Before You Head Out on the Family Summer Vacation, Read This

Before you pack up the family and head out on your annual summer vacation, read this. We did a bit of math for you and calculated the cost of two summer vacations for a family of four. The results may surprise you.

 Amusement Park Vacation

Gasoline (5 tanks of gas for a 20 gallon tank)  =  approximately $500

Hotel for Family of four (2 nights on the road, 2 nights at the amusement park) = $520

Amusement Park Fees for a family of four (2 adults and  2 kids, averaged price of $100 per day) = $200

Food = (averaging $100 a day for food) = $400

Miscellaneous expenses (souvenirs, etc) = $250

 TOTAL = $1870 (Some would say this estimate is too low, while others might say the estimate is too high. Feel free to do your own calculations based on your local amusement park attractions to find an accurate dollar amount.)

 National Park Vacation

 Gasoline (5 tanks of gas for a 20 gallon tank) =  approximately $500

Camping Gear Rental (if you don’t already have the gear) = $100 for camping trailer rental for one week and $50 for extra supplies; $150 for camping gear rental (including tent) for 5 days. (You could camp on the road or add $130 per hotel night stay to your total.) 

National park fees = $80 for an annual pass which covers the driver and three passengers over age 16; children under age 15 get in free.

Food (cooked by campfire or grill and bought from the store, packed lunches on the road) = $200

TOTAL = $880 (Some would say this estimate is too low, while others might say the estimate is too high. Feel free to do your own calculations based on your local national park to find an accurate dollar amount.) 

You could save over $1,000 by traveling to a more eco-friendly (and wallet-friendly) destination. You can save money and still take the yearly family vacation!

By Allie, Reporting Green

 The Folks at We Can Live Green

10 Ways to Save Some Green This Summer

For those of you who don’t know, WCLG published a book on how to save green while going green entitled, We Can (All) Live Green: Simple Steps to Save Money, Stay Healthy and Support the Planet. If you follow one tip per section of the book, we estimate a savings of $5,000. This is a very, very conservative estimate. By the way, anyone out there need an extra $5,000?

1. Buy produce in season. Have you ever seen how much a wintertime basket of berries costs? Ouch. Off-season produce usually requires much more energy and resources to produce and transport, and it often retains less nutritional value too. Buying in-season produce only can skim $250 or more off your yearly grocery bill.

2. If you can’t afford fresh fruits and veggies, try frozen or canned. It’s usually cheaper to buy frozen or canned fruits and veggies, rather than fresh produce at the chain markets. Nutritionally, fresh is best, but frozen is a close second. Canned is fine too, if price is an issue; just make sure you’re always getting organic, and not a lot of added sugar or sodium. Depending on where you live, if you buy frozen or canned, you can save $200 a year and up on your grocery bill.

3. Try at least one vegetarian meal a week. You will save money on your weekly grocery bill! And it’s easier to cook a delicious vegetarian meal than you might imagine. When you’ve mastered one veggie meal a week, try to increase to two, and so on. It will add up: Having just one veggie meal a week can save you $200 a year; five meals a week saves $1000 a year! 

4. Embrace hand-me-downs – from friends, family members and fashionable neighbors. Participate in giving hand-me-downs too! Be creative – organize a “swap till you drop” party. There are lots of ways to save money and share your clothing with others, all while getting a few new duds of your own. An especially good option if you have children, since they often outgrow their clothing before our pocketbooks are ready for another trip to the store. Depending on your usual clothing expenses, you can save $200 to $400 a year and more.

5. Rideshare. The National Safety Council projects a $3000 yearly saving for commuters who rideshare. I want to be as conservative as possible in my promises, so I can assure you of savings above $2,000 a year, and hope you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how much more you will actually save! Anyone out there who can use an extra $2,000 or more right now? Coordinate a commuting strategy with coworkers or neighbors and start saving now: at least $2,000 a year.

6. Consider making your own household cleaning products. For a small investment of time and effort you will be supporting your health and the planet, while putting some cash in your pocketbook. You can save $200 or more a year.

7. Reduce your energy consumption. If you utilize any combination of suggestions from the Energy Vampire section, you can save up to 50% off of your energy bill. Cost savings: a minimum of $600 a year.

