Just by looking through a few older but still recent receipts I determined how much money we spent on each thing in our house. I had a long list. We’re talking shampoo, lotion, razors, dish soap, bananas in a week x4. You get the point. I added it all up and gave each category a dollar amount. Diapers, razors, shampoo, etc. all went into personal care. Dish soap, toilet paper, etc. belonged to household supplies. In the end our categories that were not fixed amounts for the most part were:

Groceries
Personal Care
Household Supplies
Clothing
Housecleaning
Childcare
Kids Activities
Healthcare (supplements, remedies, naturopath visits, etc)
Gym/Sports
Entertainment
Car repair/maintenance
Fuel
Gifts/Crafts

I keep an envelope for each category and I have the amount budgeted written on the front of the envelope. After each purchase I put the receipt in the envelope and write a new amount available on the front of the envelope with the month and day. All I ever have to do is look at the last entry to see what can be spent. With this method you can choose to continue to use a debit card or you can even use cash and store the cash in the envelope as well. Either way it gives a good visual perspective to the money that is flowing out of the house. We budget pretty tightly so there typically isn’t any money leftover from any category as that is the point but any money that is left over gets moved to a savings account and is an added bonus.

So how does budgeting relate to reducing? Over the last three months I have experienced first hand how quickly needs and wants get separated when their is a definitive amount of resources available during a particular time. For example, if I have budgeted $50 for household supplies and I’m in the third week of the month and only have $15 of it available and I need toilet paper and some toothpaste but see a storage container on sale that I could use but don’t most likely don’t need, I immediately have to sort my need from my want because I surely don’t want to go without toilet paper. I guess I could take reducing a step further and use cloth wipes but…um…yeah. Not happening right now.

When I am faced with an item on clearance I like to remind myself that there will always be another sale. Usually the sale price isn’t even that awesome and if it was then the purchase would probably fit into the amount of money you have left while still getting the much needed toilet paper.

The thought of the storage container brings up the idea of how resourceful a person can become when on a pre-determined budget. Maybe some items can be off-loaded to free up storage space or a cardboard box in good condition can be cut and even decorated with fancy paper to make a storage container. I actually sort some of my pantry items in boxes like I mentioned only I haven’t decorated them although I do have some storage box making on the agenda but it’s not a priority.

I love having a clothing budget because it has actually made me feel so much better about any clothing purchases that I do make because I have really been below budget for a long time and now I can feel free to get something that I really want without feeling guilty. I still sift the racks at my favorite thrift stores though because I especially do not like paying full price for children’s clothing.

Passing something up in the store is the first step to reducing but what about at home? I have found that having a defined budget set in place keeps me mindful of how much of something I am using. You better believe I am getting out the funnel to get every last drop of dish soap out of that bottle! And this goes for just about everything from the toilet paper to the food in the refrigerator. We even bought an extra set of glass containers (that I love by the way) so that we weren’t spending money on the little wax paper storage bags anymore.

The biggest waste reduction in our home that I notice is with food. Ugh…I despise throwing out food. It really ruins my mood and so when I shop strictly by the weekly for food with a grocery list that is specific to my menu we toss out far less food than we do when we are wandering through the week searching for meal options and the mama is much happier. It’s amazing the circumstances that we can change if we just consider what we would like things to look like and do a little problem-solving.

Do you have a budget in place? If you do does it help you reduce your overall consumption and waste of products?

I did spend a bit of time entering some sweepstakes. Namely the ones for road bikes and a GORE cycling jacket. How cool would it be if I was the winner of a new bike considering I have committed to my first triathlon ever this June 2010 and my good friend Robin and her husband Wayne are letting me train and race on their road bike because I don’t have one. I will be checking back at Ecobungaoften for new green giveaways, sweepstakes and organic coupons.

assume this balance exists because the majority of gardeners in our neighborhood would presumably be choosing organic and alternative gardening methods that omit the use of pesticides. I feel safe to say this seeing as I speak with a lot of them and the culture tends to have a strong lean in that direction in the first place.

