Going as far as appointing executives to oversee environmental protection strategies, car manufacturers understand the importance of boarding the efficient and environmental bandwagon. In fact, some manufacturers are not only transforming their vehicles, they’re changing the way they make them by using recyclable, sustainable materials, decreasing landfill waste and reducing water consumption.

While Mother Earth benefits from automakers’ newfound environmentalism, so does the consumer – and not just by breathing cleaner air. With gas prices reaching almost 5$ a gallon in some parts of the U.S., the savings at the pump can equalize, if not outweigh, the upfront cost of a low-emissions or hybrid vehicle.

For example, assuming 15,000 miles of annual driving and a fuel cost of $4.51, a car with 40 Highway Miles Per Gallon (HMPH) will save you $8,437 more than a car with 20 HMPG over 5 years.

($1,700/year to operate 40 HMPG and $3,375/year for 20 MPG)

Here’s a comparison of the top 5 car companies rolling out low-cost, greener cars and manufacturing processes:

1. Toyota: Reduced CO2 emissions by 42%, landfill waste to less than 1% of the FY1995 level, and water consumption by 7.1% by 2009.

Green Cars: Prius and 11 other hybrids
Car Cost: $24,000-30,000
HMPG: 51

2. BMW: Reduced CO2 emissions by 27% and water consumption by ~300,000 cubic meters in 2008. They’re also rolling out electric vehicles in connection with “project i” in the next 5 years.

Green Cars: BMW 328i, 128i
Car Cost: $34,000-56,000
HMPG: 28

3. Hyundai: Launched LPi hybrid and gasoline hybrid vehicles in 2010.

Green Cars: Elantra
Car Cost: $15,000-20,000
HMPG: 40

4. Honda: Reduced automobile CO2 emissions by 12.6% between 2000-2010.

Green Cars: Insight, Honda Civic Hybrid
Car Cost: $24,000
HMPG: 43

5. Volkswagen: Built numerous alternative energy plants around the globe and analyzed every vehicle model in terms of its CO2 emissions, recyclable materials, logistic processes and output of greenhouse gas.

Green Cars: Volkswagen Jetta TDI, awarded ‘Green Car of the Year’
Car Cost: $17,000-20,000
HMPG: 42

This is a guest post from Jeff at FindTheBest.

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In order to help consumers solve this problem, FindTheBest has designed a new platform which allows users to find and compare the most fuel efficient vehicles based on vehicle class, engine size, miles per gallon (MPG), fuel type, green vehicle rating, and more. With nearly 2,500 different cars to compare, you’re bound to find a green automobile that meets your specific needs and desires, without the hassle of traveling from dealership to dealership trying to locate a particular car.

Looking for a small car with a combined MPG greater than 80 and powered by an electric battery?  Need a specific make or model that can fit an entire family?  Simply set the filters accordingly and let the tool display all the options available.

The days of polluting the environment by driving huge trucks and SUV’s are hopefully fading, and tools like this help to both educate and perpetuate the green lifestyle.  With so many incentives at both the state and federal level, the idea of owning an eco-friendly automobile is becoming more and more a reality.  Insurance companies are now offering affordable plans that incorporate a discount on the premium you pay due to the fact that purchasing an environmentally-friendly car conveys a dependable image in the eyes of insurance companies; therefore, reducing the probability of settling accident claims.

Next time you’re considering purchasing a new car, be sure to take the time to research automobiles that not only add value to your personal life, but also add value to the world around us.

Michael Bracy is a Business Development Associate for FindTheBest, a comparative search engine that compares a variety of green products from Energy Star refrigerators to photovoltaic solar panels.

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There are numerous examples around the world which show the dilemma between economic growth and a need to conserve our ecosystem. One particular example is the drilling project proposed by a German company RWG in the North Sea. The Wattenmeer is an area of great biological diversity, a regional stop over for millions of migratory birds and a potential spot for being a UNESCO world heritage site. Environmentalists have conducted huge protests over this project which could destroy a biological treasure. There have been similar protests against the Nord Stream pipeline project being proposed to be constructed between Russia and Western Europe, which could affect the ecology of the Baltic Sea. The governments and economists have argued that the oil is a vital part of the economy in the world today, and it cannot be compromised. So where do we draw the line between economy and ecology, which unfortunately tend to be on opposite sides.

