Gasoline Credit Cards

By Alisa Miller

As drought has stretched across much of the nation, it’s a great time to find ways to conserve water. If everyone used less water on a regular basis, the amount of water conserved would add up quickly. If you would like to find simple ways to use less water, then follow these tips to get you started. Before you know it, you’ll be a conservation professional.

In the Bathroom

Waking up first thing in the morning, saving water might not be on your mind. Try to incorporate these tips in your daily routine, though, for some great ways to use less water.

1. Brushing teeth. Turn off the water while you are brushing your teeth, then turn it back on when you are ready to rinse. This can save nine gallons of water.
2. Bathe. Take a bath rather than a shower: it uses less water if you like to stand in your shower a while.
3. Bathe less frequently. Unless you’ve really been working up a sweat, it’s likely you could go every other day with a bath rather than bathing every day. Not only will you save water, but your skin will appreciate the break too.
4. Toilet. If your toilet needs replacing, be sure to install a low flow toilet. You can also choose one with duel flushing, so when you need to use less water, you can choose the lighter flush.
5. Shower head. If you can’t break the shower habit, at least change your shower head to a one that is water-efficient.
6. Shorter shower . Another tip for die-hard shower people is to keep your shower short. Set a timer for 5 minutes and get yourself out when your time is finished.
7. Check for leaks. Make sure your toilet isn’t leaking. If it is, make the simple repairs to save over 600 gallons of water a month.
8. Replace the flapper. For just a few dollars and about five minutes of your time, you can replace the flapper and save on water that would be unnecessarily running from the toilet.
9. Bathe together. Two in a shower takes less water than two separate showers. Also, if you have young children, they can take a bath together rather than filling the tub two or three times.
10. If it’s yellow…. Follow the adage, “If it’s yellow let it mellow. If it’s brown, flush it down.” Flushing urine every second or third time saves water.
11. Older toilets. If your toilet is from before 1980, add a bottle of water to the tank to use less water for refilling the tank each flush.
12. Navy Shower. Take a navy shower, which requires that you only turn on the water when you are rinsing the soap or shampoo from your body.
13. Reuse towels. Instead of washing your towel after every use, reuse those towels. Washing them once a week will save considerably on water.

In the Kitchen

Another place where water usage is wasted easily, the kitchen offers a great opportunity to save water. From reusing water to not leaving the tap running, you will find plenty of ideas to use less water in this list.

1. Hand washing. Don’t leave the water running while you rinse dishes. Fill up the sink with clear water and dunk your soapy dishes there for a rinse.
2. Full load. Only run the dishwasher when it is full. It takes the same amount of water to wash four dishes as it does a full load. The same goes for the laundry room–don’t run the washing machine unless you’ve got a full load.
3. Compost. Rather than using the garbage disposal, which requires water, compost that waste. Not only will you have saved water, but you’ll be making your own free compost for your landscaping.
4. Produce. Wash your produce like you rinse your dishes. Fill up the sink and clean your produce in that water rather than running the water in the sink.
5. Thawing. Don’t use running water to defrost your food. If it’s meat, let it thaw in the refrigerator over night. If you need a quick thaw, fill your sink with just enough hot water to cover your item, then let it soak.
6. Soak. For those stuck-on food problems, let the pots and pans soak in standing water a while and the food will come right off. It saves water and elbow grease over scraping under running water.
7. Don’t rinse. If your dishwasher is newer, pre-rinsing is not necessary. Just scrape the big particles of food into your compost pile and put the dishes straight into the dishwasher.
8. Don’t soften. Only install water softening devices if absolutely necessary. The process of softening the water generates more water that is flushed out with other household wastewater.
9. Add less water. Adding less water when cooking not only saves water, but it also maintains more of the nutrients in the food.
10. Kettle. Only fill the tea kettle with as much water as you need. Overfilling and pouring the extra down the drain wastes water.

In the Laundry Room

Washing clothes requires a lot of water. Use these tips to help reduce the amount of water used to do your laundry.

1. Water level. Be sure to match the water level in the washer to the size of your load. Don’t wash just a few clothes in the large load.
2. Hand wash. If you just have one or two items to wash, don’t throw them in the washer. It’s easy to hand wash those items in the sink and save a lot of water.
3. Front load washer. When it’s time to replace your washing machine, choose a front load washer. They use less water and are also more gentle on your clothes.
4. Lint filter. If your washing machine has a lint filter, keep it clean. A clean filter can prevent overflow problems.
5. Detergent. Use a high-efficiency detergent. The lower amount of suds will rinse more quickly. Some washers detect the suds and keep rinsing until they are all gone.
6. Recycle water. Attach a hose to your washing machine outlet pipe and redirect that wash water. Collect the water to use on the yard.

In the Yard

Achieving a beautiful lawn is the goal for many homeowners. Be smart when you go for the “Yard of the Month” sign and take the advice below for ways to use less water in your yard.

1. Xeriscape. When you purchase plants or grass for your yard, choose those that are indigenous to your region. They will require less water and less maintenance.
2. Sprinkler system check. Make sure your sprinkler system is adjusted correctly so that the water is going on the yard and not the sidewalk or street. Also, make sure it’s not running so long that the yard gets saturated and extra water runs out into the street.
3. Rain sensor. Check to see if your sprinkler system has a rain sensor, and if it does, use it. That way, your sprinkler system won’t go off unnecessarily if it’s just rained. If your system doesn’t have one, see about installing one.
4. Time your planting. Plant during the spring or fall when you need to use less water. In addition to saving water, you are also giving your plants time to become established before summer rolls around.
5. Time your watering. Water your yard in the early morning or late evening when the sun is less hot. Rather than evaporating, the water goes where you want it–to your yard.
6. Adjust your mower. Mow your grass so that it is a little longer after mowing. The longer blades will shade the roots and keep moisture on the soil longer.
7. Soaker hose. Using a soaker hose lets water trickle down slowly, ensuring that all the water goes in the ground and not on sidewalks. This is especially handy if your landscaping is on a hill where water would naturally run off while watering.
8. Fertilize lightly. Fertilizing the yard requires more water. Use fertilizer sparingly, or better yet, find natural ways to feed your yard.
9. Weed. Weeding your yard eliminates extra plant life that steals the water from your lawn. Additionally, your yard will look nicer.
10. Rake and save. Save your leaves until the spring and use them as a natural mulch. Adding this mulch to your garden will retain moisture on the soil and require less watering.
11. Chooser your sprinkler. When choosing a sprinkler, chose one that distributes large droplets of water. Small droplets evaporate quickly while the large droplets get more water in the ground.
12. Hand water. For small sections of the yard, hand water them. You can direct the water to exactly the spot that needs it.

Around the house

From retrieving dropped ice cubes to reusing water for house plants, you will find lots of helpful tips in the list below to use less water around the house.

1. Driveway. Don’t clean your driveway with the water hose. Instead, use a push broom and sweep the drive or use a shovel for those tough jobs.
2. Car washing. If you like to wash your car at home, turn off the water in between rinses. Don’t let the water run down the driveway while you scrub the car. Better yet, use a commercial car wash that recycles water.
3. Plants. Collect rain water to water the plants, or reuse the water you used to rinse your produce if rain isn’t in your weather forecast. If you have an aquarium, when cleaning the tank, reuse that water for plants too.
4. One glass. Keep one glass out all day for drinking water. Getting a new glass every time you get water unnecessarily dirties dishes and requires you to run the dishwasher more often.
5. Toss the tissue. Throw your used tissues in the trash rather than flushing them down the toilet. Unnecessary flushing wastes water.
6. Pets. Bathe your pets in a section of the yard that needs water. Be sure to turn off the water while you are lathering Spot.
7. Washing hands. While soaping up your hands, turn off the water. Running water while you are soaping just wastes it. Also, use cold water rather than wasting water while waiting for the hot water to heat.
8. Oops ice. Dropped ice cubes on the floor? Don’t throw them in the sink. Put them in your pet’s water bowl or stick them in a house plant.
9. Main water valve. Know where your main water valve is located and how to turn it off. In case of a leak, getting it turned off quickly can save a huge amount of water.
10. Covers. Use covers on your pool or spa. By covering them, you can greatly reduce evaporation, thereby requiring less water to maintain proper levels.
11. Monitor your bill. Keep an eye on your water bills and be aware if there seems to be a jump in the amount of usage that you can’t explain. This is frequently the way most homeowners recognize when a leak has occurred. You will save both money and water by staying on top of leaks.
12. Every day. Do at least one thing every day to save water. By making a conscious effort to conserve water every day, you will be making a huge difference.

By Alisa Miller

Fuel costs are rising, summer is approaching with its typically higher gas prices, and there is no end in sight. Any way to save money by using less gas is a welcome relief. From using alternate transportation to changing how it works, the following suggestions will help you find a way to use less gas. While you may not be able to take advantage of all these great tips, there is sure to be enough to help you and your wallet.

Alternate Transportation

If you can lose the car altogether, that is the best way to use less gas. Even if you don’t sell your car outright, using it occasionally while relying on these suggestions most of the time will save you tons.

