people care more about what is in the package than what it’s wrapped in.
• Cut down on the little things. Make a few sacrifices in your own life to meet more needs this holiday, especially if current conditions have you strapped for cash. Don’t buy unnecessary luxury goods like liquid hand soap (use a bar); special candy for your home (you’ll likely eat your fill elsewhere); and coffee from coffee shops (buy ground coffee in bulk and brew at home). Think ahead to save even more: can you push your haircut to right before peak holiday party time? Can you do all your shopping online or in one big day instead of making many trips?

One last tip: check RetailMeNot.com for coupon codes before making online purchases. Have a relaxing and simple holiday season!

Simplify the Holidays

Once again, saving money often saves resources. Surprisingly, a commercial website, Right@Home, has a great list of (albeit brand name-dropping) tips for simpler, cheaper holiday celebrations and gift-giving.

How are you going to reduce waste in your life and the world this season?

A few ideas that readily come to my mind are: sending homemade, recycled-paper, or e-cards; making homemade wrapping paper and gifts; asking friends or family if they would be willing to forgo present-giving for a meaningful get-together; requesting or giving charitable donations in place of presents. Too many web resources exist on these ideas; do a search and check ‘em out!

Good for you, good for the planet.

I’m in a busy season in life, and it’s full of things to think about. So, right now, I’m trying to relax and recuperate, which means the thoughtful post I’ve been working on is yet to come. Perhaps that is why I’m intrigued by yet another example of how saving resources and living simply often go hand in hand. This article by Joanna Zucker, author of Millennium Mom, was featured on a commercial marketing site, but it’s full of great ideas that will reduce energy waste while preserving sanity during busy times. I’m a particular fan of the tips on reusable wrapping materials and saving boxes for future shipping (collapse them for storage under couches and beds). I’m also intrigued by the idea of cooking and freezing extral meals when you have the time to do it; the environmental benefit of firing up the kitchen appliances less often might be small, but it’s something.

Enjoy the article, and check back soon for one of my own.

Green Cleaning for Way Less (of Everything)

First of all, a shout-out goes to Ecollo for linking to my post on small habits with big consequences. It’s my first “official” link, and I’m stoked!

Now, to the topic at hand. Much as I love them, all of the green and supposedly-green cleaning products introduced or made popular recently can’t compare in economy to those made with multi-purpose household ingredients. Although I don’t clean as much as I should, I have for some years taken notice of the easily available materials that far surpass purchased products in simple, wholesome effectiveness. Despite the claims of all green cleaners, the simpler the product, the fewer the possibilities for allergic reactions and other harmful consequences from the ingredients. Natural, homemade cleaners have the potential to be better for indoor air quality and the health of our bodies and planet, if we do a little research first.

The heavyweight champion for general cleaning is white vinegar. It can be bought on the cheap, diluted, and used in countless ways (though some have tried to count them). Click here to go to Ideal Bite’s great post on the subject. Also, Heifer International’s World Ark magazine (September/October 2008) recently featured this tidbit on vinegar’s power as an antibacterial alternative:

A Simple Solution for Clean Produce

Those pricey bottles of produce wash aren’t the only way to make sure your fruits and veggies are bacteria-free. Good, old-fashioned white vinegar kills 98 percent of bacteria [emphasis mine], according to researchers at Cooks Illustrated and the Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at Tennessee State University. Simply mix one part vinegar to three parts water. Keep the solution in a spray bottle and use on smooth-skinned produce. Coat thoroughly–five or six squirts should do it–then rinse under cold water.

Be advised that some household cleaning standbys, like ammonia and chlorine bleach, may be traditional but not most desirable; gentler products are available, such as baking soda, tea tree oil, lemon juice and more. EarthEasy’s page has good starter information on safe and natural cleaning materials and formulas for specific jobs. As always, the web is an abundant resource, but use caution when following advice, and never mix products containing ammonia and bleach.

Finally, many books have been written for those on the quest for a cleaner, greener home; a classic is Better Basics for the Home by Annie Berthold-Bond. If you have any must-use formulas, feel free to share!

Small Ways People Waste BIG Money and Resources

We’ve all heard that small things can add up fast. Here, in my completely subjective list, are the biggest money-and-resource wasters of our modern lives, in no particular order:

1. A daily coffee shop habit. Every time you pay $2.50 for a double skim latte (or whatever), you could be making that puppy at home. For a lot less money. And if you don’t bring along a reusable mug or cup, you’re wasting more than money. Try saving the coffee shop trips for special days and time with friends and family.