8. Stop buying bottled water. Purify your tap instead. There are a few exceptions to this, but if you purify your tap, you are getting equally pure if not purer water than most bottled water – all for a fraction of the cost. For a family of four, bottled water costs about $10 a week, minimum. Over the course of a year, you can save a minimum of $400 – and you are reducing plastics in our landfills as well!

9. Recycle…and get paid. Through a little organization, planning and time commitment, you can actually make money by doing the right thing. Depending on recycling options in your community – and your family’s commitment level – you can actually make (at the very least!) $300-plus a year. Look into it!

10. Take the “One Tank of Gas Challenge.” We Can Live Green issues a friendly challenge to you and your family to find a suitable vacation spot that you can travel to on…you guessed it…one tank of gas. Get the whole family involved and see what destinations your family or friends come up with. When you agree on a choice, take the plunge and take your trip. Happy trails to all of you!

Buy the book to get more great tips – you can find it at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Borders, Tower and much more! Check it out!

By Chase – Die Hard Greenie

We Can Live Green

We’re Back…and Better Than Ever!

Wow! It has been a long time since our last post! One baby and one book later, here we are.

We Can Live Green has had a hectic last year and a half with our founders having their first child and writing their first book. Ironically, the birth of their child and launch of the book were within days of each other in Fall 2008. Due to our own journey here at We Can Live Green into the wild and wonderful world of parenthood, our focus at WCLG has shifted to families and parents. Not that we won’t have information for everyone else out there – we just have a more specific focus for families now. We have been scouring the Internet and everywhere else to learn the best and most promising options for families who want to do what is right for their kids…so stay tuned.

Oh, you might be wondering about the book. The title is “We Can (All) Live Green: Simple Steps to Save Money, Stay Healthy and Support the Planet“. The concept behind the book is simple. How do you save money in today’s economy while addressing the health issues facing our families and planet? The book is full of great, simple steps that each of us can take to do the right thing – and keep a little more cash (actually a lot more cash!) in our pocketbooks. WCLG estimates a savings of a minimum of $5,000 in one year from using tips in the book. A very timely book in our current economic crisis. More to come!

All of our Best,

The Crew at We Can Live Green

Greening Your Valentine

Want to wow your valentine and save the planet? Try a few of these gifts. They’re sure to impress.

Valentine’s Day. For most it conjures up fond memories of romance, chocolates, sweet cards, flowers… and a bit of pressure. We’ve all felt the pressure to get a one-of-a-kind Valentine’s gift without breaking the bank and (for all of us eco-conscious folks out there) not hurting the planet. Fellow Valentines, have no fear. We have a few options for you to Green Your Valentine. Just make sure you order in time to avoid the Valentine’s Day rush!

CHOCOLATE

No Valentine’s Day would be complete without chocolate. But chocolate has a not-so-romantic history which is why it is important to buy your chocolate organic and fair trade. Fair Trade ensures that your chocolates come from farms that support the human rights of their workers and Organic ensures sustainable farming practices for the environment. For the chocolate lover in your life, we highly recommend the following: Theo Chocolate. A few suggestions for every price range: (3400 Phinney Nib Brittle Dark Chocolate Bar ($3.25 each), 6 or 12 piece collection box of confections, ($12 to $24) or the Aphrodisiac Confection Collection ($40) created especially for the Valentine’s holiday.

FLOWERS

If your special someone is fond of gifts of a more floral nature, we suggest Organic Bouquet. Organic Bouquet’s selection of flowers, plants and gift baskets is strictly devoted to organically grown, sustainable and environmentally friendly gifts. Consider giving a plant (a miniature Tuscan olive tree, $64.95) or flowers in a bulb bowl (Paperwhites in a bulb bowl $16.95), to add an extra dimension of sustainability to your gift.

CANDLES

If candles are what your sweetheart wants, consider Novica’s artist from Thailand Kasarin Krisanamis, whose original and thoughtful designs will please and inspire any Valentine. We particularly like Cinnamon Parade ($24.95) and Wonderful Blue Corner ($62.95). Novica specializes in gifts from artisans around the world which are brought to market in a sustainable, ethical and fairly traded fashion.

If you are still stumped for gifts for your sweetie, nothing beats time spent with your loved one and a good, old fashioned card (preferably a homemade or recycled paper card) with a few sweet sentences attached. In fact, no matter what you do, make sure that quality time with your loved one and some heart-felt appreciation is part of your celebration.

