I was on a field trip today at the pumpkin patch.  They had a gift store which had a nice covered porch, complete with rocking chairs and decorations.  I’m glad I walked up to the porch because I spotted these cute planters which are simply old dresser drawers.  My husband and I enjoy antiques, rustic decorations, and repurposing old items so I really liked this idea. 

Seeing these dresser drawer planters has stirred a curiosity for other things you can do with dresser drawers.  Rather than tossing your old drawers to the curb, consider one of these ideas:

Underbed storage – Better Homes & …read more

Brrrr!  I didn’t realize we were going to bypass fall and go right into winter.  Given that fall is my favorite season, this cold weather is a disappointment to me. 

Since winter is on the way, here are some ways to save on your winter energy bill.
1)  Install a programmable thermostat.  Have your thermostat drop down a few degrees each day while you’re at work.
2)  Change your filters every month.  Dirty filters can increase your bills by 20% each month.
3)  Keep your thermostat at 68F or below.  Wear a sweatshirt if you need to.
4)  Make sure your fireplace damper fits well.  …read more

Some folks don’t recycle because they feel it’s too much of a bother. Separating items in your home takes a little more time and can be messy. There are some attractive recycling containers out there which help to make recycling more organized and easier on the eye.

Mini Waste Hanging Basket – While this container isn’t the most attractive out there, it’s convenient and inexpensive. The hanging basket hooks on to the waste basket which makes recycling easier. This would be a convenient way to recycle at work. Simply throw your plastic bottles and paper into the hanging basket. At $4.51, it’s …read more

Water is a natural resource that we should try to conserve.  Here are some easy every day ways to use less water.

1)  Take a 5 minute shower.  If this is hard for you, consider getting a timer.
2)  Make sure your shower head is one that is designed to reduce water usage.
3)  Use your dishwasher.  According to Consumer Reports, even if you are frugal with your water, an efficient dishwasher can use less water than washing dishes by hand.
4)  Only use your dishwasher and washing machine for full loads.
5)  Adjust the washing machine water level to match the amount of clothes.  If …read more

You’ve heard it said many times that paper napkins are not good for the environment and that we should switch to cloth napkins and washable products as much as possible.  While I’m no self-proclaimed Tree Hugger, I do many things to cut back our our expenses and I try to recycle and cut back on waste as well.

I had been giving a lot of thought to our family using cloth napkins.  The problems that I faced were:

We have three kids; three young kids.  Trust me, these three kids are so messy.
The extra washing from the napkins.  I have enough laundry …read more

Better Homes & Gardens has come up with some neat crafts made with recycled materials.  The picture frame shown below really caught my eye. It is made from magazine pages and cardboard.  I’m thinking that this would be a colorful and creative way to bring an old picture frame back to life. 

There are 12 low cost recycled craft ideas, which include:

fabric scrap balls
patterned paper book covers
yardstick frames  and vintage tin crafts supplies organizer
painted jewelry box
homemade license plate art
magazine page frame and storage box
paint cans turned organizer
beaded luminarias
paper covered jewelry boxes

Some of these crafts use items that you might have lying around the house …read more

Guest post by Bekah.
Everyone knows it’s good to be as green as possible, but the high price of many organic products can have people reaching for conventional chemical-based pesticides and fertilizers. Well, there are plenty of ways to be frugal – and eco-friendly – with gardening and yard maintenance.

Weed Control
There are many ways to deal with weeds. You could use stand-bys like Round-Up, which is readily available. But did you know that there are eco-friendly options that are safer for pets and kids – and cheaper? One option is to get a weed puller. There are many options out there, …read more

Although do not consider myself a tree hugger, I try to do things that help the environment.  These things usually help my pocketbook, as well. 

Some of the ways I try to help are:
1.  I bring my own reusable bags to the grocery store.  Yes, sometimes I encounter some rolled-eyes from the baggers or heavy sighs, but I like bringing in my own bags.  I can’t stand all of those plastic ones filling up my house.  Besides, the reusable ones hold more and don’t break.
2.  I reuse the plastic bags. If I happen to forget my plastic bags or didn’t bring in enough reusable ones, …read more

One year after launching its Green Works brand, Clorox is announcing the addition of the new Green Works Natural Biodegradable Cleaning Wipes to its line of natural cleaning products.  The Clorox Green Works line has become the top seller among natural cleaners. 
The Green Works Natural Biodegradable Cleaning Wipes are 99% natural and are made from 100% cellulose fibers and derived from renewable farm grown trees.  They are formulated using biodegradable ingredients, packaged in recycled materials, and are not tested on animals.
These wipes work on grease, grime, dirt, soils and messes, and are safe to use on multiple surfaces through the home.  …read more

Over the past year or so, I have become quite a fan of vinegar.  I have learned that it cleans very well, is inexpensive, and safe for your family and pets.  Here are some of the ways to clean with vinegar:
1.  Add 1/4 cup vinegar to laundry, along with the usual soap, to brighten colors and make whites sparkle.  Also helps kills athlete’s foot germs on socks.
2.  Soak or simmer stuck-on food in 2 cups of water and 1/2 cup of vinegar.  The food will soften and lift off in a few minutes.
3.  Remove ink stains from clothes by soaking them …read more