There’s an overwhelming belief that the two cannot be tackled together and that there’s a need to give a sort of priority to ecological matters. However, experts feel that such thinking is a big mistake. The economy and environment are related to each other. In fact economy can be assumed to be a subsidiary of environment as environment has all the resources upon which the economy depends. Thus the two are inseparable.

Economic development without conserving the ecology can have serious implications. There’s a possibility of conflict for natural resources. Water conflict is one such example where the construction of dams has created serious argument between the upstream and downstream countries. Clean and safe drinking water is a big concern in the developing countries. Rapid industrialization and urbanization with inadequate drainage and sewerage can affect the availability of drinking water in rivers and groundwater. The people affected are often the poor and the marginalized sections of the society. Thus, treating earth as a huge storehouse with unlimited potential for human consumption can have serious consequences for us.

The governments and private companies require incentives to act on issues relating to environmental concerns. The more immediate issues regarding profit for private companies and economic and political issues for the government tend to dominate the agenda. Thus an effective action in the direction of ecological conservation is less likely to be taken by them. There lies the role of small scale actions and generations of awareness in the community.

The concept of carbon credits has been introduced in order to tackle the problem of emission of greenhouse gases. In this system each nation is stipulated with a definite amount of gases which it can emit. If it exceeds the limit it has to pay charges for its excessive emissions. The money raised is then used to help the lower emission countries.

Thus we need a mandate to develop a Charter of Rights in relation to the environment in the United Nations. It is in our interest as human beings to preserve the environment not only for economic growth but also for the survival of our future generations.

Amanda Kidd is a blogger whose favorite portals to write on are lifestyle and finance. She recently read an article about the world’s most expensive cars.

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3. Thinking Green When Sending Gifts

***

Everybody loves to get stuff, and giving gifts can be even more fun than receiving them. Whether it’s Christmas, birthdays, or care packages, we may find ourselves having to send gifts through the mail rather than hand delivering them. If you’re a green minded person, the gifts you send and the way you send them can reflect that personal philosophy. Here’s how:

The Gift Itself

You don’t have to be a tree-hugger to want to send greener gifts. And the gift doesn’t have to be a bag of trail mix that makes the recipient roll their eyes either. In fact, green gifts can be cool, unique and even extremely useful.

• Have a tree named after someone in the Rainforest – Any anti-deforestation advocate will appreciate having a tree purchased in their name. And even people who aren’t passionate about saving the Rainforest will enjoy the idea that the conifer bearing their name will grow and thrive long after they are gone.

• Send Vegetables– Flowers in a vase are nice, but vegetables that can be planted in a garden are a present that will last much longer. Sending vegetables instead of flowers also encourages local growing and self-sustenance. You won’t need long distance movers for a small plant, but try to avoid sending anything in full bloom.

• A Wind-up Universal Remote – Even with recycling programs in place, millions of batteries still wind up in land fills every year. With this remote, you can cut batteries out of the television control equation altogether. Simply by winding it, you’ll be able to generate all of the power necessary to run it without ever having to resort to batteries.

• A Solar Powered Charger – When a charger is left plugged in, it continues to use electricity even when it’s not charging a device. If you know a forgetful un-plugger, these gadgets will allow them to eliminate charger cords for good. They are also great gifts for frequent campers who often don’t have access to outlets and don’t want to drain car batteries.

• Organic Cotton – The cotton growth and production process is astoundingly chemically intensive and dependent on pesticides. That’s why buying organic cotton is a great way to help reduce the demand on such an environmentally destructive industry. Many people say that organic cotton is softer and more comfortable which may be a result of the lack of chemicals used in manufacturing. That makes organic cotton garments, towels, napkins or sheets awesome gifts for anyone on any occasion.

• Green cosmetics – Most women use some form of cosmetics in their day to day lives, whether it’s full on face paint or just Chap Stick. The problem with common cosmetics is the myriad of sketchy chemicals used to make them. But the gift of greener make-up is something that most females will appreciate. Mineral foundation, natural lip balms, or other organic and petroleum free products are all great gifts that are good for the planet.