1. Walk. Take advantage of the easiest and cheapest form of transportation–walking. If your destination is within a mile or two, you can easily walk the distance. Not only will you save gas, but you will be doing something healthy for your body, too.
2. Take the bus. Grab a bus schedule and try taking the bus instead of jumping in your car for every trip. Some cities offer days with free bus rides when pollution is high, too.
3. Park and Ride. Is the bus stop too far from your house? Many places offer park and ride options. Drive your car to a designated parking lot, then catch the bus from that location. You will significantly reduce the gas you use that way.
4. Catch the Train. If your city has light rail or some type of commuter train, ride the train to your destination. Trains are an option for traveling as well. Check out the AMTRAK schedule and see if you can plan your next trip on the train.
5. Ride a bike. Bicycles aren’t just for kids. Hop on your bike and get to your destination more quickly than walking. And just like walking, if you are going somewhere within a few miles, the bike makes a lot of sense. Here’s a few more reasons to ride your bike.
6. Xtracycle. So you have kids and say you can’t ride a bike and transport them, too? Now you can with the Xtracycle. Think how much gas you’ll save using this baby. Also, check out this blog post from Clever Cycles that demonstrates more multi-folk bike riding.
7. Drive a scooter. Scooters are all the rage right now. Trade in your car and buy a scooter outright. You’ll have no car payment and the scooters get up to 80 miles to the gallon.
8. Motorcycle. Somewhere between a car and a scooter lies the motorcycle. You can’t beat the gas savings you will get with a motorcycle, plus you can enjoy the freedom of the open road.
9. Rollerblade. Rather than walk, why not rollerblade to work? It’s much faster and still requires no gas. Read this to find out if rollerblading will work for you.
10. Segway. Security guards and tour guides are showing up on Segways, so why not ride one to work? Find out how this blogger enjoyed his first try with a Segway.

Improve Your Car from the Inside

By making sure your car is running smoothly and in tip top shape, you will be using much less gas when you drive your car. Find out the most important elements to ensuring good gas mileage for your car.

11. Check your air filter. Check your air filter to see if it needs to be changed. Consider upgrading to a better quality filter. Both of these suggestions will keep gas money in your pocket. Learn how to change your air filter yourself with this article.
12. Change your fuel filter. Like your air filter, keeping your fuel filter clean will help improve your gas mileage. Check your car manual to find out how frequently you need to change it.
13. Change your oil. Getting your oil changed regularly keeps your car in shape and reduces the amount of gas it uses. Change your oil every 5,000 miles unless you live in a hot climate, then every 3,000 miles.
14. Check your oxygen sensor. If your “Check Engine” light is on, chances are it might be the oxygen sensor. If you need a new oxygen sensor, you can improve your fuel economy considerably by replacing it.
15. Use correct grade motor oil. Take a look at your car’s owner’s manual to determine the correct grade motor oil for your car. Using the right grade will improve performance and save you gas. Learn more about selecting the proper grade and why.
16. Use synthetic motor oil. By reducing engine friction, synthetic oil will improve your gas mileage. Again, check your car manual to ensure this is a safe alternative.
17. Buy radial tires. Radial tires create less friction and are longer-lasting. Not only will you save on gas, but you won’t have to replace your tires as quickly either. Read this entertaining look back at how one car was modified to get better gas mileage in the 1970s. Check out #6 for radial tire information and how it can help you today.
18. Change spark plugs. Ditch the old spark plugs and get your car set up with new ones to improve the performance of your car. You will save money on gas when your car runs better.
19. Check fluid levels. Low fluid levels will prevent your car from running at its peak. Get fluids to the appropriate levels and you’ll see better gas mileage. Learn which fluid levels are important and how to check them.
20. Add a fuel injector cleaner. Each time you change the oil in your car, add a fuel injector cleaner to ensure your fuel injection system is performing at its peak.
21. Check for leaks. One great way to save money on gas is by keeping it in your tank. Make sure your gas isn’t leaking on to the road.
22. Check radiator thermostat. If you drive an older car, make sure your radiator thermostat is working properly. If not, you are wasting gas.
23. Improve Your Car from the Outside. How your car performs is just part of the picture. You can also follow these suggestions for your car above the hood to improve your fuel efficiency.
24. Check your tire pressure. When your tires are inflated to the proper pressure, your car drives more efficiently. Check your tire pressure often and you’ll save gas.
25. Take out the junk. Make sure you aren’t carrying around too much extra stuff in your car or in the trunk. 100 pounds of added weight in your car will significantly affect your gas mileage. This blog post explains how weight of the car affects mileage.
26. Clear the roof. Carrying stuff on your roof such as roof racks or ladders causes drag which will use more gas. Take off anything you don’t need and you’ll save money.
27. Tint your windows. Especially if you live in a hot climate, tinting your windows can reduce the amount of air conditioning you need to use, which improves gas mileage.
28. Get aligned. Your tires, that is. Proper tire alignment reduces drag, which keeps your car running more efficiently.
29. Get a bed cover. If you drive an older pick-up, consider installing a bed cover. It will improve your aerodynamics, thereby decreasing drag. Newer trucks usually already have the aerodynamics designed into the vehicle.
30. Check your gas cap. A broken gas cap or one that is not screwed in tightly will allow for evaporation of gas. Make sure your cap is working properly.
31. Install solar vents. To reduce air conditioner usage, consider installing solar-powered window fans that exchange the warm air in the car for cooler air outside the car.

At the Pump

How you fill up your car with gas can have a big impact on how much you save. Use these tips to help reduce how much you spend for gas.

31. Get a gas credit card. Many gas companies offer gas credit cards that offer discounts on gas from their stations. Make sure their prices are reasonable before the discount, though.
32. Get a rebate credit card. Some credit cards offer rebates on gas purchases. Use this handy chart to see how much you can save or read this helpful article to know how to choose the best card.
33. Get a membership card. Some grocery or wholesale stores offer discounts on gas with a membership card like this one. Learn what’s available in your area.
34. Pay with cash. Some gas stations will give you a discount for paying with cash. Check your local stations to see if this benefit is available.
35. Fill up at the right time. Filling your tank in the early morning or late evening will ensure that you are putting more liquid gas and less vapor into your car. This way, you get the most gas for your money.
36. Compare prices. When you are out, pay attention to prices. But don’t drive across town just to fill up for a few cents less. You’ll be driving your savings away.
37. Choose appropriate octane fuel. Unless you have a luxury car, you can probably get by with the lowest octane fuel and save yourself considerably on the gas. If you can’t use the lowest, it will probably save you money in the long run with less repair problems from using the wrong gas. Read more about why this is so.
38. Fill up mid-week. Gas prices are typically higher near the weekend, so fill up your tank mid-week to get the best prices. Supposedly Wednesday is typically the cheapest day to buy gas.
39. Stay at a B&B. Book your reservations for specific Bed and Breakfast inns through BedandBreakfast.com’s free gas specials to get money back for your gas.
40. Don’t top off. When the gas pump shuts off automatically, don’t try to add any more. The extra gas you try to put in the tank will probably not make it into the tank.
41. Fill up at a quarter tank. Don’t wait until the gas gauge hits empty before you fill up. Filling up around a quarter tank is better for your fuel injection system, thus improving your gas mileage.

Find the Fuel Online

Whether you want alternate fuel or good, old-fashioned gas, use these online fuel finders to locate the best price in your neighborhood.

42. AltFuelPrices.com. Search for biodiesel, ethanol, and many other alternative fuel sources by zip code. Click on each site to find the current price.
43. FuelMeUp.com. Use this online search to find the best price in your area. Search by regular, midgrade, super, or diesel and get the prices for each.
44. GasBuddy.com. Enter your zip code or city to find gas prices in your area with time and date of when the price is reported. You can also easily report a price on the same page.
45. GasNearU.com. This online resource seems to pinpoint by zip code very efficiently and offers an easy-to-read spreadsheet with prices for each grade. They also include the highest, lowest, and average price.
46. GasPriceWatch.com. Providing gas stations with pricing on a Google map, this site is easy to use. The gas price reportings are flagged if they are older than three days.
47. Motor Trend.com. Search by zip code or state to find gas prices near you. No map is included on this site, so know your streets when using this one.
48. MSN Autos. Find gas stations in your zip code located on an MSN map. Scroll down to find the corresponding prices.

Choose Your Fuel

You don’t have to rely on gasoline alone. Explore some of these opportunities for alternative fuels or learn to choose the best brand of gasoline.

49. Ethanol. Primarily made from starch in corn grain, this alternative fuel source is added into petroleum-based fuels. Any car made after 1970 can safely use a 10% ethanol blend. Learn the latest about ethanol at Ethanol Blog.
50. Biodiesel. For those with diesel engines, an alternative fuel might be biodiesel. Like ethanol, biodiesel comes from a plant source, this time soy bean oil. It is also mixed with petroleum-based fuels. Read about some of the benefits of driving with biodiesel fuel.
51. Electric. Sure, you have to buy a whole car to take advantage of this fuel source, but what a great alternative to paying for gas. Find out ten great reasons to drive electric.
52. Hybrid. Again, this requires a new car purchase to take advantage of the hybrid, but using a mix of gas and electricity will help save money on fuel expenses.
53. Flex-fuel. Some vehicles are equipped to take flex-fuel, or ethanol mixed at a higher blend rate than 10%. Read this article to find out more about flex-fuel, where to buy it, and how to know if your car takes it.
54. Choose the brand. Some brands of gas are more expensive and some are less expensive. Do your homework to determine why they are priced differently and if paying the extra will save you in the long run or not.

Drive Smart

Changing the way you drive can have one of the biggest impacts on your car’s gas mileage. Try these suggestions to help you to use less gas.