2. A weekly take-out habit. Obviously, a similar principle applies here as above: choose the DIY version more often, and you’ll be surprised how little you miss spending the extra cash. Still don’t want to cook? That’s okay–store-bought convenience foods, if chosen wisely, can still be fast, yet cheaper and with less packaging.

3. Idling a vehicle. My husband and I never cease to be amazed at the ways people waste gas and hard-earned money by idling cars: in the drive-through lane; at notoriously long traffic lights; while waiting for their spouse to deposit checks/buy the milk–you get the idea. It doesn’t hurt your car to turn it off, and it pays in the long run. Try it; you just might like it.

4. Throwing things away unnecessarily. When I was in elementary school, someone told me that you need to get new things for school each year, regardless of how well the old things are holding up.
I see this attitude in the trash piles of neighbors–perfectly good items cast off for the new. In college, my friends and I watched as other students placed year-old appliances and furniture into dumpsters to make moving easier. Clearly, the scrimp and save mentality is no longer in vogue, but it’s not dead if we don’t want it to be.

5. Buying what you won’t want later. Avoid guilt and waste with a little forethought. Will that slushy maker pay for itself? Do you need the 10-oz steak? Will one doughnut suffice? You can also try the time-honored trick: If you go away from the item and still pine for it a month later, it might be a good investment. Of course, it’s still a good idea to think about any impact on the earth before you buy.

6. Fearing public opinion. And by public, I mean your parents, your best friend, those neighbors your don’t even like . . . most of the time we overestimate in our minds how much people will actually notice about our lives and choices, anyway. But even if people take notice when you start bringing your own coffee or buying less stuff, the important thing remains: how you feel about these choices.

Walkable Cities on the Web

I just heard of a great site called Walk Score. While the site’s owners are the first to admit that the system isn’t perfect (yet), it does allow you to see the “walkability”–suitability for walking, that is–of a town and its amenities in a sidebar list. The google map is displayed for you as well. Check out your own town, your friends’ and families’ towns, and maybe a town or two you have been curious about. Or, learn about places that you didn’t even know were there. A coffee shop on Second? Who knew?

In addition to being fun to use, Walk Score makes walkable cities cool and encourages the meandering lifestyle. That’s something applaud.

(Thanks to The Nest.com for the tip)

Renting is the new buying, and Hummers take a dive

Renting household items may be a great alternative to buying, whether you a) have next to no space for new things, b) don’t want the hassle of arranging, storing, and dusting new things, or c) want to lighten your contribution to the local landfill. Now I’m not advocating those “rent-to-own” places that enslave you for a new T.V., but there are small-scale renting options popping up around the web that are worth a look. Zilok allows you to rent out or to rent from others anything from laptops to golf clubs to evening gowns. For the book-hungry, BookSwim has monthly rental plans that work like Netflix and start as low as 14.99.

In other news, here’s a positive update–according to an article on CNN Money.com, GM is shifting its auto production from 50% cars to 60% in the wake of gasoline price-induced consumer spending changes. Also,

GM is launching a strategic review of its Hummer line of heavy trucks and . . . may sell the unit, though finding a buyer will likely prove difficult.

“This is very difficult environment to sell a brand like that,” Mainstay’s Kudla said. “Unfortunately for GM, Hummer just doesn’t have much consumer appeal at this point.”

The proof is in the numbers. Hummer sales were almost cut in half in April compared to a year earlier, with 2,380 moving off the lots down from 4,375 in 2007.

I was going to say sorry to those who like Hummers, but tolerance has its limits. There’s never been a reason to appreciate Hummers as civilian vehicles, and unless you live on on a craggy outer planet, it doesn’t seem like there ever will be.

Paper Redux, Part Two: Junk and Other Mail

The outcry began almost a decade ago, but now there are finally several options for reducing the flow of unwanted catalogs. Catalog Choice users select catalogs from the list provided, and the site takes care of removing users’ names from the mailing lists. As more people use the service, Catalog Choice says it will be able to acquire more catalogs for its list.

GreenDimes costs $20 for a several-year benefit but includes a larger list of catalogs and other junk mailings. I know people who have used this service and are satisfied with the results. If you are swimming in junk mail, what could it hurt?

SmartMoney.com has a useful article on other ways to stop junk mail, including those pre-screened credit card invitations some people can’t resist.