• Water Efficiency Products – We waste a lot of water in this country without even thinking about it. From showers and toilet flushing to watering our gardens, we tend to be sadly cavalier with H20. Fortunately, there are bathroom based gifts like the Perfect Flush that can minimize the use of excess toilet water. There are also many styles of low-flow shower heads to optimize shower water usage. For an outdoorsy person, you can send a rain barrel to collect rain water. The accumulated water can then be used in place of sprinklers in a garden. These kinds of equipment upgrades aren’t always high on everyone’s to-do list, so they make the perfect green gift idea.

Packing and Shipping

Don’t stop at going green with just the theme of the gift; the way you send it matters too. When you’re packing a gift, think about alternatives to typical packing materials. If you can, always avoid any form of Styrofoam packing peanuts and even bubble wrap. Re-use old newspapers or think about including a form of textile in the gift like a towel or t-shirt that you can use to protect more breakable items.  If you’re wrapping the present in gift paper or sending a greeting card, look for recycled or tree-free versions of theses items. Wrapping paper made of flax or hemp is just as attractive and much more eco-friendly.

When you’re shipping the gift, the mode you choose can be another statement of a social conscience. Whether you’re using FedEx, UPS or USPS, there are ways to make your shipment more carbon neutral. Using route optimization technologies, these institutions are trying to reduce their carbon footprint. By making fewer stops, using the most efficient routes and eliminating empty cargo containers, these shipping companies are all doing their part to help make the delivery industry kinder to the environment. If you want to go the extra mile, and spend a few extra dollars, you have the option of purchasing GreenShipping carbon offsets to truly eliminate the carbon footprint of your shipment.

If you are a green-minded individual, there are ways to evangelize without being preachy and annoying. The gifts you send others can be representatives of the many awesome green products on the market. Some of them are just cool, while others can really improve people’s lives. And when you choose a greener way to send your gift the message is two-fold. This subtle strategy is a smart way to help spread the green message while bringing a smile to the face of someone you love.

Jade writes for uShip, a site helping people find long distance movers and other shipping help. Jade has been working in print and online marketing for many years and has become very active in blogging.

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***

Sometimes the recommendations for living a greener lifestyle cost quite a bit of money to implement.  Sure, you can power your home with windmills and a solar panel roof – but the cost of implementing such a lifestyle change puts it out of reach for the typical household.  There are many ways living green can save money, though, and add more of it to your budget.

To see exactly how much the following green-living tips can save you, enter your numbers in a budget calculator – then use your savings to reduce your debt or take a vacation!

Make Your Own Meals:  Save Thousands Annually (Potentially)

The United States Consumer Expenditure reports show that an average family spends about $4,000 a year on restaurants and take out meals.  Not only can you reduce your food budget by thousands by preparing your meals at home, but you’ll start paying more attention to the quality of ingredients you buy, and perhaps plant a fruit or vegetable garden to further your savings and health.  Preparing your own meals is healthier than eating in restaurants, and will cost significantly less.

Try Carpooling: Save $650 to $1400 Annually

Cars aren’t that great for the environment, and with the high costs of filling up, they’re also not so great on our budgets!  If you’re commuting 30 miles a day, and your car averages 23 miles per gallon – you’re looking at about 6.5 gallons of gas a week.  At $3.95 a gallon, you’re spending $25.76 a week to get yourself to and from work.  If you look at the cost of commuting 52 weeks a year, you’re in the $1,300 range for gasoline—and this doesn’t count any other driving you may do, or any other car ownership expenses.

You can reduce the effects of driving on the environment and save money by carpooling.  Share a car and a gas bill for commuting with a friend and you’ll save about $650 a year.  Find a couple more friends, and increase the savings in each of your budgets and reduce the number of cars on the roads day after day.

Recycle Your Electronics: Save a Few Hundred Dollars

What do you do with cell phones and charges you aren’t using anymore? How about laptops and other gadgets once they’ve worn out?  If you’re like most people, you toss them in a drawer out of sight or toss them in the trash.  Instead, recycle your old electronics and get cash.  Try Gazelle.com, or YouRenew.com for details about trading in phones and electronics and how much they’ll earn you.  Throwing electronics in the trash is potentially toxic and not a good move for the environment – so look at methods for recycling them before tossing.

Stop Buying Bottled Water: Save Over $240 Annually

Instead of buying bottled water at $4 or more a case, purchase a water filter that lets you purify tap water.  Not only will you reduce the amount of plastic containers you waste each week, but the savings can really add up.  If you tend to spend $5 a week or more on bottled water, you’re looking at over $260 annually.  Purchase a $20 water filter for your faucet, and keep refilling your glass.  The filters are much less expensive to replace than what you spend on bottled water; and you won’t have all of those plastic bottles to fill up the landfills.

