TIP # 1:

Cheap, Easy, & Enviro Friendly Mirror and Glass cleaning

This REALY WORKS!! I use this tip.

There’s no need to spend money on window/glass cleaners that are full of unnecessary & environmentally unfriendly substances.

Plain white vinegar & old newspaper works equally well on windows and mirrors – any glass.
Just dab or pour some plain white vinegar onto a piece of newspaper & clean up mirrors, drinking glasses (make your wine glasses look brand new), etc.

And yes, if you’re a “neat freak,” (unlike me) you can pour your vinegar into a spray bottle, but BE SURE that you label the bottle & BE SURE to recycle the vinegar plastic bottle that you purhcased.

I suggest wearing gloves because the newsprint does not transfer to mirrors and glass, but it transfers quite nicely to human skin.

The smell of vinegar dissapates rapidly. After about 15-20 minutes, I can leave my apartment, come back and not smell any vinegar. If you’re “smell sensitive”– crack a window open for a few minutes.

FYI: Plain white vinegar is super cheap ( I buy the no-name brand) and one newspaper lasts me a whole year. The used paper IS RECYCLABLE paper.

Green House Effects

Green, green, green...blah, blah, blah. Green is becoming ultra chic these days - HOWEVER, there are some major saving benefits for "going green" and conserving energy at home. And in this current economy, I am trying to stash every penny I can and cut my bills too.

I saw a recent article on MSN on cheap tips to green your home and some of these translate to apartment dwellers too - so here are the tips:

1. Replace your fridge. The fridge is the best energy sucking beast in your home because it runs 24/7 (better catch it). The changes in energy efficiency from 2001 to now have improved so chances are if you invest in a new fridge, it will cut your energy usage.

If you're not up to spending $500 to $1,000 for a new fridge (have you priced one lately?), there are other ways to shave off more energy usage.

2. Installing a programmable thermostat and timer on the hot water heater. Wow, I never thought about that. It's the same concept used with the air conditioning. If you set the thermostat for a higher setting in warmer months / cooler setting in colder months when your away and then when you return home, have the thermostat return to normal. So you're not using gas or electricity to heat your water when you don't need it.

The downfall to this is that the thermostats run approximately $150 - but you'll make that back in time with saving on your light and gas bills.

3. Solar Shades. I've seen plenty of houses in my hood with these darker screens on their windows. They do add some curb appeal but the major benefit is that the solar screens keep the house cool in the summer and warm in the winter. If you aren't planning to replace your windows in the near future, solar screens are a cost-effective way to save some more money.

4. Caulk and weather stripping. It's finally turning to Fall in Houston and that means we can actually turn off the AC and open the windows at night. But as the weather dips lower at night, you want to keep the drafts out and the heat in. Caulk your windows and any cracks up the staircases and change the weather stripping around windows and doors. This will cut down the draft and cut down your energy usage.

5. Do I have to say it? Change your light bulbs to compact fluorescent. They cost a bit more, but will last forever (ok, well maybe not forever, but they will last anywhere from 5-7 years).

6. Change the AC filter. It's time! Actually, the filter should be changed monthly. It will cut down on dust particles (less housework and less allergy attacks) and will also trim down your light bill by making your AC work efficiently.

These last two may not be feasible for apartment dwellers, but...

7. Install shady landscaping and 8. Install an attic fan.

That about says it all. Even if you only do 2, 3 or 5 out of 8 you will notice a big difference in your light and gas bills. Every bit helps.

Image courtesy of: http://www.liquidsidingok.com/default.asp

PURPOSE & SCOPE: Budget Friendly Green Living

We all understand the importance of “going green,” so I won’t get on my soap box about that (for now anyway). The problem for me has been how to maintain a green lifestyle on a “I live in a one bedroom apartment and have an extremely limited (paycheck to paycheck) budget.”

Also, have you gone to some of those “healthy planet sites” and tried out some of their eco-friendly tips, only to find out that it doesn’t work for you?? -- you’re following the exact cleaning directions or instructions for whatever, but you’re not getting the fantastic results being hawked. What’s up with that?! : )

And doesn’t living in the Deep South make if even more difficult to help save the planet?

I live in Houston --- this is OIL COUNTRY. No government official in Houston is TRULY attempting to look at alternative fuel options. Get real!

The bus system here is far from adequate and light rail is a joke unless you live & work in the Medical Center. It’s a distant dream (that city government keeps shooting down) if you live/work anywhere else.

Anyone who knows Monie (that’s me) knows how determined I am – sign of a true Taurean (some call it stubborn, but “determined” sounds so much more ladylike).


Well, between me & my fellow planet-lover, LaShaune, we promise to supply you with BUDGET FRIENDLY GREEN TIPS!!!

.....tips that we actually do or have at least tried.


…..hmmmm, I did promise to not get on my soapbox….wonder what happened with that : )

Benefits of Recycling

I guess this will be the inaugural piece for what we hope will be informative, witty and engaging reasons for recycling and reusing.

From personal experience, I find that most people don't recycle for several reasons:

1. It's not available curbside in their neighborhoods
2. It's time consuming
3. They don't see immediate benefits
4. It's not chic (well not until lately)

The list can go on for eons on why some people don't want to deal with the hassle. However, today I realized the best benefit of hauling my recyclables to the center was the liberating feeling of hurling my plastic and glass. It is the best stress reliever. Let the drama and issues of the day take form of the plastic bottle or wine bottle and hurl it down the chute and hear it crash below. Ahhhhh...

Do you recycle? If not, why?