Category Archives: Budget Environmentalism

The Right to a Clothesline?

This is really cool, I think. There’s a new movement trying to get states to make laws keeping homeowner’s associations from banning clotheslines.

I love the idea. So far as I’m concerned, most homeowner’s associations go too far in trying to protect property values in their area. The back yard really is none of their business, even if it can be seen from the street.

I’ve seen them be too invasive in other areas, such as one that demanded trash cans be out no more than an hour before or after pickup. Yes, really. Happened to my husband’s friend. All a part of why I would do a lot to live in an area without homeowner’s associations once I can buy my own.

I still haven’t figured out what to do about a clothesline in the house we’re renting. So far as I’m concerned, the huge part of the yard covered in nothing but woodchips is utterly perfect, except that there’s nothing to attach one to. The back fence is cinderblock with rebar and filled with concrete (massively overbuilt, I have no idea why).

But for those of you who haven’t been able to hang a clothesline due to HOAs, there’s light at the end of that tunnel in some states.

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Green Keep Cool Ideas for the Family

It’s hot today where I live. 98 degrees F, and a warming trend expected for next week.

As you can probably imagine, my kids aren’t too interested in playing outside, unless it’s in the kiddie pool, and I’d rather let the sun get a bit lower in the sky before we do that, just to avoid sunburns and heat exhaustion. My kids tan well, but I burn very easily.

sunglasses

Today we’ve been having to come up with ways to stay fairly cool indoors. I’ve resorted to using the air conditioner. It’s set to around 80-82, not that it gets that low in here in this weather. I covered the windows that allow the most heat in so they have a little more insulation too. That makes a wonderful difference.

But the hardest thing is keeping the kids busy without just plopping them in front of the television.

Started out by making them a tent out of the couch cushions. Great fun for them, at least an hour’s creative play. Continue reading →

Back to School in Green

Yes, I am thinking a lot about back to school. It started with wondering how on earth I’m going to come up with good lunches for my picky daughter (leading to my new interest in Laptop Lunches and other reusable lunch bags), but I do have to get other things for my daughter too.

back to school

No backpack, though. Her one from last year is just fine. She still loves it and it’s in great condition.

Office Depot offers an entire Buy Green section on their site. I’m rather fond of them since I don’t have a car available to me when my husband’s at work and they deliver for free on orders over $50. If you’ve every had to buy printer ink, you know how easy that is to reach. And they do have printer cartridge recycling available too, although I think you have to go in store for that.

I think sometimes they use the AP nontoxic certification to mean green, at least with crayons and markers, rather than any sort of more clearly green standard. I could wish for a more clear standard on these things, or maybe the soybean crayons I hear Prang makes. Continue reading →

Green School Lunches That Won’t Turn Your Child Green

School is going to start up again very soon in my area. My daughter will be entering kindergarten this year, and I’m having to face making lunches for her to bring to school, as her class runs until 1:00 in the afternoon.

I’ve had to deal with snacktime during her time in preschool, but this will be the first time I have to get her a lunch ready. And she loathes peanut butter, which has to be “genetic” or something. I don’t like it either, nor does my paternal grandmother. And yes, I am pretty much joking about the genetic aspect. It’s just funny seeing so much of that in one family.

I’m loving the sound of the Laptop Lunches Bento Box from ReusableBags.com. They look so clever, and would give me the flexibility I think I’ll need to cope with such a picky eater. 5 reusable containers in one box, and the option to buy a sleeve with room for an ice pack to keep things cool.

I should take back that picky eater part, though. She’s not that picky in a lot of ways. Loves most vegetables and fruits. It’s just the classic lunch foods that disinterest her.

What’s really nice is that they include a little recipe book with the box. I know I need ideas! I have about a week and a half before school starts (yes, midweek).

So far, I’m thinking pasta salads, rice dishes, nuts, and of course lots of fruits and vegetables. Many of these I need to test on her to figure out which she will enjoy day after day. Much too hard to make a single serving for just one 5 year old. I’d rather make enough to not need to prepare something every day.

I just love the idea of being able to provide her with healthy lunches without all the disposable junk that so often accompanies children’s lunches at school. Last year she was almost the only kid in her preschool class using reusable containers for snacktime – beyond the lunch bag the snacks were carried in, of course.

What do you have your kids bring to school for their lunches? Do their schools offer a good lunch?

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Are You Falling for Green Consumerism?

It’s a wonderful time to decide to be more environmentally friendly in your buying decisions. There are many products available and the prices are getting better. But where people often fall short of their green goals is in really thinking about the environment.

Do you really need to make that purchase right now?

Buying green is a great way to feel good about what you’re buying. You’re buying products that were made in a manner that is less harmful to the environment. Maybe they’re even supporting other environmental causes. And you get new stuff!

The trouble is that many people still buy a ton of stuff they don’t need, while thinking about the green aspects of their purchase. If you’re buying bamboo sheets to replace your old ones, did you stop to think about whether or not your old sheets really needed replacing? Many people replace items that haven’t worn out yet just so that they can buy the more environmentally friendly item.

If you think about that, it makes little sense. You can do a bit better if you don’t just throw out the old item, but donate it to charity or give it to someone else who needs it, but excessive consumption is still a problem. Continue reading →