Hang Your Clothes to Dry: Save $85+ Annually

The clothes dryer is one of the biggest consumers of home electricity, to the tune of about $85 a year, according to the California Energy Commission.  Simply hanging your clothes on a dryer rack or outside on a line can save electricity—good for both the environment and your budget.  Further savings are found by air drying clothes because it helps your clothing last longer.  When clothes are tossed in the dryer after each wash, they tend to wear out much quicker than when they’re air dried.  With the average family spending $900 on clothing annually, you could potentially save another few hundred dollars a year by air drying clothes instead of tossing them in the dryer.

Debbie Dragon is a finance writer providing articles for Vertex42.com, which offers a large selection of free spreadsheet templates and financial calculators.

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There have been countless bacterial outbreaks in large food processing plants, essentially since the advent of large food processing plants. Tainted meat, dairy, and vegetables have led to large numbers of people contracting E.coli, hepatitis A, salmonella, and other diseases.

In the last several months, there have been quite a few of note: The US Food and Drug Administration has announced that Cal-Maine Foods Inc. released 288,000 eggs subject to recall after one of their suppliers, Ohio Fresh Eggs, LLC, tested positive for Salmonella Enteritidis, then saw distribution to eight states. While there are no consumer deaths confirmed yet, many in other environments aren’t as lucky.

Four people died across ten cases as a consequence of listeria and listeriosis infection after eating celery from a processing plant called SanGar Fresh Cut Produce based out of San Antonio, Texas, leading to an FDA investigation and concerns over cross contamination with other chopped vegetable products made at the plant (where inspectors also discovered issues with condensation, dirt, and hand-washing, among other problems).

Another listeria infection happened as a consequence of contamination at a smoked salmon plant in Fairbanks, Alaska, prompting a recall despite there being no confirmed deaths yet. In Canada, pet food sold in British Columbia and made by Surrey Meat Packers was tied to E. coli contamination.

All of this, then, points to the fact that food processing facilities regularly suffer from contamination issues simply as a consequence of the large volume of their operation. Furthermore, food processing also ensures that food takes longer to reach you, making it less fresh unless loaded down with preservatives and other chemicals intended to make sure it reaches its destination in an edible state.

No matter how you look at it, it’s hard to say good things beyond the inherent cost efficiency about the mass processing industry first demonized in Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle and now read about almost monthly in our newspapers, where we hear about recalls with alarming frequency.

While it’s bad for them, it’s a good reason to support smaller local organizations producing lower quantities of better food, especially when dealing with meat and dairy, where the risk of bacterial contamination is highest. Local purveyors often provide superior-tasting products made from animals not pumped full of hormones to ensure rapid growth or additional milk production. They also make dairy products with distinct flavor profiles and in significantly smaller batches, meaning that the reduced sample size helps to bring down the risk of introducing bacteria that ruins the entire group.

By choosing to support local food producers, you virtually guarantee yourself a more flavorful alternative to a bagged, several-week-old packaged products made with thousands of others exactly like it from all over the country, smashed into a homogeneous, flavorless, potentially toxic mass. You also support people who are working to change this system. Better yet, you can even begin to grow your own produce or keep your own animals where possible, allowing you to see exactly what came from where and just how safe it is.

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Do you often have expensive dinners with your friends? Do you have a fetish for costly and branded outfits? Do you never keep track of the money you spend? If the answers to all the above questions are yes then you have reasons to worry because you might not be living a financially sustainable lifestyle, and you might not be able to maintain your luxurious lifestyle after your professional career.

This carefree lifestyle will eventually increase the number of financially struggling retired people in the U.S., so it’s highly important for you to live a balanced life and manage your money in a prudent way so that you never need to look for debt relief services. Here are a few things you should consider if you are contemplating a decent and sustainable lifestyle:

Analyze your expectations and make plans accordingly

Most people aim for a lifestyle that is beyond their means. If you want to buy a house that resembles an exotic palace with a modest salary, then you are either too eager for a heartbreak or you are planning to drown in debt. That, however, does not mean you need to live a life without aspirations. In fact reasonable aspirations can lead you to your realm of dreams. If you are aiming for something a bit more than you can afford, then make sacrifices and manage your finances accordingly.

