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Make The Green Scene: Tips On Saving Money, Planet

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KIM FRANKE-FOLSTAD

The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 11, 2009

Who says it isn't easy being green? A frog, that's who, er … what.

We disagree.

We found five easy ways you can tweak your eco-skills to become a green machine now — that's right, today! — and save some green while you're at it.

Kim Franke-Folstad

1. Eat Green: So what if you're not a vegetarian? Try going meatless one day a week. You can save money; you can use your own fresh-from-the garden ingredients or get them at a local farmers market; and if you're filling up on fruits and veggies, you just might become a lean machine as well.

2. Grow Green: Fill large planters with recycled packing peanuts, aluminum cans or crushed plastic soda bottles. You won't need as much potting soil, and the containers will be easier to move. (Psst … when you're done with this section of the paper, use it to line your containers; it will help keep moisture in.)

3. Teach Green: Set a good example for your kids by picking up litter whenever and wherever you see it. Get your family involved in a local beach cleanup or help organize a day when neighborhood kids pick up the trash on your block. (You supply the latex gloves, garbage bags and supervision.)

4. Wear Green: It's a great time to buy your clothes at a consignment shop; shopaholics are bringing in their gently used items so they can get money to buy more stuff, and thrift stores are ratcheting up the picky factor. You'll save green and your friends will be green when you keep showing up in something "new."

5. Celebrate Green: Make your St. Patrick's Day party green in more ways than one! Send out (free!) e-vites instead of paper invitations. (Snail mail wouldn't make it by Tuesday anyway!) Be sure to set up bins to make it easy for your guests to recycle. For a children's party, make bagpipes out of recycled paper bags and cardboard paper towel tubes. (Get instructions at www.crayola.com/crafts/detail/bonnie-bagpipes-craf....)

Sources: WorldWatch Institute, www.worldwatch.org; Birds & Blooms Thrifty Gardener magazine; "365 Ways to Live Green for Kids" (AdamsMedia, $7.95); www.ehow.com

Sources: WorldWatch Institute, www.worldwatch.org; Birds & Blooms Thrifty Gardener magazine; "365 Ways to Live Green for Kids" (AdamsMedia, $7.95); www.ehow.com

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