This is guest post from Transit Systems, a professional moving company specializing in small moves.

Preparing to move? While changing your address with the post office you might as well end the landslide of junk mail you keep amassing.

Once you’ve visited DMAchoice.org and requested their “do not mail” list and OptOutPreScreen.com to get your name off the “pre-approved” offers list, you may be wondering what to do with the next 2-4 months of junk mail that you’ll continue to receive in the meantime.  Here are a few things you can do to help all that paper receive a second chance:

1) First and foremost, recycle it! An enormous percentage of flyers, menus, mail-offers and circulars end up in the garbage. Make certain that you sort and recycle any and all materials that can be reused. The USPS (United States Postal Service) has expanded their lobby recycling program, so you can even drop off your “mixed paper” in your local post office lobby for recycling.  This can be a convenient place to take this material, particularly if you go to the post office with any regularity.

2) Consider using your junk mail as packing material for your move! Shredded, rolled, or balled up, this paper can act as a significant barrier for your breakable material. You can even enlist your neighbors in the endeavor. A month or two before your big move, ask some of your neighbors to collect their junk mail (you might want to explain what you’re doing to help prevent strange looks). You’ll be amazed at the amount of packing material you can accumulate!

3) Some pet stores, animal shelters or elementary schools will accept your shredded junk mail as bedding for their smaller animals or birds.  If you (or someone you know) don’t have a small pet that would benefit from this, try calling around to see if you can find an eager recipient.

4) Do you compost or know someone that does? A lot of the junk mail you receive can be shredded and then mixed right into your compost pile to decompose and help dry out your compost mix.  The paper helps to absorb excess moisture and adds to the carbon-rich matter any good compost needs.

5) If you’re moving to a new pad with a fireplace or going on a camping trip, try rolling your junk mail into simple baton shapes for kindling.  Believe it or not, many people actually pay for paper logs used to start fires. Suckers!

The bottom line is that it’s unlikely that you’ll eliminate your junk mail entirely, even if you do take steps to get off the mailing lists.  These are a few options for re-purposing the junk you continue to receive and for reducing the byproduct, your carbon footprint!

This is a guest post from Bailey Harris. Bailey, take it away.

If you are looking for new ways to go green in your home without stressing your budget, consider making your own cleaning supplies. The products you make will be cheaper than their store-bought counterparts, and since they are made with natural, time-tested ingredients, they will not be loaded with dangerous chemicals and toxins that release noxious fumes into the air. The following recipes will help you mix up a batch of homemade cleaning products for almost every room in the house.

Multipurpose Cleaner

Combine 2 pints of water, 1/3 cup rubbing alcohol, 1 teaspoon of ammonia, 1 teaspoon of phosphate-free dishwashing liquid, and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice in a spray bottle. Shake the bottle well and use the solution to clean countertops, appliances, tile, painted surfaces, and other areas around your home.

Glass Cleaner

Mix 1 cup of rubbing alcohol with 1 cup of water. Then, stir in 1 tablespoon of vinegar. The result will be a fast drying, streak-free cleaner that can be used to polish glass, chrome, stainless steel, and smooth tiles.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Sprinkle 1 cup of borax in the toilet bowl. Drizzle the borax with 1 cup of vinegar and allow the mixture to sit undisturbed for 2 to 4 hours before scrubbing the toilet with a toilet brush. If you can’t find borax, you can mix a 1/4 cup of baking soda with your one cup of vinegar in a squeeze bottle. Then, use the bottle to squirt the mixture into the toilet bowl.

Oven Cleaner

This recipe requires no mixing and very little effort. Start by placing 1 cup of ammonia in a bowl. Let it sit in a cold oven overnight. In the morning, remove the bowl, and then wipe the interior of the oven with a wet sponge that has been dipped in baking soda.

Microwave Oven Cleaner

To clean the interior of your microwave, mix 1 cup of water with 3 tablespoons of lemon juice in a bowl. Place the bowl in the microwave and heat on high for 3 to 5 minutes. Remove the bowl and wipe the interior of your microwave with a sponge, cloth, or wet paper towel. If you’re feeling really lazy, skip all of the mixing and simply microwave a wet dishcloth for 20 to 30 seconds. Then, use the warm cloth to wipe the interior of the microwave clean.