Stop buying junk

Almost all of us buy things which we don’t need. Maybe we are too vulnerable to the seductive advertisements which tempt us 24 hours a day. A perfect example of irrational buying habits is at the local garage sale. You’ll be surprised to find stuff here which the owners thought important at one point of time but now consider trash. Consequently, they sell items for damn cheap in these sales. The lesson is that you should think, think, and think again before buying something.

Happiness comes from within, don’t seek it without

Why do we keep on buying unnecessary stuff? Is it because they enrich our life in some way or the other? Not really. Actually, buying new things satisfies our materialistic ego. It artificially gives a boost to our self esteem. Buying new stuff keeps us temporarily happy but we soon get bored with it and realize that we have just wasted our money. However, most of us do not learn from our experience and indulge in this kind of poor spending again.

Your consumerist mindset will urge you to think that buying new products will make you happy. In fact, the advertisements bank on the consumer’s sense of dissatisfaction towards life and offer a solution. Don’t fall for it because no product, however charming it might be, can create happiness. You need to understand that if you are aiming for a sustainable lifestyle then you do need to say goodbye to this kind of habit. So stop purchasing products to be happy for a fleeting moment. Save that money for your future.

A few instances of sustainable lifestyle

• Life without a car may seem to be an absurd idea, but understand that using public transport, however unattractive it might appear, can save you a lot of money and pay off in the long run.

• While you don’t need to starve, avoid eating out frequently. Homemade meals can save your neck in a big way. If you’re single, consider living with your parents or sharing apartments with your friends. This will cut down the money you need to spend on your housing.

• The cost of higher education is soaring, so work part time to fund your studies and avoid student loans which can affect your finances significantly.

• Drugs and alcohols can ruin you in terms of health as well as money. It’s just too easy to develop a total dependence on narcotics and liquor.

• It is understandable that you want to be fashionable. However, if you develop a habit of buying branded and expensive clothes regularly, then you are asking for monetary trouble.

There are certain paths which you need to take and there are some tricky roads which you must avoid. At the end of the day, life is what you want to make it through your choices. So be cautious, be wise, be smart, and try to embrace a lifestyle which you can maintain throughout your life. Remember that we all want to live king-size, but most of us just manage to sink ourselves in a sea of debt before turning our dream into reality.

This is a guest post by Jack Reed. He is a financial writer with Oak View Law Group and writes on a variety of financial topics with a special focus on debt consolidation and bankruptcy issues.

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This is a guest post by Timothy Ng.

Saving money is a big deal, but saving the earth is an even bigger deal. That said, imagine how big a deal it would be if you could do both at the same time. It’s completely possible. If you were to look at your household budget, you’d probably see plenty of places where you could cut back on spending. But, if you looked at it with a ‘green eye,’ you could not only cut back a bit, but live better and help out mother earth in the process.

Energy Efficient Savings Tips

1. Unplug Electrics

It’s not always enough just to turn off electrical devices in your home, although that’s a great first step. Go around your house and unplug everything that’s reasonable: second television sets, lamps, alarm clocks in spare bedrooms, etc. Everything that’s not essential, like the refrigerator, should be unplugged. Then, only plug those items back in while you are actually using them. You’ll realize two things; the first is there are loads of electrics that never get turned on and second that your utility bill is lower. Even though it doesn’t seem like a lot, all of those appliances still draw electricity when they’re off. Unplug and save money. It’s that simple.

2. Make Cleaning Supplies

Most cleaning supplies we buy at the market are filled with caustic chemicals or bleach. Even though they might work to get our homes clean, they can also do damage to our bodies as we breathe those fumes or to our stuff as the chemicals slowly eat away at finishes. You can make your own cleaning supplies with a variety of recipes easily found on line –things like club soda and vinegar are excellent cleaning agents without all of the harsh chemicals. You can even find recipes that add essential oils to give your home a pleasant and clean scent.

3. Go To The Farmer’s Market

This one might not seem like a big money saver as there are a lot of people who thin farmer’s markets are more expensive. This is somewhat true; the prices can be a little higher on some items. However, not everything is more expensive and the added cost is often negligible. More importantly, if you’re buying local you will save money on petrol and you’ll be eating better, more healthy foods. That means you’ll feel better, have less risk of illness, and make your corner of the world a bit greener all at the same time.