One final tip for stemming the white tide: pay your bills and receive you banking, credit card, and investment statements online. Many institutions now provide checking and savings accounts with free online banking, so ask at your bank first before making a switch. Financial institutions take many precautions to insure, as much as anyone can, that your identity is protected, and not having to deal with the paper copies is a priceless benefit. Above all, remember this: you’re helping the environment with every piece of mail you avoid.

What to Do About the Organic Food Dilemma

The New York Times recently reported on the quickly rising prices of some organic staple foods, like milk and bakery products. Grocery prices in general rose last year, and organic farmers are beginning to abandon the organic label, citing expensive organic feed for livestock and a shrinking profit margin over conventional foods. Compounding the difficulties are rising fuel prices and a lengthy process for obtaining organic certification.

Many people try to decide which organic products are really worth the price–which provide the most reduction in pesticide exposure? This question has become even more relevant in the current economic climate, and resources abound. Check out Dr. Green’s Organic Prescription for his take on the most crucial organic buys, particularly for families with children. (Can you guess the top must-have?) And be sure to get the new pocket guide to what to buy in the produce section, courtesy of the Environmental Working Group. They even score the level of pesticides in fruits and vegetables. (Preview: organic onions are a waste of money.)

Fun With Next to Nothing

This is the first of probably many shout-outs to my parents. Growing up, I would declare boredom in waiting rooms, restaurants, backseats, and many other places. My parents would immediately come up with a game, or my father would create a flower or toy out of the McDonald’s napkins. When I smiled in relief, my father would often exclaim, “See? Fun with next to nothing!”

This was only one of the ways my parents taught me the benefits of frugality by example. Now, there are the extremely frugal–those who write books on living off the grid and such–who can be commended for living lightly on the earth. But practical frugality doesn’t require you to give up the investment possessions that may contribute to your happiness, whether to you that means a house or a T.V. or a chic trenchcoat or a new Jeep. What it does do is teach you to be happier with what you have–whatever that is. It also inspires creativity, and that’s something the world needs more than ever.

Yes, frugality can be fun, and it usually is, if you’re doing it right. Although I complain when I know I should live without the gourmet chocolates, most of the time it is enjoyable to see how little money we can spend on food and other goods. Everyone loves a bargain, and hunting for one is certainly a staple of frugal living. Here are few other ways to live more lightly on the earth and on your wallet:

• Invent a solution. Sometimes I’ve wanted things without wanting to pay the price. So, I’ve made my own flower press out of cardboard and rubber bands (which I still use today); I’ve made greeting cards out of pieces of other cards and leftover craft materials. In college, a friend made me a shelf for my coffee and filters out of cardboard, thumb tacks, and string. And a certain man I know made a camera bag out of an old sock. A good resource for making something out of nothing is The Complete Tightwad Gazette.
  
• Try less . . . and I don’t mean stop attempting things. Try to use less of any product you routinely use, and keep using less until you notice a difference. Chances are, you will be surprised how long it takes you to notice a different result, but you will notice the difference in how often you buy the product. Great things to try this with are shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, dishwashing liquid, laundry detergent . . . you get the idea. A related tip is to cut the remainder of a product with water to make it last longer. This works especially well with liquid hand soaps. Can you believe they are selling foam hand soap when you can make it yourself?
• Wash clothes in cold water. You will seldom have a time when you need to wash clothes in even luke-warm water. Cold water washes and rinses as well as warm or hot for all but the most obstinate stains.
• Play a game. Even though I have been wanting to get a coffee from the locally famous Queen City Creamery cafe, I keep telling myself, “wait some more.” It’s become a sort of competition with myself, and it adds an element of fun and accomplishment to frugality. The self-control game is not the only variation; try making dinner from what’s in your house right now. Many people don’t realize how much food is in those assorted cans, and this is another way to strengthen your creative (and culinary) powers.
• Find fun for free. Open your favorite search engine and type in “free activities in [city or place of choice].” There is an amazing wealth of parks, museums, and other attractions in most cities.
• Enact a moratorium. Yet another variation of the “play a game” tip above, this entails not buying any new books until you read what you have, or not buying new clothes until you’ve tried on and refined your existing wardrobe (stylists call this “shopping your closet,” and it’s all the rage right now). You can let yourself work around the moratorium, of course; for books, try getting library card. For clothes, try online clothing swap sites. For both books and clothes, try exchanging with friends.

More ideas will follow, but they deserve their own posts. Please share your own ideas in the comments.