Stainless Steel Polish

Sinks and other items made from stainless steel can be rubbed clean with a very small amount of baby oil and a clean cloth. If excess oil is left on the surface, you can remove it with another cloth that has been dipped in club soda. Finish by wiping the stainless steel with a third cloth that is dry and soft.

Furniture Polish

Mix  1/3 cup of fresh squeezed lemon juice with 1 cup of olive oil in a bowl or spray bottle. Apply it to unvarnished wood furniture using a soft flannel cloth. Use a separate, clean cloth to wipe the polish away. If you want to polish varnished wood, use a solution made from 1 cup of water that has been mixed with a few drops of lemon oil.

This is a guest post from Bailey Harris. Bailey writes on insurance and home improvement topics for http://www.homeownersinsurance.org.

Solar power, as we know it, has been around for almost a century. Many people believe that it’s still the same basic technology that helped power early spacecraft and the White House in the 1970′s. But advancements over the past 10 years have brought solar to the cutting edge with new investment and an emphasis on research. Here are three solar innovations that are making this type of renewable energy more affordable, easier to obtain, and more efficient for generations to come.

1.  Thin-Film Cells Will Cut Solar Costs in Half

When most people picture solar panels, they think of the large, black cells with aluminum framing that resemble windows. These are crystalline panels and have been used for decades. The problem with them is that they are time and energy consuming to make. Similar to the process for making silicon computer chips, the manufacturing process requires highly trained technicians, clean rooms, and energy-gobbling machinery.

Thin-film solar is a completely different take on solar cells. The cells themselves often come in a roll and the manufacturing process is similar to a printing process, dramatically reducing the cost of solar power. Panels using traditional crystalline technology still cost in the $2/watt range. Thin film cells cost closer to $1/watt and that price is falling quickly.

Thin film cells are being consumed in large quantities by utility scale projects now, making it difficult for consumers to get their hands on them. This is changing daily though as nearly every major solar manufacturer has a thin-film model coming out, which will make it easier for the average homeowner to have this exciting new technology.

2.  Micro-Inverters Are Great for Affordability & Efficiency

Inverters are usually an essential piece of a solar power system. An inverter takes the power that comes from the panels, which is direct current (DC), and changes it into alternating current (AC). AC is what we have in our outlets at home and work and is what most appliances need to operate. The inverters of the past were large, expensive, and generated large amounts of waste heat. The cheapest inverters cost around $3000, which meant that the cheapest solar power systems were in the $10,000 range.

Microinverters have changed everything. Now, for less than $200, you can have an inverter on each solar panel, and have a system that consists of just one panel if you wish. That means the entry point for installing a solar power system is now as low as $1000. Many people start with one or two panels, and add on a panel or two each year (its a great idea to do this on Earth Day and make it a learning activity for the kids).

They also dramatically increase the efficiency and decrease the installation time for solar power kits. In the not so distant future there will be microinverters integrated into the actual construction of the panel, which means, at long last, you may just be able to plug your solar panel right into the wall.

3.  New Racking Options Make For Fast, Cheap Installation

Most people would be surprised to learn that at least 25% of the equipment cost, and 75% of the labor cost of solar kits go into the racking that holds the solar panels. This technology in particular has not changed significantly in 100 years. The process of mounting bolts into the roof surface, rails to the hold the panels, and wiring and grounding systems was time consuming and dangerous.

Now, we are finally seeing some new options in racking for solar. The new equipment eliminates the rails and grounding equipment and can be installed in less than half the time of traditional racking systems.

Solar costs have already come down by as much as 50% in the past 5 years. Over the next decade, prices should come down even more dramatically, thanks to a renewed interest in this promising technology. Before long, solar power should achieve the holy grail: compete with fossil fuel generated power, without government incentives.

This is a guest post by Kriss Bergethon who lives off the grid with his wife and family. For more information visit Solar Panels.