Going Green 10 Ideas Under 10 Dollars

Everything Under the Kitchen Sink

• Item 1: Green Household Cleaners, Less Than $5.00/Each 
• Item 2: Biodegradable Trash Bags, Less Than $10.00/Box

Believe it or not, going green can be as simple as rethinking the way you scrub your bathroom and take out your garbage (the non-recyclable stuff, of course).
Dora, one of Frager's household products gurus, suggests Clorox's extensive Green Works line. For less than $5.00 a pop (which is much easier on the pocketbook than comparable products with fancier packaging), you can pick up Earth-friendly clean wipes or cleaners for your dishes, windows, counters, toilets and tile. The benefits? They're formulated using natural, plant-based ingredients that you can actually pronounce. They also don't come in overly-perfumed spring mist or summer valley scents, and absolutely nothing is tested on small, furry things.
While you're in the household aisle weighing the impulse to buy that suction cup dishwashing brush (it's little and red and cute!), venture over to the trash bags section for another green no-brainer. It's here that you'll find a wide array of bio bags that promise to slash landfill volume, minimize organic waste entombment and reduce overall plastic pollution. Depending on the brand, quantity and size you prefer, most of these products clear our $10.00 threshold with some loose change to spare. And, if this seems a bit on the pricey side, remember the last time a small and seemingly insignificant rip led to the complete disintegration of one of those cheap, non-green trash bags.

"V" Is for Victory (& Vidalia Onion)

• Item 3: Herb & Vegetable Plants, $3.00+/Each 
• Item 4: Solar Panel Landscape Lighting, $4.00/Light

Back in the "we can do it" days of both World Wars, victory gardens sprouted up across the country as families looked to their yards – the well-manicured focal points of so many American Dreams – to ease pressure on strained food supply systems. According to Amnity, one of the many dirty-garden-gloved employees buzzing around Frager's lush nursery, that concept is back as customers explore ways to "get off the grid" in terms of what ends up on their dinner plates. While there's no instant gratification involved (if that's what you're craving, fast forward to the lighting section below), this green project is certainly cost effective. On just two of the many veggie carts parked sporadically throughout Frager's bustling outdoor department, I spy a veritable salad bar of lettuce, eggplant, tomatoes, cabbage, zucchini, cucumbers and banana peppers – all for less than three bucks each.
And of course, once Mother Nature works her beautiful magic, you'll definitely want to have people over to witness the first time you pick something off a vine and toss it on the grill. For a mere $3.88 each, you can set the mood and accessorize your new outdoor eco-fabulousness with wireless solar panel landscape lighting.

Somebody Green the Lights

• Item 5: Compact Florescent Light Bulbs, $3.00+/Each 
• Item 6: Basic Timer, Under $10.00/Each
• Item 7: Basic Dimmer, $7.00+/Each

No green-on-a-dime guide would be complete without paying homage to the undeniable poster child of the conservation movement – the funny looking swirly light bulb. With some models starting at just $3.00, these compact florescent light (CFL) blubs generally save $30 over their lifetime, all while using 75% less energy and lasting ten times longer than their incandescent peers. The superbly helpful Henry, who has worked off and on at Frager's "forever," says that if you want proof you can see in your checking account, make the switch during warmer summer months. It's then that you'll notice how these super bulbs not only consume less, but create less…heat that is.
Regardless of your bulbs of choice (CFLs, energy-efficient incandescents or Thomas Edison originals), it never hurts you, the planet or your wallet to periodically access how you're actually using light. That inviting lamp by the door makes your entry way look like something right out of Better Homes and Gardens, but does it always need to be on? Consider a basic timer, which can easily be yours for under $10.00. How about those overhead lights? Does your house really need to be lit like a football stadium? Starting at $7.00, a basic dimmer is an easy solution to harsh overhead.

Stop the Drain

• Item 8: Leak-Detecting Color Tabs, Usually Free
• Item 9: Water-Saving Flappers, $6.00+/Each
• Item 10: Flow-Reducing Washers, $.99+/Each

Now it's time to talk toilet. First thing's first, you've got to determine whether or not any of your pots are leaky (even if you don't hear that running noise that keeps you up all night long). The amazing Henry, who transitions from lighting to plumbing with almost shocking ease, recommends the free (that's right) leak detecting color tabs that almost all hardware stores carry these days. And, if you discover that you have a problem, he suggests the water-saving flappers that actually time the filling of the toilet bowl, therefore reducing overall consumption. The best news? They come in well under budget at around $6.00. Here's to restful nights.
And don't think you're done there when it comes to green upgrades in your bathroom. Available in a variety of diameters for literally less than a buck, flow-reducing washers are a big solution in a tiny package. Not convinced? Henry will make you a believer when he explains how these handy do-dads can easily be used to create DIY low-flow faucets and showerheads, which have been proven to cut water consumption in homes by as much as 50%.

Want more detailed information on how to make your home more energy efficient and environmentally friendly? Visit my website for my information or email me at KatieOakes@kw.com!




Source:  Preservation Nation