55. Avoid idling. Turning your car off and back on again uses less gas than idling for 30 seconds in newer cars and one minute in older cars.
56. Steady speed. Speeding up and slowing down abruptly uses more gas. Maintain a slower, steady speed and you will use less gas.
57. Start slowly. Accelerating slowly uses less gas than putting the pedal to the metal. Leave the fast take-off for the race car drivers.
58. Brake less. Don’t run into the car in front of you, but coasting more and braking less will use less gas.
59. Keep your foot off the brake. Accidentally resting your foot on the brake while you drive not only creates a drag on your car that reduces gas mileage, it also shortens the life of your brakes.
60. Use cruise control. Maintaining a constant speed will use less gas than driving at variable speeds. It might even encourage you to keep your speed at a slower rate, which is also better for your fuel economy.
61. Turn off the A/C. Running the air conditioner uses considerably more gas. See if you can get by with the windows rolled down. This changes if you are doing highway driving, however. You will want to use the A/C to reduce the drag on your car that occurs with windows down at a faster rate of speed.
62. Use overdrive. If your car has overdrive gears, use them when you are doing highway driving. This uses less gas.
63. Drive 55. Highway driving over 55 mph significantly reduces the gas mileage of your vehicle. Driving slower not only saves money, but it’s safer too.
64. Ride behind a large truck. On the highway, riding behind an 18-wheeler allows you to draft off the truck and use less of your gas. Just be careful you aren’t tailgating and be vigilant of the truck driver’s movements.
65. No lights. Don’t use your headlights during the daytime. Turning off the lights puts less strain on the engine, which uses less gas.
66. Don’t warm up. Avoid prolonged warm-up times and just start your car when you are ready to go. If it’s freezing outside, some experts suggest that allowing 30-45 seconds for warm-up is plenty.
67. Shift low. If you drive a manual transmission, upshift at the lowest speed possible. This will use less gas than shifting when your RPMs are revved high.
68. Turn off 4×4. If your car is equipped to turn off the four-wheel drive component, do so. Saving it for when you are off-road will save your gas.
69. Don’t rev. Revving your engine just burns gas. Keep your foot off the accelerator unless you are accelerating smoothly or maintaining a constant speed.
70. Take advantage of stoplights. Driving the speed limit through town will often ensure that you are taking advantage of the timing of traffic lights. Hitting all green lights means your speed stays constant and you use less gas.
71. Don’t weave. Constantly changing lanes while weaving in and out of traffic will use more gas. Find a lane that is moving at a speed similar to yours and stay there.
72. Stay focused. Leave the cell phone down and eat your burger somewhere else. While you are driving, stay aware of what is going on around you so that you can avoid fast breaking, sudden swerves, and variable speeds–all of which use more gas.

Plan Well

Think ahead to help prevent excessive gas usage. All of these tips will have you saving that precious fuel.

73. Combine trips. Plan your errands so that you can make multiple stops in the same area and at the same time.
74. Is it necessary? Think about the trip you are about to make in your car. If it isn’t something that has to be done, then skip it.
75. Park it. Don’t drive around a parking lot looking for the closest parking space. Park and walk. Take advantage of the opportunity for some exercise.
76. Park strategically. Parking in between multiple errands where you can walk from place to place will reduce the amount of driving you have to do.
77. Park forward-facing. Using reverse uses more gas. Park so that you can start your car and leave facing forward.
78. Choose your route carefully. Don’t go through the most traffic or you will spend your time and gas idling. Plan ahead and take the road less traveled.
79. Avoid rough roads. Gravel or unpaved roads are harder on your car and require more gas to maneuver. Find another way to get there, if possible.
80. Park in the shade. Gas will evaporate from your tank at a much quicker rate when it is in the direct sun. Park in the shade and keep more of your gas in the tank.
81. Invest in a GPS. With a GPS, you will know exactly how to get where you are going. This saves all the gas you would have spent driving around trying to find your way.
82. Use maps. If you can’t afford a GPS, rely on one of the many online maps or city maps available. Know where you are going before you get lost.
83. No drive-thru. Park your car and walk into the restaurant rather than sitting in the drive-thru line. The idling or constant starting and stopping waste more gas than just parking.
84. Choose your car. If you have two cars, use the one that gets better gas mileage whenever possible.
85. Vacation smart. Plan vacations around non-peak times (like the middle of summer) and avoid holidays. Not only are gas prices higher, but with more cars on the road, you’re more likely to get stuck in traffic.
86. Track gas mileage. Monitoring your gas mileage on a regular basis will allow you to watch for changes which could indicate a problem with your car. Being aware and fixing the problem early will help with how much gas you use.
87. Grocery shop wisely. If you have to drive to the grocery store, limit your trips to once a week. If your store is within walking or biking distance, make several small trips throughout the week so that you can transport your groceries in small batches.
88. Bargain shop from home. Use the telephone or computer to find the best deal instead of driving all over town. You’ll save money from the gas you save as well as the bargain you found.
89. Shop mail order. Do your shopping from home. That way you don’t have to spend money for gas and can have your goodies delivered to your door.

The Commute

Going to and from work is usually where most Americans use the bulk of their gas. Find ways to reduce your commute time or eliminate the number of commuters on the road.

90. Carpool. Sharing the commute to work eliminates the number of cars on the roads and cuts the cost of fuel by the number of people in the car.
91. Rideshare. Don’t have anyone with whom to carpool or are you traveling across country and looking for someone to share the ride? Try ERideShare.com or CarPoolConnect.com for free connections.
92. Telecommute. If your boss will work with you, see if you can work from home any or every day of the week. Even eliminating just one day a week will save you gas money.
93. Use flextime. If telecommuting isn’t an option where you work, try to use flextime. By allowing employees to arrive and leave at flexible times, rush hour traffic can be avoided.
94. Car share. If you don’t want to own a car, but don’t want to be completely without one either, try car sharing. Simply reserve a car for a specific time period, arrive at the parking lot where the car is located, drive until your reservation time is complete, and return the car at the spot where you picked it up. Zipcar offers the convenience of a slide car that all members receive that unlocks each of their cars.
95. Commuter vans. Similar to carpooling, many public transportation systems offer a van pool. A group of people going to the same location drive a commuter van together. Each city’s policies on cost and where the van stays may vary.
96. Go to the gym. Or go someplace nearby your work when you finish for the day. That way you can do something positive for yourself while you let rush hour traffic die down. Who knew going to the gym could save you money?
97. Move. This may only apply if you are in the market for a new house or you rent, but move closer to work so you are more easily able to take advantage of walking or one of the other alternate transportation methods.
98. Take the 2 Mile Challenge. Based on the fact that 40% of urban travel is within two miles, Clif Bar has proposed the 2 Mile Challenge as a way to get people on their bikes for those two short miles. Take the challenge and use less gas.
99. Work compressed work weeks. Work fewer days with longer hours to do less driving. You will also likely miss rush hour traffic this way.
100. Buy a new car. If you’re driving an old gas guzzler, payments on a newer, more fuel-efficient car may cost less than the money you are spending on gas each month–especially if your car is already paid off.

And Finally…

101. Use a combination. To really make the most impact on your gas savings, use a combination of several of these options. Just relying on one or two will not give you the best return for your money. Implement as many of these suggestions as you can into your regular routine, and you will see a big difference in that fuel bill every month.

By Alisa Miller

What you do in the morning sets the tone for your entire day. Making positive choices for your morning routine promises to make whatever comes your way easier to manage. Follow the suggestions below to get a great start on your morning for both your body and your mind.

Food and Drink

Starting the day with something in your body is likely the most important way to jumpstart your day. Whether it’s a nutritious breakfast, vitamins, or a simple glass of water, you will find several ideas for how to get your morning going.

1. Water. First thing as soon as you get out of bed, drink a glass of water. Not only will you jumpstart your hydration for the day, but the water will serve to help clear the cobwebs in your mind.
2. Eat breakfast. As they say, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Starting the day with breakfast doesn’t have to be a major production and will get your day off to a great start. Find out exactly why eating breakfast is so important in this article.
3. Make breakfast easy. Breakfast doesn’t have to be difficult. Grab a bagel or a yogurt and add a piece of fruit to have a quick and easy breakfast. This blog post offers some great ideas for an easy breakfast.
4. Coffee. You can always try the old stand-by of a cup of coffee to get you going in the morning. Treat yourself to an automatic coffee maker so when your alarm goes off, you have a cuppa joe ready to go. If you enjoy the coffee from your favorite coffee shop, then motivate yourself to get out of the house sooner with the promise of someone else making that perfect cup.
5. Tea. For those who don’t drink coffee, how about a cup of tea? It is super easy to make, and the selection is almost limitless. Tea is a great source of antioxidants and you can get it with caffeine or caffeine-free. Read here to find out more about the health benefits of tea.
6. Fruit smoothie. Grab your blender, some milk or yogurt, and whatever fruit you have on hand (use fresh or frozen). Smoothies are delicious, easy to make, full of nutrition, and sure to get your day going. Try this peanut butter and banana smoothie for some extra protein in the morning.
7. Protein powder. Add some whey protein powder (or soy protein powder if you don’t eat dairy) to your fruit smoothie, and you’ll really add a spring to your step in the morning. Learn about the benefits of whey protein powder here.
8. Vitamin B complex. B vitamins give you energy and help memory and thinking. Take a good quality vitamin B complex supplement each morning to ensure you get the proper balance of your B vitamins. Another easy way to get your Bs is to drink them from a supplement like Emergen-C. The packets come in many different flavors and mix into water for a fast gulp of both B and C vitamins as well as other minerals and electrolytes.
9. Have a green drink. Green drinks are all the rage in health circles. Imagine a smoothie with vegetables instead of fruit and no dairy. You can make your own like this one, or use a prepackaged version like this.
10. Green tea bags. Instead of ingesting this drink, put some green tea bags on your eyes. Steep the tea, then cool the tea bags off in the freezer. Place the cool bags on your eyes for a reduction in puffiness. As an added bonus, you can drink the green tea while you wait for the tea bags to cool.