This photo isn’t nearly as fun as the idea of catching two lady beetles on a blanket but I had to stop and take a snap when we had this little bug move in with us for over a week.

It must have been the basil growing in the window that brought the bug in we escorted her outside when we found her flipped on her back and unable to get upright.

p.s. Am I the only one who gets a little worried when kids are plucking ladybugs off of plants using their pointer finger and thumb? I always worry they are going to squish it or break the exoskeleton or wings. Makes me want to find out exactly how fragile lady bugs are…

We have had one casualty and a couple of injuries though. One of the sunflowers just didn’t make it. He got sort of floppy one day so I watered him some more but he just didn’t make it. This has sort of created a wide open “window” I guess. The morning glory will climb up in that area so I will train it to climb onto the next available sunflower stalk.

Earlier today a neighbor friend came over with her children and one of the toddlers walked right through two sunflower and held them in his hands as he continued to walk! (holds heart in hand) His little foot crushed the morning glory and thankfully the sunflowers bounced right back up. In no time at all the sunflowers will have created the walls that will make it the magical sunflower house we have been waiting for and I know all children will be drawn to the door so they can walk inside…..I’m sure we won’t have to worry about them trying to walk through any walls.

If you would like to build your own sunflower house start here with our instructions for natural outdoor play spaces.

My brother-in-law will not allow anyone else to wash his two vehicles so I know that these kind of people do exist although I do not personally relate. So if you must wash your car in the driveway first make sure you are using a phosphate free, biodegradable soap. Simple Green makes a car wash soap that is biodegradable or you can even make your own homemade car wash. If you can, wash your car on the grass. Biodegradable soaps do need to travel through soil to biodegrade properly. If you are washing the soap down the driveway and into the gutter it is entering storm drains and will end up in nearby creeks, rivers and oceans.

Choosing a commercial car wash can be a more planet friendly choice. Most commercial car washes have regulations they have to follow regarding the treatment of the water and they also recycle rinse water. The actual usage of h2O can be much lower when using a commercial car wash. But make sure the carwash you use does recycle water. If it doesn’t, you would be better off washing your car on the lawn with biodegradable soap and a nozzle on the end of the hose to keep water from flowing.

If the car wash is a fundraiser, check with your city to see if they offer free fish-friendly car wash kits. (tip: try googling “your city+fish friendly car wash kit.”)

More tips on cleaning up our water.

Can I tell you just how fun it is to hang clothes? I know it may feel like another thing on the to-do list and how would you ever find time to hang clothes out to dry but I have to say that when they come off the line you are left with clothes that are in a somewhat orderly fashion.

If you’ve been thinking about line-drying let me encourage you to stop procrastinating and let this be the summer you enjoy your domestic duty of laundering the family clothes. Check out our easy-to-read instructions on how to build a clothesline.

An About Soap Nuts Quicky
Soap nuts grow on Sapindus trees and they contain saponin. This saponin is released when the harvested shells come in contact with warm or hot water. Soap nuts have become a popular environmentally friendly alternative to manufactured, chemical detergents. They are also safe for washing delicates, silks and woolens.

Why Use Soap Nuts
One good reason of course is the environmentally friendliness of soapnuts. They don’t require any manufacturing to be made since they just grow on trees. Soapnuts also have natural anti-microbial agents so there is no need to add bleach to kill bacteria. People with sensitive skin can also benefit from the seeds of the Sapindus tree because the nuts have proven to be gentle and effective for those who suffer from eczema, psoriasis and other skin conditions.

Amazingly enough, soap nuts even have insecticidal properties and can be used as a wash for the treatment of lice or gardening.

If you are using cloth diapers and have experienced annoying problems with build up, soap nuts may be the solution since they can strip diapers and leave no residue. This means an extra rinse is not necessary after each wash to make sure they are rinsing clean. Now your diapers can be done faster and you’ll use less water.