4. Skip The Restaurants

Going out to dinner is nice. We all like being waited on and not having to clean up dishes. The downside is the cost. Even cheap meals eaten out can cost double that of a homemade meal. Add to that the fact that, if you eat at home, you’ll eat healthier food and less of it. Now it’s easy to see why cutting down on the restaurant fare is a big savings. If you feel lost in the kitchen, then ask for some advice or take a cooking class. Before you know it, you’ll be making gourmet meals your whole family will enjoy.

5. Stop Drinking Bottled Water

Just stop. Bottled water really is a scam. There have been loads of tests that have proven that water from the tap is no worse for you then the water from a bottle, and in some cases, even has less bacteria and chemicals. Those plastic bottles release terrible pollutants into our air when they’re made and then clog up landfills for hundreds of years when we’re finished with them. Make yourself a promise right now never to buy bottled water again. Instead, purchase a few high quality reusable water bottles and use them when you’re on the go, or just drink your water the old fashioned way – out of a cup.

6. Find A Carpool

Petrol is expensive. The fumes your vehicle releases into the atmosphere do immeasurable damage to it. So, why not cut out as much driving as you possibly can? Arrange carpools for as many activities as possible. You could have one for work, one for the kids school, one for all of those after school activities, and even one for the weekly grocery or farmer’s market run. It’ll save time and money. You’ll probably have so many people who want to participate that you’ll need two cars.

7. Make The Light Bulb Switch

If you’re still using incandescent light bulbs, it’s time to get rid of them. Compact fluorescent bulbs are more energy efficient and safer to use because they don’t get hot. Forget about that minuscule amount of mercury that’s in them and how it will be disposed. Right now, they’re your best bet to save money and energy. Also, check with the store that you purchase them from about recycling and disposal programs which will ease your mind about the dreaded mercury.

8. Stop Buying New Books

That doesn’t mean stop reading books. You should definitely continue reading, but cut back on buying new books. We need trees more then we need books. Instead of buying them new, check them out from the library or buy them used. If you have the money, invest in an electronic book device like an iPad or a Kindle so that you can simply download books.

It’s easy to make saving money and saving the earth a joint mission. Once you get started you’ll surely come up with lots more ways you can make budget cut while greening up your home. A greener home and more money in the bank is a winning plan for everyone.

Timothy Ng is an experienced personal finance writer, specialising in credit card comparison. Check out his guide to the best credit cards where he’ll step you through the process of finding the best credit card.

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Making green choices in the grocery store is a great way to help protect out planet. Here are a few things you can do to make grocery shopping more eco-friendly.

Make a List

Before you go grocery shopping, take time to plan your meals. By planning ahead, you can make a shopping list. The list will help you buy only the items you need. Buying more than you need often leads to more wasted foods and packaging. Making a list will also help you remember all of the items you need to buy, preventing you from making multiple trips to the store. You’ll save time and reduce the amount of fuel used. This small action is very green indeed!

Buy Fresh Produce

Buying fresh fruits and vegetables reduces wasteful packaging. Bring your own plastic bags from home to bag your produce before using the bags on hand at the store. Try to buy locally produced fruits and veggies. A large amount of fuel is used to transport produce to all of our grocery stores. Buying locally produced foods supports your local farmers as well as decreases fuel costs.

Look for Foods with Less Packaging

While shopping, look for foods that have very little or no packaging. The less packaging, the greener the choice! Also, buy foods that are packaged in bulk instead of foods that are individually packaged. For example, buy one large container of yogurt instead of 6 individual single-serving cartons. This helps eliminate excess waste in our landfills.

Recyclable Packaging

When making your selections at the store, look for foods sold in recyclable packaging or containers. Try to buy foods packaged in cardboard versus foods packaged in foam, egg cartons for example.

The Health and Beauty Aisle

When shopping in the health and beauty aisle, there are a couple of things you should look for. When selecting a deodorant, buy a stick or roll-on deodorant. Spray deodorants are harmful to the ozone layer of our atmosphere. The same goes for hairsprays. Buy spritz hairsprays instead of aerosol sprays; they’re much better for our environment.