Exercise

Getting out of bed and getting your body moving is a great way to ensure you don’t go back to sleep and that you get the morning started with gusto. Fitting exercise in first thing in the morning also means you don’t have to worry about doing it later in the day after so many other tasks pile up and your energy begins to wane. It also gets your metabolism going early in the day.

11. Yoga. Yoga is a calming, yet energizing way to get your body and your mind going in the morning. You don’t even have to go to a studio to do some basic yoga positions. Watch this video to learn how to do a sun salutation series, or read about how to do sun salutations at this site (the animated stick figure is actually quite helpful to learning how to do the moves).
12. Run. Roll out of bed and into your running clothes. Get in a short run before starting your day and you will have not only awakened yourself, but have done your exercise for the day as well.
13. Walk. If running isn’t your thing or you just need to give your body a rest, walking is both an excellent form of exercise and will get your day off to a great start.
14. Stretch. It can be as simple as bending down to touch your toes or as elaborate as a workout routine, but stretching will get your blood flowing and keep you from crawling back to bed. Try these easy stretches to get your morning going.
15. Jump rope. Jumping rope isn’t just for kids. This exercise is easy to do at home, doesn’t cost a lot, and gets your heart pumping right away. Why You Should Jump Rope not only answers why, but offers four different techniques and a video demonstrating some techniques.
16. Swim. Whether you have access to a swimming pool or a natural body of water, taking an early morning dip will get your blood flowing and stimulate your appetite for that healthy breakfast. Swimming is an excellent workout for your body and offers some quiet time for your mind.
17. Tai Chi. In many Asian countries, it is not unusual to see people outside early in the morning practicing their Tai Chi. Learn more about the benefits from this graceful, low-impact exercise in this article.
18. Bicycle. Jump on your bike, whether it’s stationary or the traditional kind that can take you places. Cycling is good for your heart and will get you going in the morning. If you are lucky enough to ride outside, the fresh morning air will help get you going too.
19. Push-ups. While these may bring visions of boot camp or memories of that crazed PE teacher you had in school, push-ups are a great way to get your morning started and require no extra cost or equipment. Here is one way to do those push-ups to get your blood flowing in the morning.
20. Dance. Fulfill your childhood dream of being a ballerina or just get down with your funky self and make up your own dance steps to your favorite music. Dance is a fun form of exercise that you can do in the privacy of your own home. If you don’t know how to dance, get some tips online. You can also rent or buy a DVD to help you learn.

Evening Routine

Getting things done in the evening or before bed will save you much time in the morning. Not only will your head be clearer, but it will save you from having to do lots of small tasks when you have little time.

21. Lay out clothes. Get your clothes ready for tomorrow by selecting and laying them out. This will save you time in the morning when you might not be as alert for making decisions or when you realize that shirt needed to be ironed.
22. Pack lunches. Prepare lunches for yourself and, if you have kids, for your children. An easy way to streamline lunch-packing is to use a system like the Japanese bento box or Laptop Lunches.
23. Pick up clutter. Clean up the shoes, dirty clothes, and various other stuff that gets left around the house so that you wake up to a clean house and don’t have to go searching for that second shoe. Follow these tips to declutter you house in just 15 minutes every day.
24. Wash dishes. After a satisfying dinner, the last thing you probably want to do is clean up the kitchen. However, taking care of this task in the evening will have your kitchen clean and ready for you to start breakfast the next morning.
25. Prepare dinner. Not the dinner you just ate, but get everything ready for tomorrow’s dinner. If you like crock pot cooking, get everything assembled in the evening, add it all to the crock pot in the morning, then you have dinner ready for you when you arrive home. Even without a crock pot, you can get veggies chopped and ingredients assembled so that dinner is ready for the making the next day.
26. To-do list. Write down reminders of what you need to do the next day. In the morning, you won’t need to search your sleep-addled brain for the tasks ahead of you.
27. Shower. If you don’t rely on your shower as a method of waking up, why not take it at night? Not having to shower in the morning will give you a good extra half hour for your morning routine.
28. Check email. Don’t leave this task for the morning when you have so many other things to do to get ready for your day. Take care of your email business, then walk away from your computer so you won’t be tempted to take time away from the rest of your evening routine.
29. Be ready to go. Put what you’ll need the next morning by the door so that you don’t have to go looking for your stuff. Keep bags, keys, backpacks, and whatever else you need to take with you ready to go.

Sleep and Waking

How you go to bed at night and get up in the morning will certainly affect how you begin your day. Follow these tips for getting a good night’s rest and waking up ready to greet the day.

30. Go to bed. Of course you are going to go to bed, but make sure you do it before you feel exhausted. Pushing yourself to stay up for the news or the end of a TV show means you are probably cheating yourself out of your much-needed sleep.
31. Get a good night’s rest. After a good sleep, you will feel much more energized and ready to start your day. Avoid caffeine and alcohol before bed, leave your worries behind you, and sip some chamomile tea. Here are more tips for how to ensure a great sleep.
32. Wake up earlier. Give yourself just 30 extra minutes in the morning and you will be amazed at how much more you can accomplish before starting your day. Many people snooze for at least this long, so just try getting out of bed instead.
33. Don’t snooze. You certainly wouldn’t want to purposely give yourself a poor night’s sleep, so why do you hit the snooze button in the morning? Snoozing guarantees that you will not be getting quality sleep during those last few minutes or hours of the morning. Make a change for a better start to your morning and skip the snooze.
34. Get a pleasant alarm. A jarring alarm might wake you up, but so does an air horn blast to the ear or a douse of icy water. Instead of waking up startled, try an alarm that wakes you up gently such as the Zen alarm clock. You may be surprised at how well it works to get you up in the morning–and it’s definitely a more calm way to do so.
35. Get an alarm that won’t let you sleep. Another great idea when it comes to alarms is using one that won’t let you sleep such as this light-producing alarm or these fun alarms from Japan. If you don’t want to shell out the money for a special alarm, try setting your radio alarm to talk radio.
36. Move the alarm. Don’t put your alarm next to your bed. In fact, put it as far away from your bed as you can. When your alarm goes off, you will have to get out of bed to turn it off, thereby making it easier for you to stay out of bed.
37. Sleep routine. Stick to a routine with consistent bed time and wake-up times. Consistently sleeping at the same time every night provides you with a better chance for a good night’s sleep. You may even discover that you begin waking up at the same time every morning without an alarm clock.
38. Just sleep enough. The range of sleep a person needs is highly individualized. Some people get by just fine with six hours a night while others need closer to nine. Find out how much sleep you really need. Give yourself a week to try this experiment, then once you know, set your sleep routine around the correct number of hours you need.
39. Get a dog. Any dog owner can tell you that there’s not much sleeping late in the mornings when you have a dog. As a puppy, they need to be taken outside immediately for potty time. As they get older, the routine of doggie breakfast and potty will become so ingrained that they will wake you up mercilessly with kisses or whines if you try to stay in bed for that extra sleep.

Wake Up Your Mind

Getting your body out of bed is half the battle. Waking up your mind so that you are focused and ready for your day is one of the best ways to jumpstart your day. Take these suggestions for ways to get your brain awake in the morning.

40. Shower. Take a refreshing shower first thing in the morning. Keeping the temperature moderate will get your blood flowing and wake up your mind. Learn how finishing your shower off with cold water benefits your health and well-being.
41. Write your goals. Take a few minutes to think about what you want to accomplish that day and write a list of your tasks or goals. These can be as simple as errands you need to run or a part of a larger life goal toward which you are working.
42. Read the newspaper. Take a few minutes to catch up on current events and wake up your mind. Some people enjoy opening the newspaper and scanning the news while they sip on a cup of coffee. Finish it off with the crossword puzzle and you’ll really have your brain working.
43. Get the news online. Another great way to keep updated is find your favorite online news source. If you are short on time in the morning, receiving a daily email with the news headlines gives you a brief, ready-made update. Many online sources offer an email option and will let you tailor which type of news headlines you receive.
44. Slow down. Start the morning slowly. Frantically rushing around to get everything done in time to leave the house not only starts your day off on an anxious note, it doesn’t give your mind time to wake up.
45. Read a book. In busy lives, it can be difficult to find time for quiet recreation. Give yourself 10 or 15 minutes to read a book or magazine each morning. You’ll start the day having already rewarded yourself.
46. Meditate. Take advantage of the peaceful quiet the morning can bring. Set aside a few minutes for quiet meditation. This can be as simple as sitting peacefully and becoming aware of your breathing and how your body feels. Read this blog post for how to dismiss distractions while you are learning to meditate.
47. Turn on the lights. Not just in the bedroom, but all over the house. Get out of bed and start turning on lights in every room. The extra light will trigger your natural circadian rhythm and help get your mind going.
48. Listen to a podcast. With so many free podcasts available, you can certainly find one that piques your interest. Whether you subscribe to a daily or weekly podcast, take advantage of the time while you are eating breakfast or getting dressed to listen to something on your favorite topic.
49. Journal. Whether you write your thoughts, dabble with poetry or haiku, or draw a picture, take a few minutes to document your thoughts. If you are more tech savvy or like to keep connected with remote friends and family, consider starting a blog. You can spend a few minutes in the morning typing your thoughts or updates on your life and sharing with those you know and love (and even a few people you don’t know).
50. Thank the universe. No matter how you thank the universe, be it through prayer or simply acknowledging the beauty of the sunrise, take a moment to be appreciative for the day ahead of you. Realizing that each day is a gift is a powerful way to jumpstart your day.