Saving money is something a lot of people like to do and soap nuts has such a wide variety of uses such as laundry, cleaning and body care that one could potentially save money on the many different products they need to buy on a monthly basis.

How To Use Soap Nuts
It’s really simple. You have two choices for laundry… to make a liquid or to put 4-5 soap seeds in a muslin bag and add to the drum of the wash machine.

To make the liquid you simply boil water and add soapnuts. How much you use depends on the concentration and amount of soap nut liquid you will use. You don’t want to make too much since it will spoil. We do a lot of laundry so this is what I do:

Boil 12 cups of water and add 3.5 ounces (100 grams) of soap nuts. Boil gently for 30 minutes.

This liquid can also be used for cleaning countertops and more. Add some essential oils to give it a nice scent.

Get more personal use and cleaning recipes using soap nuts .

On the other hand, if you are fortunate to have a locally owned store that is buying U.S. made products and has eco-conscious buyers then you can be a cleaner shade of green.

We happen to live in an area that hasn’t always been too savvy about the environment until recently when two friends opened Fresh & Green in Bakersfield, Ca. Sometimes all it takes is a single movement by a couple of people, like what Jennifer and Sasha at Fresh & Green are doing, to educate the many. (Don’t forget that Google started with only two guys and now the world searches them over.)

Some may find it hard to believe that everyone doesn’t want to or wouldn’t like to shop online but the fact is that a lot of people just don’t. A local store that offers sustainable products makes it easier for local residents to buy products that are healthier and safer for them and the environment. Stores that offer green products can also become a local resource for consumers to learn about the effects that we have on the environment and how we can make productive changes in our lifestyle.

If you have a local store that offers sustainable and organic products shop with them before you shop online, even if you are spending a tad bit more money. It’s worth keeping the convenience of a quick trip to your local green outlet. Chances are you will get better customer service since the people can put a face with your name. If you aren’t sure if there is a local store that supplies sustainable and organic products, keep checking online. I ended up finding Fresh & Green in Bakersfield by a fluke click on a cloth diaper site. In these days of increased environmental concern and green washing, you just never know when a green store might pop up.

Interested in shopping local in more ways than just this one? Learn where to buy local produce.

Our Top 10

10. Reusable Cloth
The easiest step in converting to cloth would be to start using cloth dish towels and cloth napkins to reduce the use of papertowels and napkins. Next, toss the disposable cleaning wipes for reusable, cloth rags. We have an assortment of rags that come from old thermals, t-shirts and cloth diapers.

Already got that down? Now let’s get some reusable cloth grocery bags and/or produce bags. Personally, I don’t use cloth grocery bags because it’s not my time right now…but I do use cloth produce bags and I love them. Most fruit and veggies don’t even need a plastic baggie at the grocery store…even if you don’t have cloth, just put the bigger items like bananas, onions, avocados, etc. straight into the cart. They’ll get bagged at checkout.

Got a baby at home? Try using reusable cloth diapers…they are huge money savers, way better than what grandma ever used and definitely one of our essentials for going green. If you use cloth diapers then it’s easy to add cloth diaper wipes into the mix too. Get super eco-friendly and start using ‘family’ wipes (basically the same as cloth diaper wipes) for things like blowing your nose or even going, uh, you know, poop…..

9. Vinegar, Baking Soda & other green cleaners
Vinegar and baking soda are probably the two most popular eco-friendly cleaning products in a natural family home. They both have amazing properties to disinfect, gently scour, and whiten. Some vinegars are petroleum based and that’s not green so make sure your vinegar is plant derived. If it doesn’t say ‘plant derived’ then it is petroleum based. Soaps like Dr. Bronners can also be used for general cleaning.