Written by Penelope – the Newbie at We Can Live Green

Poudre School District – Greening Leader in 2007

If you are in need of a model school district for a greening initiative in your state, look no further. Poudre School District is leading the charge on greening initatives. With an energy conservation plan dating back to 1994, Poudre School District in Fort Collins, Colorado has paved the way for like-minded schools.

A few stats about Poudre School District (PSD):

1. PSD is located in Fort Collins, Colorado, 40 miles north of Denver.

2. PSD covers 1,800 square miles, 48 schools and 3 charter schools and 24,500 students.

A few stats to wow you:

1. PSD has completed 139 energy efficiency projects since 1994.

2. PSD has completed Energy Star benchmarking of all schools and adminstrative offices.

3. Ongoing yearly savings from these projects is $400,000 per year.

4. PSD has recycled over 300 tons of paper, cardboard, magazines, aluminum, plastic, glass, technology and wood in fiscal year 2007 alone.

5. PSD is one of the first to have Silver and Gold LEED certified schools built in their school district.

For more information, go to Poudre School District.

Written by Allie, Reporting Green at We Can Live Green

Auld Lang Syne…and Going Green in 2008

Who doesn’t love the sweet, reminiscent sound of Auld Lang Syne at the stroke of midnight to ring in the new year?

And who doesn’t love the promise of starting fresh in the new year?

I’ve always been a fan of the song (which roughly translated means “times gone by” – more directly, “old long since”) and I’ve been an even bigger fan of the prospect of starting fresh on January 1.

What will 2008 bring to America and the planet? My hope is a renewed commitment to our home, planet Earth. I encourage everyone out there, in whatever capacity is possible for you, to make ‘going green’ (or ‘going greener’ for those of you well on the path to a greener lifestyle) your New Year’s Resolution.

At We Can Live Green, we’ve devised a 365 Day Pledge to Go Green. You don’t have to start it at the beginning of a new year. But if you’re searching for a New Year’s Resolution, why not try it? You can find the pledge at 365 Day Pledge.

Good luck!

Chase the Die Hard Greenie, We Can Live Green

Hugo, Our Faces Love You!

I am admittedly the biggest Hugo’s Natural Botanical Apothecary products fan ever! And when I saw Hugo this weekend at the EcoGift Expo, I was starstruck. The man is amazing. And humble. And brilliant. And he creates extraordinary products.

Which brings me to a sample he gave me to try. Hugo’s Lip Balm in pineapple and coconut scent. I hope he gave it to me to try out of the kindness of his heart and not because he could see the sad, wintry chapped lips I have right now. But none the less, I was given lip balm. And I tried it.

Not that I would have expected anything less from Hugo, but I love the lip balm! My personal experience with lip balm is that your lips feel great for about half an hour. Then, before you know it, your lips are back to being chapped again. That is not the case with Hugo’s Lip Balm. (Again, I am not surprised. My personal belief is that Hugo is part-magician, as his products work miracles!) I put on lip balm at 7:00ish last night and it is 5:45 p.m. on Sunday. I haven’t reapplied lip balm since yesterday. It works that well! And the flavors are delicious…just don’t eat them. I mean it.

Penelope, the Newbie – We Can Live Green

California Does It Again…the Green Schools Summit

Green Technology, in conjunction with the state of California, held the first California Green Schools Summit last week. The Summit, aimed at furthering Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s green building initiatives in California schools, brought together state officials, environmental leaders, green products and services companies and a host of celebrities in a three day summit held December 4-6, 2007 in Pasadena, California.

The summit featured:

• 75 educational workshops and sessions
• an exhibition floor complete with a model green school building and more than 200 companies offering green products and services
• a special “Student Summit” featuring green-school projects for California high school students
• keynote speakers
• an awards ceremony to celebrate sustainable schools throughout the state.

As Secretary Rosario Marin and State Architect David Thorman wrote in a recent commentary for the Summit, ” A school is not just a building, as any parent or teacher can tell you. Our schools provide an environment that fosters learning and provides young people with knowledge and experience that enable them to imagine their futures.” Indeed, it is no minor task to create a school that facilitates learning and provides a safe and healthy environment for students to learn. Add in the moral mandate we all have to build in an ethical, sustainable and socially responsible fashion, and one can quickly ascertain that the task set before Californians for greener schools is an immense challenge.