By Laura Milligan

Depending on where you live, shopping for eco-friendly items may be difficult. Residents in larger cities may find it’s too time consuming or tricky to track down special farmer’s markets, and those living in small towns don’t always have the same access to chic, environmentally friendly fashions that cities like San Francisco or New York offer. Internet shopping has been a popular way to find gifts and necessities for a while, and finding eco-friendly items online is getting even easier. Below is our list of 100 sites to find everything from organic baby food to rechargeable batteries to hybrid cars to organic vodka.

Fashion Finds Dressing eco-friendly no longer means wearing dowdy or rough hemp skirts and tunics. Look to these websites for beautiful clothing items, shoes and accessories, all with an eco conscience.

1. Beklina: Beklina is “a green boutique” that specializes in organic, sustainable, hemp, green and ethical clothing items and accessories. You’ll find a variety of fun going-out tops in bright colors, as well as neutral designs.
2. Greenloop: Shop for men’s and women’s clothing, as well as shoes, accessories and tote bags. Featured designers include Loomstate, Moonrise Jewelry, Tees for Change and more. Greenloop also offers special discounts, coupons and the opportunity to donate to the Project Green environmental awareness group.
3. Coco’s Shoppe: The eco boutique at Coco’s Shoppe has been featured in Lucky magazine and sells fun, adorable clothing, underwear, bags, and beauty items.
4. PlanetShoes.com: This site sells vegan shoes, and other animal-friendly and earth-friendly bags, slippers and shoes for women, men and kids.
5. BTC Elements: This site has clothing and accessories, as well as home items. Women will find tops, chic dresses, beautiful coats and even swimsuits. Men’s shirts are also sold here.
6. Patagonia: Patagonia’s dedication to the environment has helped launch several projects and campaigns besides producing eco-conscious clothing items and travel gear. The company supports a grants program, the 1% for the Planet Program, Common Threads Garment Recycling and others.
7. Fair Indigo: Find Fair Trade and organic clothing and accessories here.
8. Modify: You have two green choices at Modify: you can either shop ecofashion or shop vintage and feel good about supporting recyclable fashion. Modify also sells home decor and beauty items.
9. Earth & Wear: Search funky UK fashions like brightly colored hemp hi tops and wallets and organic t-shirts at Earth & Wear.
10. Green With Glamour: Read about green designers and meet celebs and featured guests who wear ecofriendly fashion while you shop for super stylish clothing items, home gifts and more.

Beauty Products Shop for organic and natural beauty products, sunscreen, makeup and more from these sites, where companies like Aveda use natural resources to power their facilities.

11. Beauty Gone Green: This site sells makeup, skin care items, aromatherapy and other beauty products from brands like Skinceuticals and Glominerals.
12. Green Spa Network: This site provides links and resources about “greening and sustainability for the spa community.” You can also “shop” for green spas near you.
13. Aveda: Aveda uses wind energy to offset 100% of the electricity used at their Minnesota-based plant, and the company has a long tradition of using environmentally friendly ingredients.
14. Drugstore.com: Drugstore.com features an entire shop for green and natural beauty products and personal care products.
15. Juice Beauty: Juice Beauty,”the organic solution,” makes all of its lip care, facial cleansers, sunscreens, and other items with certified organic ingredients.
16. Burt’s Bees: Burt’s Bees is more than just chapstick. Shop online for natural personal care items like anti-aging products, hair care items, sunscreen and baby items.
17. Weleda: The beauty and skin care line Weleda holds as its motto “in harmony with nature and the human being.” Weleda uses ingredients that are free of synthetic preservatives and come from organic and biodynamic sources.
18. Nude: The Nude natural skin care line includes products like age defense moisturizers, facial cleansers and travel items. All items are packaged in recyclable materials.
19. Village Green Market: This online store features brands like John Masters Organics, the River Soap Company, Tom’s of MAIne, Citrus Magic, Ecco Bella and other brands that produce “fine natural, organic, and environmentally preferable goods for you and your home.”

Baby Items Start your tot off early by wrapping him or her in chlorine-free diapers, buying organic baby foods and more.

21. KaiKids: Shop for bottles, pacifiers, bamboo fork and spoon sets, nursing pads, bibs, and other baby items that are made with non-toxic, organic or natural ingredients.
22. Seventh Generation: Shop for baby laundry detergent, chlorine-free training pants and chlorine-free baby wipes here.
23. Nature Boy and Girl: This company sells disposable diapers made of a corn-based material.
24. TenderCare Plus diapers: These diapers are made with unbleached materials from a sustainable, renewable Scandinavian forest.
25. Earth’s Best Organic baby foods: This company offers “the first complete line of organic food for infants.” You’ll find organic infant formula as well as snacks, dinners and baby body care products.
26. Terra Tees: Onesies and children’s t-shirts are made in the U.S.A. from 100% certified organic cotton. They are also sent in recycled packaging.
27. Baby Nut: Baby Nut sells organic baby clothes and natural products for babies and pregnant moms. The site also features an astrology section, special coupons, toys, and more.
28. Lola Babiez: This “eco-chic baby and nursing boutique” sells bottles, onesies, teethers, eco-friendly diapers and a lot more.
29. TaraLuna: TaraLuna sells organic and Fair Trade items, including child’s furniture and baby clothes.
30. Hazel Wood: Shop linens and bedding, toys, gifts and more for babies and children 0-6 years of age.
31. Mother Earth Nursery Designs: From baby carriers to burp cloths to shower gifts, this website sells natural and organic items for pregnant moms and babies.
32. Earth Mama Angel Baby Organics: Find gifts, personal care items and breastfeeding products at this organic site.

Toys and Gifts These websites offer eco-friendly gift solutions for all kinds of kids and sports fans.

33. Green Toys: This company website explains how their green toys help the environment, conserve energy and are made in and tested by U.S.A. facilities. Shop for tea sets, sand play sets and more.
34. Fat Brain Toys: Search for bamboo, organic, recycled and alternative-energy powered toys here.
35. Maple Landmark Woodcraft: Shop American-made wooden toys, gifts, ornaments and other products here.
36. Toxin Free Toys: Shop for natural and lead-free toys like bikes, baby bottles and more. The site also features a shopping guide to help you pick out toxin free toys in the store.
37. Fair Trade Sports: Fair Trade Sports sells sports jerseys, soccer balls, rugby balls, frisbees and other sports items that adhere to Fair Trade regulations.
38. Global Exchange Online Store: The items sold here are Fair Trade approved and range from bath and beauty gifts to Father’s Day presents to jewelry to books and movies to coffee and more.
39. Kate’s Caring Gifts: On this website, you’ll find gifts for the home, natural body care products, organic chocolates, natural pet care items, and more.
40. Northwest Nature Shop: Find educational toys, engineering sets, science kits, and games at this site, which donates 20% of sales to environmental and educational programs.

Food Who says you have to go to the grocery store or farmer’s market to find yummy organic and natural food products? Find seeds, fruits, trail mix, chocolate and other food products at these online stores.

41. Organic Kingdom: Food categories at this online store include snacks and treats, beans and grains, breads and cereals, pastas and noodles, personal care items, and more. There is also information about why eating organic is a smart choice.
42. Rock Creek Organics: Shop for organic nuts, flour and spreadables here.
43. True Foods Market: This online health foods grocery store sells lots of organic products too. You’ll also find recipe ideas and tips for eating right.
44. Organic Food Store Locator: Find an organic food store near your city by using this map.
45. Tengu Natural Foods: Shop for frozen food, herbal teas, natural sweeteners, pasta, soups, cereal, and Fair Trade coffee and tea at the Tengu Natural Foods store online.
46. The Natural Grocery Store: This UK-based online store sells Whole Earth products, spices and seasonings, canned fruit and vegetables, meats and meat alternatives, desserts and more.
47. Local Harvest: The Local Harvest community lets shoppers around the world order seeds, fruits, garden vegetables, dairy products, flowers, and other items from family farms.
48. Santos Natural Food Store: Find organic and natural food products from around the world, like coffee from South Australia.
49. Sun Ridge Farms: This award winning company sells organic trail mix, orzo, nuts and seeds, organic raisins and more.

Beverages Treat yourself to organic wine or vodka after browsing for more natural beverage products here.

51. Klean Kanteen: It’s up to you what you put inside these stainless steel canteens, but the bottle is more environmentally friendly than plastic.
52. Tru Organic Vodka: Browse the vodkas made from American wheat and packaged in eco-friendly bottles at this website.
53. The Organic Wine Company: Learn all about organic wines, join the wine club and shop for organic wines at this site.
54. Square One Organic Vodka: Square One is another company that manufactures organic vodka.

Household Items From pillows to home decor to furniture to laundry bags, you’ll find all kinds of attractive and practical environmentally-friendly home goods in this list.

