Putting the eco in economical

If you’re a stock-watcher,  you likely have vertigo from all the ups and downs of the past year. And with the holidays looming, you might be wondering just where you’re going to get the “green” to purchase presents. However,  it’s a common misconception that eco-living is the hallmark of organic food lovers and hybrid-drivers. While organics and hybrids are inevitably better choices than their conventional counterparts, there are plenty of other options that will not only boost the health of your bank account, but the planet too.
Use energy sparingly: We tend to be disconnected (no pun intended) from our power sources. If we want a light, we flip a switch. If we want heat, we turn a dial or push a button. Yet power at our fingertips comes at a price – not only on our bills but in the noxious emissions from coal-fired power plants. Switching our energy abuse to energy conservation is one big – and simple — step we can take. For starters, seek out the energy vampires in your home. (Kids are often happy to do this for you.) Look for all the appliances and electronics that have a sinister red or green light (VCRs, computers, televisions, microwaves…). Those vampires are sucking 75% of their energy use – when they’re not even turned on! A quick way to eliminate that waste is to plug them into power bars, then flip that switch when you’re done using them. This cuts energy completely. And those battery and cell phone chargers? They keep drawing energy even after the item is fully charged so unplug those as soon as possible.
Park the car: Sure a hybrid is generally a better option than it’s conventional counterpart, but not driving at all (at least occasionally) saves the most money – and gas – of all. Consider carpooling with others at work. Take public transit – one or two days a week to start. Consider biking or walking, weather permitting – fattens the wallet, while trimming the tummy!
Reduce, Reuse
Recycle seems to have become the star of the Three Rs, yet it’s the first two that are the true cornerstones of living green. And both will contribute mightily to your bottom line. Reduce your consumption, which often comes down to two simple questions: do I need this item? Do I love this item (or in the case of a gift, will the recipient love it)? If the answer to either is yes, go for it. If not, put it back and reconsider.
And consider reusing what you’ve already got in inventive ways. Make use of old containers (flowerpots, wicker baskets, vases…) or excess fabric or wallpaper as gift-wrapping. And there’s no shame in regifting. If you’ve received something that doesn’t suit you – but you know of someone it does – wrap it up and pass it along.
Make your own…
• meals: An estimated  20 per cent of meals are eaten in the car. Putting aside thoughts of all that garbage generated by drive-thrus, not to mention all that money being tossed away on a meal loaded with sodium and fat, sitting down with your family to a meal put together by you effectively inoculates your kids against many of the problems we worry about. Studies have shown that kids who eat regularly with their parents are less likely to engage in drugs, alcohol, early sex, truancy or thoughts of suicide. And are more likely to succeed in school and extracurriculars.
• cleaning products: Though there are more green cleaners on the shelves every day – with competition driving prices to match conventional cleaning products, your best money-saving bet is to make your own. You likely have the ingredients you need already on your shelves: baking soda, white vinegar, Borax, possibly castile soap. You add the elbow grease. There are many Web sites offering up simple and effective recipes for make-your-own cleaners. Here’s my favorite: www.care2.com/greenliving/make-your-own-non-toxic-cleaning-kit.html
• fun: Skip the multiplex and the mall (and the emissions from driving there) and get outside. Go for a hike, feed the birds, walk the dogs, collect pinecones for a holiday table centre, make a snowman… Or stay indoors and bake holiday cookies (freeze them for next month when you’re crazy busy), play a board game, make a home movie… It’s all free…and easy…and green.

• Leslie Garrett is a mom of three kids aged 5, 7 and 10 and author of The Virtuous Consumer: Your Essential Shopping Guide for a Better, Kinder, Healthier World (and one our kids will thank us for!). Chat online at cityparent.com on Monday, Nov. 10 from 1-3 p.m. on our Parent-to-Parent forum. See her live at the Cottage Life Show, International Centre, Nov. 7 – 9 or visit her at www.virtuousconsumer.com.