I really like a ‘clean, green’ smell so I use baking soda for whitening porcelain sinks and vinegar for killing weeds. You’ll find green cleaning products under my sink…I like Seventh Generation, Lifetree and for some products, method cleaners are great.

8. Clothes Line
Hanging your clothes out to dry on a clothes line is not only going to save you a small bundle, it will really help preserve natural resources and you’ll still be able to get laundry dry during rolling blackouts.

7. Shop Local for Products
The easiest thing to buy locally is usually produce. Some places also have crafty people who make and sell neat, useable items but almost everywhere has a farm that provides locally grown, fresh produce.

6. Bicycle & Trailer
Burn rubber on the pavement with a stylin’ ride and bring the little ones along too in a bike trailer. Burley makes an assortment of trailers to pull infants and toddlers safely or step up to a trailercycle for older kids not ready to ride on their own.

Can’t think of any constructive riding? Why not bike to the local grocery store to pick up a few items. Plan ahead for just a little extra time and bring your trailer with you…it will fit a few grocery bags, just make sure they’re reusable. Bike to the park whenever you want to go and if work is close enough, bike there too and your comrades will applaud your green efforts.

5. Organic Personal Care Products
Make over as much of your bathroom as you can. Organic personal care products are definitely pricier than your average beauty product with the exception of some face care products. Convert the little ones bath products first since they are more sensitive to harsh ingredients.

Don’t leave out the first aid kit during your makeover. Herbal and homeopathic remedies work for cuts and bruises too. Go a step further and toss out the old bandages for some eco-friendy band-aids from Eco-guard.

4. Reusable Water Bottles
Bottled water sales were over $100 million dollars in 2004 and the amount of consumption has only grown over the years. Reusable bottles aren’t just for the granola lovers anymore. Getting your own reusable Sigg or Nalgene bottle will make a difference and make a statement about your concern for the environment.

3. Buy Chacos
Okay, if you don’t like Chacos that’s okay…we’ll still love you. But, we love the shoes and the company. Chacos not only makes some of the best sandals in the world but they also make them right here in the good ‘ol USA.

But it goes farther than that…Chaco restraps or resoles their sandals for a small fee. So for as long as your footbed stays in good condition (I can’t imagine much other happening to them unless a dog got a hold of one) you can send them in to Chaco and basically get a brand new shoe while saving a lot of resources.

Alright, so you don’t want Chacos (we are not associated with them by the way). Just choose to buy a good pair of shoes the first time around and take them to the cobbler for repair. Just about every good city still has shoe repair available.

2. Reuse Shipping Supplies & Boxes
Our town doesn’t offer a whole lot of options on the eco-products we like to buy so we do quite a bit of online shopping which leaves us with boxes and packaging. We also save smaller product boxes that aren’t necessarily for shipping. Boxes are bulky so we just break them down and keep all the packaging in a bag next to the boxes. Whenever we need to send something or give a gift, we just pick out the right size and re-tape it. Saving money and resources. It’s simple.

1. Reduce Paper Waste
Junk mail isn’t the only source of paper waste in your house but it’s a good place to start. There are places to go online to remove yourself from junk mail lists…spending time now to remove your name will save you time when you might need it most. Many companies also offer online bill pay and give the option to decline a paper bill in the mail. Sign up for these through the companies website or at your bank and your mailperson will thank you.

Now, let’s go a bit further. You are already committed to taking in your own reusable shopping bags to the grocery store so why stop there. Upgrade to reusable produce bags. They come in cloth or mesh. Now your cute little reusable grocery bags won’t have to touch any dirty plastic.

I recently purchased cloth produce bags from a seller on Etsy.com. I love the thin cotton and it keeps the veggies so nice. I get a lot of produce from local farms and co-ops so cotton works well for me. Others who do more produce shopping at the grocery store may opt for mesh bags to move through the checkout line faster (the clerks can see the produce numbers easier).

Reusable cloth produce bags and grocery bags are also available at Eco Bags.