55. Vivavi: Shop Vivavi for unique eco-friendly furniture, storage and shelving, lighting, and even pet items.
56. Design Public: Design Public is a popular eco-friendly brand that sells furniture, wall art, pillows, items for babies, college dorm accessories, home office designs and more.
57. Pacifica: Pacifica’s soy aromatherapy candles “are the cleanest burning soy candles available,” according to the company’s website.
58. Seventh Generation: Seventh Generation’s line of Free & Clear home cleaners are free of fragrances and dyes.
59. Keetsa Shop: Keetsa is a company that supports sustainability and produces home items like mattresses and pillows from recycled materials.
60. Natural Collection: Besides clothing and office supplies, the Natural Collection sells cleaning products and eco home items like laundry bags, art work and more.
61. Abundant Earth: From composters to furniture to clocks to air purifiers, Abundant Earth sells all kinds of neat household items and contributes to environmental groups and causes.
62. Ethical Superstore: Cleaning and Household: Find eco-friendly cleaning products and laundry items here.
63. It Must Be Green: Shop for unique energy saving items here, like a green log maker, a can crusher and an eco-friendly air purifier.
64. Recycle Store: Household: All of the items sold here have been recycled. Products include furniture, picture frames, storage containers and dishes.

Cars/Automotive Supplies Search for hybrid cars and other alternative vehicles on these websites.

65. Green Car Depot: This website lets you search by hybrid, propane, biodiesel/diesel, commercial and fleet, ethanol, hydrogen and other green types.
66. HybridCars.com: Learn about industry news and trends, and browse hybrid SUVs, vans, sedans and other vehicles.
67. SoulTek.com: This site is all about hybrids, and you can find buying information and pictures of all types of hybrid vehicles.
68. ECAR Center: This company “is a ‘one-stop shop’ for all automotive dismantling and recycling operations and provides comprehensive and up-to-date environmental compliance assistance” for visitors.

Appliances Appliances like tankless water heaters and solar powered phone chargers will save you money on electricity bills and are good for the environment.

69. Global Towne Tankless Water Heaters: Tankless water heaters like this one can reward buyers with up to 50% in energy savings.
70. Lowe’s Energy Star Appliance: This guide helps buyers find Energy Star appliances like refrigerators, dishwashers and washing machines.
71. The Alternative Energy Store: Find hydropower, solar power, solar heating and other alternative energy-powered appliances and products here.
72. The Solar Power Store: Shop for solar powered cell phone charges, solar panels and more from this online store.

Tech Stuff From batteries to radios to computers, find recycled and eco-friendly tech stuff here.

73. Clean Air Shop: This blog sponsors a shop for energy efficient lighting products, solar ovens, thermostats, electricity meters, batteries and other tools that will help you save money and the environment.
74. RE-PC Online Store: This online store works through ebay, and you can search for recycled game cartridges, cables, input devices, laptops and more.
75. Green cell phone carriers: This About.com article lists several cell phone carriers that make donations to environmental groups, offer tree-free billing and use environmentally-friendly wrapping.
76. HYmini: This portable wind-powered tool charges your iPod, cell phones, digital cameras and mp3 players.
77. GreenBatteries.com: Turn to this site when you’re looking for rechargeable, reusable batteries and battery chargers.
78. Wind Up phone charger: This manual tool is lightweight and doesn’t require electricity.
79. GreenPrint: Shop for eco-conscious software here and find different versions of a product that eliminates paper wasting when you print.
80. BuildingGreen.com: This sustainable building and design group also features a product listings page where you can shop for windows, decking, lighting, electrical materials, HVAC systems and other green materials.

Gardening and Outdoor Weed out your supply of toxic pesticides and fertilizers and turn to these organic gardening goods and supply stores for a more natural approach to gardening and outdoor recreation.

81. Recycle Store: Garden and Yard: The California Integrated Waste Management Board’s Recycle Store sells recycled bird houses, BBQ systems, garden chairs and other outdoor items.
82. Real Goods: Find showerheads, bedding, composting systems, aeromatic ovens, camping supplies and other products from this solar living site.
83. Extremely Green: This fun site specializes in organic gardening supplies like fertilizers, fungicides, grass seed and pruners, but you’ll also find gardening books and unique pest control solutions.
84. GTC Hydroponics: This site shows visitors how to master container gardening the organic way. You can also shop for fertilizers, soil and more.
85. Eco-Gardening.com: Find sleek gardening and yard products at this site, including arbors and trellises, outdoor furniture, grills, garden lighting and composters.
86. The Urban Garden: The recycled and eco-friendly garden shop at The Urban Garden sells gardening supplies, composters, decking, window boxes and more.
87. The Organic Gardening Catalogue: This website sells everything an organic gardener needs, from seeds to weed killers to soil and plant care to books about organic gardening.
88. Planet Natural: This company has been selling earth friendly gardening items like seeds, soil test kits, pest control systems, fertilizer and compost bins since 1991.
89. Greta’s Organic Gardens: Greta’s Organic Gardens is located in Gloucester, Ontario, and visitors to the site can shop for organic seeds, vegetables and plants like corn, cucumbers, squash, tomatoes, grains and more.
90. Clean Air Gardening: Use this site to shop for “environmentally friendly lawn and garden supplies,” including pest control, garden gnomes, electric mowers, oxygenating watering cans and a lot more. You can search by category or by price range.

Miscellaneous The websites in this list sell all sorts of green gifts in one spot, making it easy to shop for eco-conscious promotional materials, office supplies, furniture, jewelry, pet items and more.

91. GreenandMore.com: This website sells all kinds of eco-friendly products, from vacuum cleaners to kitchen supplies to battery chargers to baby items.
92. Resource Revival: Materials from recycled bicycles are turned into promotional items and gifts on this website.
93. BuyGreen.com: This fun-to-use website lets you shop in three main categories: Consumer, Commercial, and Gifts. Within those categories, browse products for your family, home decorating, leisure, office supplies, building materials and more.
94. Green Gift Guide: Shop for jewelry, pet items, garden and outdoor supplies, business gifts, toys, furniture and more on this website which finds the best green gifts on the web.
95. Buying Green Power: The U.S. Department of Energy helps Americans find out if they can buy green power in their state with this helpful tool.
96. Co-op America: This page lists twelve things you should always buy green and directs you to places where you can find items like appliances, showerheads, coffee, clothes and more that are eco-friendly.
97. Green People: Green People claims to be the “world’s largest directory of eco-friendly and holistic health products.” Search for pet supplies, beauty products, home and garden items and more.
98. Terra Pass Green Store: Terra Pass urges everyone to “restore the balance.” The Green store sells toys, energy saving products, chargers and other items. You can also use the site to calculate your footprint and learn about environmental projects.
99. Buy Green Guides: TreeHugger’s guides show you where to buy furniture, bikes, jeans, shoes and other products.
100. The Green Guide: The Green Guide appears on the National Geographic website and directs visitors to sites for buying green accessories, clothing, food and drinks, electronics, home items, bedding, personal care items and much more.

By Christina Laun

In an ideal world, you’d be able to balance work, family, friends, personal time, fitness and everything else in your life without ever breaking a sweat. In reality, sleeping with your Blackberry, trying to put on makeup in the car and never quite getting enough sleep is more of the norm. What you may not realize is that it truly doesn’t have to be. Even if your life feels like it doesn’t have any place where things can give, the reality is that if you want to maintain your health and not die young from stress-related illnesses, there has to be. Here are a few ways you can start scaling down your life, to give you more time to spend with family or doing all the things you love but don’t have time for.

General

Get some general tips on cutting back on things in your life with these helpful pointers.

1. Identify what’s really important to you. Chances are good that there are things in your life that you’re committed to or involved in that you really don’t have a true attachment or investment in doing. Evaluate your priorities and determine what things can fall by the wayside and what things you want to bring to the forefront in your life.
2. Appreciate simple things. It’s easy to get caught up in all the complications in your life, sometimes so much so that you forget to take time, slow down and appreciate all the little things that make your life great. Whether it’s finding a close parking spot or discovering a new favorite restaurant, make sure your life is designed to allow you to appreciate every good thing that comes your way, not just the big stuff.
3. Do what you love. Whether you choose to apply this to what you do for a living or just what you do on the weekend, it’s a key element to simplifying and paring down your life. By putting the focus on doing things that you love instead of drudging through things you hate, you’ll enjoy life more, be happier and much less stressed. Do your best to think of creative ways to make even the most painful tasks more bearable by integrating elements of things you love into them.
4. Make your time count. Perhaps one of the easiest ways to simplify your life and to have more time to spend doing things you want to do is to make the time you spend on anything, whether it’s with the kids or at work, count. If you’re present, concentrating on your tasks and getting the most out of the situation you’ll be able to finish more quickly or enjoy what you’re doing more fully.
5. Learn what’s enough. If you’re constantly in a quest for perfection you’re likely putting in more work, effort, time and important parts of your life into things that really could get by with less. Figure out what is good enough to get the job done but doesn’t leave you up all night, pulling out your hair and stressing over it.
6. Live deliberately. Once you realize that no one is in charge of your life except for you, then you’re ready to get the most out of every situation that’s presented to you. Make choices that help you find the greatest amount of happiness and that eliminate all the things that don’t really matter to you so you’ll have more time for the things that do.
7. Create routines. If you find getting ready in the morning is an uphill battle, you can help to streamline and scale back your life by creating routines. These will save you time, help reduce stress, and won’t leave you running around trying to get things together at the last minute.
8. Make time to do nothing at all. For many workaholics, sitting around doing nothing can be a hard thing to accomplish. But if you want to scale back, it can be just the thing to get you started. Time to rest and relax is important so don’t let the tasks in your life eat into it.
9. Turn off the TV. Studies have shown that most homes have more TV than people and that families spend hours upon hours watching television each day. While watching TV is fine, it also can eat into time that could be better spent talking, playing games or going for a walk with your family. Get the most out the time your family spends at home together by turning off the TV, even if it’s only for a few nights a week.
10. Slow down. Most people spend a good part of their day and their lives rushing from one place to another, trying to cram in as much as possible in one day. Besides not being healthy, this isn’t really fun either. Scale back by making sure your day includes a little bit of time to slow down, relax and simply be you.
11. Get rid of time wasters. The Internet is a great place to get all kinds of things done quickly and easily, but it’s also full of millions of great distractions. This, along with the dozens of other distractions that tempt us each day, can make getting the stuff we actually need to get done impossible. Try getting rid of a few of these time wasters. You’ll get more done, and feel much less stressed.
12. Stay organized. Want to scale down your life? Take the first step and get yourself organized. By knowing where things are and having a place for things at home and work you’ll save time, effort and stress and make it easier to figure out what’s important and what can get pushed aside.
13. Take control. You can’t scale back if you let others make decisions about your life, so step up and take control of everything that’s going on. When you’re the boss you’ll be able to figure out what really matters and cut out what doesn’t.
14. Ask for help if you need it. You don’t have to go through life trying to do everything on your own. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t be too proud to ask for help. It can be a great way to get things under control without stretching yourself too thin.
15. Prioritize. Figuring out what is most important to you in your life is a big part of how you can pare things down. Spend more time doing the things that matter most, then let the rest get done if you have time. Don’t spend hours on tasks that don’t really matter to you when you could be doing things that do like spending time with your family.

