25 Green and Cheap Ways to Live
by Sarah Lane
As the struggle in the economic markets rages on, you can feel confident that your family’s particular financial concerns are pretty much irrelevant in any specific plans to slow down the slide of our economy into a likely recession. We regular people (a.k.a. nongazillionaires) are simply going to have to take care of ourselves and each other. And when it comes down to it, making like Buddha and saying to yourself (I’m paraphrasing here), “I don’t have any control over it anyway,” …

by Julie Hall
Until recently Americans were eating out a lot. Estimates vary, but some statistics indicate that people, both singles and families, were eating out 4-5 times a week, not including take out restaurant meals. This trend is dropping as we look for ways to save dough by making the dough at home.
In addition to being less expensive, eating home-cooked food is healthier. According to a 2006 study by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, restaurant food is more caloric and less nutritious than food prepared at home. And, perhaps not …

by Julie Hall
Buying bulk is a great way to lower your food bill, eat better, and give the planet a break. You can buy bulk in two ways:

Buy larger quantities.
Buy from the bulk food section.

Buying Bulk Quantities
First, you can purchase larger sizes of items you eat a lot of often for relatively lower prices. For example, a can of organic stewed tomatoes at my local market sells for $4.34 per pound at the 14.5-ounce size and $3.29 per pound at the 28-ounce size. Though most large sizes are proportionately a …

by Julie Hall
As food wise man Michael Pollan tells us, how much one eats home-cooked food is a powerful predictor of health, even more powerful than one’s income. Eating food prepared at home is also a great way to save money, establish more environmentally responsible habits, and strengthen relationships. (For great ideas on how to cook more efficiently, read Tips for More Efficient Cooking.)
Reasons Not to Eat Out or Take Out:

You don’t know what’s in it, who prepared it, and how fresh and safe it is.
It’s usually prepared in …