Simple changes can help make an overall difference. Is your health and future worth it? What if you have little ones around? What are you doing to help their future?
We are not extreme, the Tiars. We just want to make sure that our kids are educated, safe, and that they have a sustainable environment for their future. We have incorporated as we have learned and do the best that we can as often as we can. We don’t drive hybrids, we don’t have solar (yet), eat completely vegan, organic diets (obviously) and we aren’t draped in organic clothing. We DO compost, attempt to garden, clean with safe green products, recycle and REUSE as much as possible (I have turned into my grandmother washing and reusing plastic utensils and baggies), buy secondhand if we can, use personal products that are not ridden with chemicals (mostly), and try our best to incorporate new green practices where we can.
The products that we carry in the store – well, we have used or currently use a LOT of them. So here are my top 5 money saving products….and it is hard to only pick 5.
-Charlie’s Soap: I love their laundry soda and their all purpose cleaner. The all purpose cleaner work on everything including stains on clothes. I like it so much that we started selling it by the gallon for those that will use a lot of it. The laundry soap is 15.49 for 80 loads! It lasts forever! It is hypo-allergenic, non toxic and biodegradable and leaves NO residue on your clothes like other detergents.
-Baggie Dryer: I started washing baggies a while ago, especially after Lola begged and begged for the Hello Kitty ones. I hung them over washed wine glasses or utensils in the dish rack. NOTHING compares to the baggie dryer. I can’t explain it – but it rocks! No corners stuck together and they dry quickly. It doesn’t take up any room and you can wash a bunch at a time!
-Chico bag/Tucker bag: They are reusable grocery bags. I forget my bags – a lot. Sometimes I just carry and I have even punished myself with having to load and unload a cart full of groceries into my car and then into my home, hoping that it would instill never to forget my bags again. These bags are awesome! They fold into themselves and can be thrown right back into my purse. Plus, they are colorful and fun! I know you have to buy them, but they pay for themselves! I promise! Raley’s will give you 5 cents per bag and Winco will give you 6! It adds up. I always bring more that I think I will use – and always use them all.
-Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap: If you have never heard of it, you should try it. We buy it by the gallon (EcoReno can for you too!) We have it in our hand soap dispensers, shower, and laundry room. It is so safe – you can eat it! I do not recommend for floors as it leaves a residue. But those stinky pet and kid odors? It is WONDERFUL! I dilute with warm water and use on carpet and upholstery. It is the BEST shave gel ever! Marc even shaves his head with it. Camp? The peppermint is perfect for showering, dishes, and brushing your teeth! Yep, teeth.
-Diva Cup: Sorry for you gentleman out there. I struggled with #5, but I really feel that this is one of my best money saving items! I have written about it before (link) so I will spare you the details again here…..but I can’t emphasize it enough. A menstrual cycle can run a girl up to $30 a month. I have paid for my Diva Cup and still going strong!
It was hard to pick 5. Because I LOVE my water bottles, I want a bamboo utensil set and the ‘I’m not a paper cup” Cup would have made me a lot happier than the disposable cup that I got at Bibo this morning. I even think that my soy chai latte would tasted better.