Around the House

Having a messy, cluttered home can be reflected in the rest of your life. Here are some ways to clean out and minimalize your home.

16. Clear out the clutter. Do you really need all the stuff that’s filling up your closets, drawers and garage? Spend less time caring for things you don’t need and make your home and life simpler by getting rid of it all.
17. Get a smaller house. While having a lot of space is nice, it also requires you to spend more time cleaning, maintaining, heating and financing it. If you have more space than you need, consider getting a smaller home or apartment. It’ll save you money and time in the end and make your life simpler.
18. Keep only the essentials. If you’re like most people, your kitchen is full of all kinds of specialty gadgets that you rarely use. If you don’t use it regularly, there probably isn’t much reason to have it. Pare down the things around your home to the stuff you actually need, want and care about.
19. Find a place for things. Save yourself time and make your days simpler by creating a place for everything in your home.
20. Realize that even free things come at a price. Who would turn down an offer for a free printer or a complimentary t-shirt? While these things may not cost you anything out of pocket, they do cost you your space. Before accepting free things, determine if you really need them or if they’ll just be something else to dust.
21. Understand that bigger isn’t always better. SUVs, big houses, big TVs and super sized meals are all parts of the American lifestyle. But bigger things aren’t always better. Big things cost more, take up more space and sometimes cause you to waste what you can’t use. Simplify your life by buying things that fit the size of your life.
22. Borrow, don’t buy. You can scale down your budget and the amount of things around your house by borrowing or renting items instead of buying them if you only plan on using them for a short time.
23. Make your home a sanctuary. When your home is a relaxing, ordered place to be you’ll be happier and more able to de-stress no matter what your day has been like.
24. Go low maintenance. You may love fine silks and suedes but these fabrics and others like them can be difficult to clean and maintain. Try buying clothes and furniture that can be easily cleaned and maintained so you’ll be able to spend less time and money caring for them.
25. Buy classics. Save time and make life simpler by buying household items that are classic in design. Trendy items may be cooler in the short term, but you’ll get more mileage out of items that are designed to be stylish until they wear out or break.
26. Don’t get attached. If you’re looking to pare down your things, try not to get too attached to household items. While some things may carry memories, you may not always need to hold on to them to value those memories.
27. Simplify your wardrobe. Unless you’re working at a fashion magazine you likely don’t need a closet that’s overflowing with clothes. Create a basic wardrobe that you can work around. It’ll save you time getting dressed in the morning and space storing clothes.
28. Create a simple yard. Few people love doing yard work. By keeping your yard simple, you’ll be able to spend less time weeding, mowing and planting and still have a yard that looks presentable.
29. Stay on top of messes. Waiting days to do the dishes or letting papers pile up on your desk may seem like it’s saving you time, but in the long run it can make things harder for you. Spend a few minutes cleaning up each evening before you go to bed so things don’t pile up.
30. Minimize the time it takes to clean. One way to keep your cleaning time to a minimum is to create a cleaning schedule and process that minimizes that time you spend working. Try vacuuming all at once or cleaning one room each day.

At Work

You spend hours at work each week, so finding ways to scale back and simplify it are important. Here are a few ideas to get started with.

31. Work smart. Spend less time at work by streamlining your processes. You’ll get less done in more time and be much less stressed.
32. Manage your time. If you’ve got a lot on your plate, make time management a priority. Learn what works best for you and make it work to your advantage.
33. Make the most of your commute. If you’re stuck on the train for an hour each morning, don’t spend your time just idly watching the scenery. Catch up on emails, write letters, read a book, study or anything else you are interested in doing.
34. Don’t take on more than you can reasonably do. A new project may seem like the ticket to getting recognition around the office, but if you’re already swamped don’t take on more work. Pare down your work schedule to what you can reasonably do in a given time period.
35. De-stress. Scale down your busy work day by allowing yourself time throughout the day to de-stress and relax so you don’t get overwhelmed.
36. Assess career goals. It can be easy to get caught up working at a job simply because it pays the bills or because it doesn’t give you time to think about getting another one. Take a step back and assess if all the hard work you’re putting in at your current job really meets your ultimate goals. If not, think about cutting back on hours, working towards a job you really want, or finding a different job altogether.
37. Create systems. You’ll save time and scale back the hours you’ll be spending at work by creating simple systems for getting things done at work. Have specific times to reply to emails, organizers on your desk, or anything else you need to keep things moving smoothly.
38. Take breaks. Working nonstop at your desk can be overwhelming and can actually make you less productive. Make sure to take breaks throughout the day to keep you fresh and ready to tackle anything that comes your way.
39. Say no. You don’t always have to say yes to any projects or tasks that come your way. If you’re spending too much time at work, just say no if someone asks you to stay late or take on more work so you can maintain a balance in your life.
40. Unplug. The constant influx of email, instant messages and other information can wreck havoc on your workday productivity. If you can, unplug for a little bit each day to keep constant contact from taking up all your time.
41. Take tasks one at a time. Make things simpler when you’re working by doing one thing at a time instead of trying to multi-task doing a million things at once. You’re less likely to get off track and you can check things off as you accomplish them.
42. Live close to work. If you can, cut out the commute by living nearby your workplace. It’ll save you time and money and make your day less stressful overall.
43. Clear off your desk. There’s nothing that will stress you out quite like clutter. Keep your desk clear of random clutter. It will be easier to find what you need and keep you from feeling overwhelmed.
44. Simplify your tools. Computer apps and Web tools can be great ways to make things quicker and easier, but you may need to evaluate if these tools are really making your life easier. Find out what tools you truly need to do your job and eliminate the rest.
45. Reduce distractions. Life is always full of distractions and work is no exception. Try to pare down the number of things that are able to distract you on a daily basis so you can get your work done and go home on time.
46. Set boundaries. If you’re not careful, work can overwhelm your life. Set hours when you’re available and when you’re not. Everyone deserves to have a personal life and ensure your work isn’t stealing yours.

Personal Life

Make your personal life easier and less messy with these tips.

47. Merge personal and work calendars. Save yourself the time of switching between two calendars and possibly double booking yourself by keeping your personal and professional calendars synced.
48. Make time to spend alone with a spouse. Spending time with those that you love is an incredibly important part of building a healthy relationship and staying happy. Make this a big priority in your life and don’t let work or school overtake it.
49. Let things go. You could spend the rest of your life being mad at a spouse, friend or family member for some wrong they’ve done against you. Learn to let little offenses go and you’ll be less stressed and happier.
50. Enjoy quiet time. Everyone needs some time just to have quiet to read books, do a crossword or just enjoy doing nothing. Try to simplify your life by incorporating a little quiet in each day.
51. Get active. You’ll feel better and maybe even look better too if you use a little of your free time to get up and move around whether you’re working out or just doing work around the house.
52. Evaluate your commitments. Is your dedication to organizations, sports or hobbies stealing time away from things that are more important to you? Take a look at where you’re spending your time and figure out if it’s prioritized according.
53. Be present. Make the time you spend with a spouse or other loved ones count by being fully present when you’re together. Filter out all those thoughts about things you have to do at work or around the house and truly enjoy the moment.
54. Enjoy small things. Making yourself happier and simplifying your life doesn’t always have to be about the big things. Enjoy a long bath, walk around the blog or the smell of fresh sheets on your bed.
55. Carry around less stuff. While women with huge purses may be more guilty of this, men with huge wallets and addictions to technology may also want to consider paring down what they bring with them each day. Bringing less with you means less to worry about and less weight to lug around.
56. Express yourself. Whether you love to write, paint, garden or any other hobby make sure you have time to express yourself creatively especially if this is an important priority for you.
57. Stop trying to keep up with the Joneses. Expensive purses, new cars and the latest technology may be nice, but they likely won’t buy you any lasting happiness. Letting this desire to keep up in material processions go will make your life simpler and maybe even happier.
58. Try something new. Keep your life new and exciting by trying out new things every once in awhile. Whether its sampling an exotic food or running in a marathon, these simple new experiences can truly enrich your life.
59. Indulge in small luxuries. You don’t always have to buy big or expensive things to make yourself feel pampered. Treating yourself to a fancy coffee or a favorite dessert is a great, simple way to make yourself happy.