The Cleaning Aisle

Green cleaning products are much easier to find these days. If you are unable to find one that you like, look for products that are bleach and phosphate-free. Bleach and phosphates are known to be hazardous to our ground water. You should also consider making your own planet-friendly cleaning products. You can find the ingredients right in the super-market. Baking soda, lemons, lemon juice, and white vinegar are essential if you decide to make your own cleaning products.

Bring Your Own Bags

Remember to bring your own bags when you go grocery shopping. You can buy nice cloth or canvas bags that are very durable, or you can bring back the bags you accumulated from previous shopping trips. If you have a choice, choose paper over plastic. Paper bags are much easier to recycle.

As you can see, there are many things you can do to make your shopping experience more eco-friendly. A few simple changes can make a big difference! In the long run, your actions may help preserve our precious resources for future generations.

This was a guest post from Bailey Harris. Bailey writes for the Health Insurance Blog.

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That said, 2010 is quickly approaching and I’ve got a lot to do.

I gave a glimpse into my annual review earlier and today begins a week long process of intense planning for the upcoming year.

This is the first time I’ve ever formally done this and it’s brought me to the question, “What can I really accomplish in a year?” You’ve probably questioned what you’re capable of before, too.

Interestingly, it’s pretty common for people to overestimate what they can get done in a day and completely underestimate what they can achieve in a year.

This is clearly evidenced by my enormous daily to-do list and often non-existent long term plan.  A year can be so hard to plan for – too short for your biggest life affirming goals and certainly too long for a goal like “remembering to program the thermostat.”

It can be really hard to figure out what you can get done in 365 days. Yet, to see what is possible to accomplish next year, all you really need to do is look at what you completed last year.

How has your life changed in the last year?

When I take the time to actually look at what I’ve done in 2009, it’s easy to see that my life has changed quite a lot. I’ve done all kinds of things like:

• Make my first green investment
• Increased my truck’s fuel efficiency by 7 miles per gallon
• Quit using my dryer
• Drastically improved my water heater efficiency
• Become a part time vegetarian
• Started composting
• Read countless green books
• Learned all kinds of lessons about living sustainably
• Made new friends to support me in my pursuit
• Helped almost 100 other people improve their lives

If you sat down for a few minutes and really thought about what you’ve accomplished this year, I bet you could come up with a pretty amazing list yourself.

Go ahead and do it and then give yourself a little pat on the back. It’s ok to congratulate yourself. You’ve earned it.

Planning for next year

If you’re like me, you’ve probably never put much thought into planning out an entire year because, well, it’s so dang long and hard to think about.

But, now that you’ve seen what you can do without much thinking, why not take a moment to nail down what you could accomplish if you did put together a plan of action?

If you want to, think bigger and make a plan for how you’ll outdo yourself next year. Or don’t! Just use your planning to focus your goals more specifically on a topic that’s important to you.

Maybe you were too specific this year? Use your plan to allow yourself to branch out and try some new things you’d thought about but never got around to doing.

The sky is the limit here. Your only ceiling is your own imagination.

What if you hate your plan?

Maybe you’re reluctant to start because planning out a whole year feels restrictive. That’s another thing that kept me from doing this for so long. What if you set it all up and then decide you don’t like it?

Well, that’s the beauty of a plan. You can always have a back-up. It’s not a contract. There’re no other parties involved and no lawyers are going to serve you a subpoena if you have second thoughts about your direction.

If you decide you don’t like your plan, change it. Just by getting started, though, you get yourself thinking about what’s important to you.

If, later, you find out that what you thought was important really isn’t, you’ll probably have a better idea by then of what is. Feel free to let go of things that don’t feel right.

If you want to start composting and then realize you hate it, stop doing it. If you decide to walk more, but then realize you’d rather be riding your bike, do that instead.

The whole point is to allow yourself to think big and try new things.

Final thoughts on yearly planning

Many of us plan out each of our days to squeeze as much productivity out of them as possible, but never take the time to look at how each day contributes to a longer, overall goal.

For some, these long-term goals are strongly internal, and that’s fine, but I’ve noticed that I get a lot farther when I put my goals down on paper than when I hold them in. It’s entirely psychological, but it adds concreteness to my resolutions. “I AM going to do this. See, the paper says so!”

What does your list of accomplishments look like for this year? Feel free to use the comments section to show off the things you’ve done. What’s been on your mind that you want to be sure you get done next year?

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Connect with me on Twitter: @tylertervooren

Happy New Year image by Sally M*

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