Eco Cheap: Going Green On A Budget

In today’s world of insane gas prices and an ‘unsure at best economy,’ it’s easy to feel nervous about making changes……especially if those changes sound expensive!  I am here to tell you, however, that for moms here in the States, making positive changes to your diet, your children’s diets, and the environment around you is not only imperative…. it’s affordable. 

Cleaning Green

One of the easiest ways to go green is by overhauling the way in which you clean your house.  A simple baking soda and white vinegar solution will clean most household surfaces…even the bathroom.  If the idea of making your own cleaners sounds too cumbersome, you can find several brands of eco-friendly cleaners on most store shelves, cleaners that cost no more than the ones full of all of the toxic stuff. 

You can switch out your dishwashing liquid, dishwasher detergent and furniture polish on the cheap. White vinegar makes a great dishwasher rinsing agent!  Best of all, the green versions of these products will leave your dishes with no scary stuff, like potentially carcinogenic residues. 

Instead of expensive candles, tarts, and room deodorizers why not try to make your own non-toxic versions of incense with a couple of drops of essential oil?

Eating Green

One thing that we do to eat green on a budget is to shop at different stores.  I have found the stores in my neighborhood that have the best prices on each item that I use regularly and then I always buy those items there.  If you’re like me, you might be thinking that gas costs way too much to be driving around looking for a bargain.  Well that needn’t be the case.  Why not plan your trips around other errands?  If you do, you’ll probably find that you pass by the stores a couple of times per week. 

Now I know that not everyone will agree with this one, but I decided to shop at the stores that angered me. You know the ones I’m talking about.  The truth is that these stores are starting to carry more organic and all natural products and quite frankly, when times got tough, I found it hard to justify not shopping at these places. 

Another great way to eat green on the cheap is to hit up your local farmer’s market.  Here you can find the best prices imaginable on local, fresh produce.  This produce has often been grown organically, but due to the high costs of becoming certified, farmers cannot advertise their food as such.   

Now for all of those times that you just can’t get organic produce, it’s important to have a bottle of vegetable wash on hand.  You can buy vegetable wash from most stores here in the States, but if it isn’t available in your area, you can make vegetable wash with a handy lemon juice solution.

Mandy Ray-Jones is a featured contributor here at MOMbo TV.  If you have a question for Mandy or an ‘eco-cheap’ tip to share with the MOMbo TV community submit a comment below.