But it is not an impossible challenge, as evidenced by the tremendous number of exhibitors, state officials, educators, students and community members who participated in this event. California has set the pace for other states in recent legislation titled Proposition 1D, which allocated $100 million to assist the process of greening California’s K-12 schools.

Never one to shy away from leading the rest of the country, California is setting the pace once again.

For more information on the Green Schools Summit, please go to Green Technology.

Allie – Reporting Green for We Can Live Green

Our Quest for a New Vehicle – Week Two

We drove a few hybrid models this week. We focused this week on Toyota – so we tried the Prius and the new Highlander Hybrid. We had mixed reviews on both based upon our goals of fuel efficiency (Marina) and safety (Jim). Following are a few of our thoughts:

Jim: The Prius gets great gas mileage, but when driving in it, I felt a bit like it is a deathtrap on wheels. You’d have to drive the Southern California freeways to get what I mean here. Any one out there that does knows that safety is always a concern when driving on the freeways. Speaking of safety, the crash test ratings are great for the vehicle. However, these crash tests are always measured as a straight on or direct side collision with one object stationary. Accidents don’t happen that way and the laws of physics will definitely be in the favor of a larger vehicle if this Prius gets hit on the road. There’s got to be a safer option out there.

Marina: Yes, it is a smaller car. I happen to think they are cute. And I love what they stand for. Freedom from the gas pump. I like feeling like I am making a strong statement every time I get in my car. The Prius feels like a taller vehicle inside than I imagined. The only thing I really didn’t like was that I felt very vulnerable in the event of a side crash. There’s not much between the occupants of the car and the world outside. I don’t like that. Also, no more trips to the mountains (snowboarding) or oceans (surfing) with this car.

Jim: Now the Highlander Hybrid is a different story for me. It’s safe – all five star crash test ratings except for the passenger side which received a four star crash test rating. It’s a little bulkier. Due to its size, it should survive a crash better, and there are front and side curtain airbags. It would fit our lifestyle, Marina’s interest in fuel efficiency and my goal of safety.

Marina: I liked the way the Highlander Hybrid drove. Very smooth. It has a great feature where I can monitor my fuel efficiency as I drive. The Highlander Hybrid is an SULEV which means it is 90% more fuel efficient than an average vehicle. The Prius has a PZEV rating and it is 95%plus more efficient than an average vehicle. I don’t know how much difference that 5%plus makes. I’m looking that up this week. The Highlander Hybrid does feel safer and it fits our lifestyle. I think we are both interested in the Highlander, but I want to explore all options first.

Until next week –

Jim and Marina, Newly Married and Newly Green, writing for We Can Live Green

How the Greenie Stole Christmas….(But Saved the Planet)

I may be a little too hard-core green for mainstream America on this one, but I’m going to give it a shot. I happen to think I’ve got some great ideas that aren’t too crazy and will make a huge impact on the planet.

Take Christmas. I may sound a little cynical from time to time, but the truth is, I am a sentimentalist just like many others out there. I love the holidays. I love the feeling in the air that permeates cities, towns and homes – the laughter, the songs, that general feeling of merriment.

But the thing is…I love planet Earth even more than any given holiday. And many of our holiday traditions are wasteful and harmful to planet Earth. So, I’m proposing people forgo the following activities this holiday season. Here are a few ideas:

1. Don’t put up holiday lights this year. I’m not putting up lights this year. Call me grinch if you want to. If you can’t imagine the holidays without lights, please use the more energy-efficient lights called LED lights. They are now widely available across the United States.

2 If you must have a Christmas tree, buy a living Christmas tree. Take care of it throughout the holidays and plant it after the holidays are over. You should be able to get your local forestry service to plant the tree, or in Portland, Oregon and San Francisco, California you can rent a living Christmas tree and they’ll take care of planting the tree for you.

3. Make your gifts this year. Back to the sentimentalist in me, those presents are best. Enough said on that.

4. If you’re buying gifts, check out our Green Gift Guide as well as our online directory. If you plan to buy gifts, please buy gifts that are responsible.

When it’s all said and done, each decision we make is either hurting or helping the planet. There is really no gray area here. So, make the decision to help the planet by foregoing a few holiday traditions. Come to think of it, that’s really the spirit of Christmas at work, isn’t it? Maybe this Greenie isn’t trying to steal Christmas after all.

Chase – Die Hard Greenie, We Can Live Green Staffer at http://www.wecanlivegreen.com