Kids

Having kids can make everything chaotic and time-consuming. Here are some tips for scaling down life with kids to the basics.

60. Help kids become self-sufficient. Taking the time to do every little thing for your kids can eat up a lot of your day. Help kids learn to do little things like get dressed, brush their teeth and get ready for school on their own. This will save you time and give your kids a sense of accomplishment.
61. Make clean up easy. With kids, toys are going to be lying around no matter what. Make clean up a cinch by keeping organization and storage simple. It’ll save you time in cleanup and keep your home clutter free.
62. Prep the night before. Don’t make mornings a hectic experience. Scale down by getting lunches together the night before, laying out clothes and other tasks that can save you loads of time in the morning.
63. Don’t over schedule. It’s natural to want to enable children to pursue all their interests but when there are too many you can spend far too much time shuttling kids to and from lessons and practices. Scale down to the things they love the most.
64. Set aside time for each child. Make sure each of your children feel special and valued by you by setting aside time to spend alone with each one.
65. Come prepared. Parents will quickly learn that it pays to come prepared for any situation. Save yourself hassle by creating kits that allow you to meet the majority of needs your kids will have.
66. Spend less, do more. You don’t need to take your kids out for a night on the town to have a good time. Arrange times to play games or watch a favorite family-friendly movie together. It can be just as fun at a fraction of the cost.
67. Create routines. You can cut back on the time it takes to get kids ready for bed or off to school if you create a routine. Kids will learn what to expect and things will be streamlined and easier for everyone involved.
68. Dress kids simply. Kids grow out of clothes so fast that there’s no sense in buying them complicated or fancy outfits. Get kids simple clothes that they can mix and match, so they can dress themselves.
69. Celebrate traditions. Make the time you spend with your children special and memorable by paring down the holidays to traditions that truly matter to you. Whether it’s putting up a Christmas tree or baking special holiday treats, make the holidays super special for your children.

Finances

A lot of time is spent on paying bills, saving and worrying over finances. Make things a little simpler with these tips.

70. Cut up some credit cards. Do you have more credit cards than can even fit inside your wallet? Simplify your finances by only keeping the cards that you use the most and getting rid of the rest.
71. Decide what expenditures are really needs. Chances are good that you don’t really need that cup of coffee and a bagel on your way to work each day. Figure out little ways that you can cut back on your spending and focus on the expenses that are really needs, not just conveniences.
72. Trim the fat. Your budget is probably full of bloated expenses that you could cut out if you took the time to. Get rid of memberships you’re not using, subscriptions to magazines you don’t read and anything else that’s unnecessarily eating up your cash.
73. Buy on need. Stores are set up to entice you to buy all kinds of things you don’t really need. Try to start only buying things that you truly need. It might be challenging but you’ll have loads of savings to show for it in the end.
74. Stop shopping. Shopping may be a fun way to spend an afternoon and a great way to bond with friends, cheer yourself up after a bad day or just pass the time, but can be tough on your wallet. Cut back on the spending so less stuff is coming into your home and more money is staying in your accounts.
75. Eliminate debt. Before you start making any financial decisions, come up with a plan to eliminate your debt. You may only be able to pay a little bit each month, but that little bit moves you closer and closer to getting rid of the burden od debt and making your life simpler.
76. Protect your future. Take a big weight off of your shoulders by ensuring that you look out for your future when you’re doing financial planning. Start a retirement fund or just start saving and you’ll thank yourself in the long run.
77. Live within your means. Keeping up with friends that are big spenders can be a tempting and easy thing to do but if you’re living outside your means you’ll regret it in the long run. Keep things simple by saving up for indulgent purchases and not buying things you can’t afford.
78. Be frugal. Being frugal doesn’t mean you have to give up everything, but it does mean scaling down your spending and helping yourself save whenever you can.
79. Try living without a car. With gas prices at an all time high, not to mention insurance and maintenance fees, having a car can be expensive. If you can get by without a car, try it. It will save you money and it’s good for the environment too.
80. Buy things that are high quality. While cheap might seem better in the short term, the reality is that money is better spent on a high quality item that will last longer and need fewer repairs. Simplify your life by looking for quality, not just the price tag.
81. Keep track of your expenses. Don’t just assume that your credit card statement is in order or that you’re spending a normal amount each month on food and gas. Keep track so you’ll know where every dollar went and if you’re well over budget on expenses.
82. Set up automatic bill payments. Save yourself the trouble of mailing bills each month. Set up automatic payments for credit cards and utilities and have your statements sent to your inbox instead of your mailbox.
83. Consolidate your accounts. If you’ve got accounts at multiple banks you can save some time and effort by combining them into one account.
84. Use direct deposit whenever possible. Don’t make unnecessary trips to the bank every time you get your paycheck. If your work offers direct deposit take advantage of it to save yourself time and make sure you get your funds right away.
85. File efficiently. Don’t let your financial records pile up on your desk. Set up a system to put them away once a week or at the end of the month. This way you’ll never get too far behind and you’ll always be able to find what you need.
86. Use online account management tools. The Internet makes it easy to keep track of your finances. Use online tools to track investment performance, write checks, transfer funds and much more so you almost never have to go to the bank.
87. Keep materials together. When it comes tax time you can be stuck hunting around for the records you need if you don’t keep them in order. Ensure your life is simple and stressed is minimized by keeping all your financial records in one safe, secure and organized place.

Health

Make taking care of yourself a simple and rewarding task by using some of these suggestions.

88. Slow down and enjoy your meals. Eating can be a major pleasure in life and a simple one that you can enjoy if you take the time. Slow down and savor each of your meals. You’re likely to eat less and you’ll get a chance to relax.
89. Make workouts fun. Want to make working out simpler? Make it fun for yourself. Find a partner, make a great workout mix, or workout during your favorite TV show so you can watch and work.
90. Eat healthier. What could be simpler than eating basic fruits and veggies? Make these a major part of your diet for a scaled down and simple way to stay healthy.
91. Sleep. Most people aren’t getting nearly enough sleep. Scale down on all the distractions that steal away from the time you should be sleeping and put that time towards getting some extra z’s.
92. Do double duty on fitness. Not all workouts have to happen in the gym. Working around the house and doing yard work can also be a workout. Instead of going to the gym, tackle your project of cleaning out the garage and you’ll get two things done at once.
93. Meditate. Nothing could be simpler or more scaled down than meditation. If you’re feeling things are too hectic or overwhelming take some time to meditate and regain your zen.
94. Get rid of the workout equipment. Do you really use that treadmill that’s taking up a whole room in your house? Get rid of the workout equipment you don’t need and use your own body as a workout tool through running, playing sports and simple exercises.
95. Cook simple meals. Don’t make cooking at home a huge deal. You can make simple, healthy meals without investing too much time and effort.
96. Get outside. Getting outside can make you feel good both physically and mentally, so make time to get some rays of sun for at least a few minutes each day.
97. Cut back on drinking. Scale down the partying by drinking less. You’ll feel better and likely have a lot more money in your wallet after the weekend.
98. Pay attention to your mental health. It’s easy to ignore mental health but it can have a big impact on pretty much everything in your life. Don’t just take care of your body, but your mind as well.
99. Stop worrying. Worrying about things isn’t going to make them go away or even solve them, so give your brain a break from the worry and take things as they come.
100. Stay in motion. You can burn loads of extra calories by staying in motion as much as you can during the day. Don’t just slump on the couch when you get home, take a walk, clean your house or play with your dog.

By Christina Laun

Driving a car isn’t going to get cheaper anytime soon, thanks to rising gas prices and an uncertain economy. So if you’re in the market for a new vehicle, make sure to do your research before taking the plunge. Whether you’re looking for a car that can help you get more miles to the gallon or for a luxury vehicle to impress the ladies, you can find help in choosing a car that’s right for you with these resources we’ve compiled.

Online Car Sales and Classifieds

Nowadays you don’t even have to leave your house to browse cars for sale in your area. Check out these resources to see what deals are out there.

1. Auto Explosion: Despite the unfortunate name choice of this site, it is a great place to find classified ads for used cars and trucks and RVs and motorcycles if you’re interested. If you don’t see what you’re looking for today, try placing a wanted car ad to see if anyone out there might be able to make you a deal.
2. AutoHopper: This site features a wide variety of ads for both new and used cars. You’ll find everything from small sedans to full size SUVs that can fit your needs and your budget.
3. CarMax: CarMax is one of the most popular places to buy new and used cars online. Visitors to the site can browse through over 25,000 cars to find the one that’s right for them. Better yet, the company will ship most cars to the CarMax location nearest you and you’ll get a 5-day money back guarantee in case you change your mind.
4. AutoTrader.com: This site is home to over 3 million new, used and certified cars that you can browse through. With so many to choose from, there’s bound to be something that will suit your needs and your wallet. You’ll also find tools to research and co