I’m in the market for another car. Our family just has one, and it’s a trouble maker. It’s an extended length SUV (there are six of us, so we need lots of room) that gets somewhere around 16mpg. That’s not exactly economical. Since I’ve started working an hour away from home, that’s about 140 miles I put on that truck each day.

Not only does that burn a hole in our bank account, but it also is a problem with gas and oil usage, as well as emissions. So I’m on a mission to find a car that meets two basic criteria. First of all, it needs to be cheap. In this country’s economic condition, money doesn’t buy what it used to. As a result, I’m looking for a used automobile…something someone has taken care of, and that fits into my budget.

Another criteria is gas mileage. I want to use less gas for the practicality of our bank account, and for the responsibility of using less fossil fuels to get where I need to go. There are plenty of cars out there that get 30+ miles per gallon, but not all of them are affordable.

If you are in a similar situation, do some research online. I’ve found that there are several cars that get good gas mileage, and that typically cost less than $10,000. The only problem is that these cars might have been driven to death, been in an accident, or had some flood damage. None of these things mean the car isn’t worth looking at, but it’s something to consider.

Sometimes, finding an environmentally responsible ride at an economically responsible price is hard. Just do your research and keep your eyes open for deals. I haven’t chosen mine yet, but I might soon.

This latest natural disaster — that is still going on right now…oil pouring into the Gulf of Mexico — has really got me thinking about energy usage and alternative forms of energy. Face it people, our government is not going to lift a finger to fix our dependence on oil, even though it’s within their power to get the ball rolling.

Maybe a grassroots movement is in order? Maybe it’s time we take matters into our own hands, and, on an individual basis, say “Enough.” Most of us can’t shut ourselves off from oil and electricity and such all at once, but we can ease our way into it. For example, I’m a computer guy, and I would love to have a laptop that I don’t have to plug into the wall and charge every day. If it ran off of some kind of natural, renewable energy (solar power, wind, MEG, etc.), that would just be cool. Useful, too, as a first step to energy independence.

If you want to get started experimenting with alternative, renewable power in your own life, I recommend starting out with the Earth4Energy training course. If you aren’t familiar with it, it’s a course to teach you how to build your own solar panels and wind turbines so you can generate your own electricity.

Wouldn’t that be handy? Sure, it wouldn’t solve our dependence on oil, but it’s a start. It’s a personal start…a step that you take to help our planet heal. That’s really what this is all about, after all. We are screwing up our home, and it’s about time that we fix it.

If you want to learn a little more, download this HD video preview of what you’ll learn with the training:

Earth4Energy HD Preview (around 139MB, so be ready for a long download).

Be sure and right click on the link, then select “Save As…” since it’s a large video file.

When you’re ready to learn a little more, or purchase the training kit, just click here:

Earth4Energy

Heal the planet, one person at a time.

When things are tough for you economically, it’s important to pay attention to your monthly budget. We all have bills to pay — some are must-haves, and some items are things we like to have and want to pay for. Among those things, we have fixed and variable spending items.

The key is to keeping your monthly spending down is to focus on the variable cost items in your budget. If you can’t cut out things like rent or your mortgage, or your cell phone bill if you have to have one, then you need to look for other ways to spend less each month.

At the time of this writing, things are tough. Money is tight, so the budget needs to follow suit. Take a look at your own monthly budget and try to find ways to slim down your variable costs. Here are some areas you can start looking to cut down:

• Electricity – We can use less of this each day and have a smaller electricity bill each month. Reduce your overall usage by doing simple things like turning out a light when you’re not using it. Apply this over the whole household, and you might see some significant usage reduction. You can also use a fan instead of the central air conditioning, especially if you only need to cool down one room.
• Water – Take shorter showers, consolidate laundry, and don’t leave the faucet running when shaving your face (guys) or brushing your teeth (everyone). Reduce usage, and you’ll spend less.
• Groceries – The bigger your family, the more food it will eat. But you can still cut your budget down by shopping smartly. Part of this savings equation is also food preparation. For example, dried beans in a bag cost less per pound than canned beans (and they don’t have salt or preservatives in them, either). Buy in bulk when you can, and watch how much something costs. To keep costs down, buy cheese in blocks instead of pre-shreaded, boil eggs for cheap, protein-rich snacks, and cut up your own pineapple instead of buying it in a can. Look at how you eat and prepare food, find some diet staples (ex. Japanese rice in bulk), and work to cut your food budget down while still eating heartily.
• Entertainment – We all need to have fun to stay sane in this world. Stress is all around us, and if we don’t unwind, we may be headed right for some health problems. This will be hard to cut, but try to focus on the most entertainment hours per dollar. Rent movies instead of going to a movie. Read a book at home, get some exercise, watch movies on TV, learn how to build a guitar… The point is to look for ways to have fun and unwind without spending a ton of money. Entertainment doesn’t always have to be acquired at a premium price.

There are many ways we all can reduce our spending each month so that we have less stress, a more secure financial position, and reduce wasteful usage. Take a look at your own budget and find ways to cut down. Look for alternatives to what you normally do, and you may find a pleasant cash cushion after a few months. Then you’ll be able to breathe easier in these financially tough times.

Anyone who has a garden, or a small scale farm, knows that you’re going to have extra food. What do you do with all that extra produce? Yes, you can give it away. There is another alternative, however. I found this great article detailing 11 different things you can do with a bountiful harvest of apples. Check it out. You might like some of these.

How to Use a Bounty of Apples

Organic Farming Vs Conventional Farming
By Richard Murray

Organic Farming is at a Crossroads

Organic, holistic, natural, back to the earth, and homesteading, are all disciplines of agriculture that are growing in popularity each day. People all over the world are extremely concerned about our environment especially as how it relates as to what we put into our bodies and also how it affects our earth and our lives.

Agribusiness and the multinational food producers over the years have done an excellent job of providing substantial amounts of nutritious food for a growing world population, but is this scenario of farming sustainable? Currently there is a tremendous amount of debate between organic farmers and conventional farmers who are looking for common answers to this question.

Organic farming largely excludes the exclusive use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, plant growth regulators, and livestock feed additives. Organic farmers rely on crop rotation, crop residues, animal manure and mechanical cultivation to maintain the soil and to control weeds, insects and other pests.

In many countries including the United States, China and most of Europe; organic farming is defined by law, so that the commercial use of the term “organic” is regulated by the government.

Organic farming began as a reaction against the industrialization of agriculture in the early 20th century. Research produced hybrid seeds, fields grew in size and cropping became specialized to make efficient use of machinery, irrigation, fertilization and the use of pesticides. Nitrates which were used during World War II as munitions became an abundant and cheap source of nitrogen. In 1972, the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM); was founded in Versailles, France. IFOAM is dedicated to educating the public on the principles and practices of organic agriculture across national and language boundaries.

The retail market for organic farming in developing economies has grown at about 20% annually due to increasing consumer demand. While most of the early producers were small, the popularity of organic food is rising as the volume and variety of organic products become available at an increasingly larger scale.

Enhancing and maintaining soil health is the mainstay of organic farming. Many methods are employed including crop rotation, green manure, cover cropping, application of compost and mulching, Organic farmers also use certain fertilizers such as seed meal and mineral powders such as rock phosphate and greensand which are naturally occurring forms of potash.

Organic pest control allows for an acceptable amount of pest damage, it encourages or introduces beneficial organisms, utilizes careful crop selection and crop rotation and mechanical, thermal and mulch controls for weeds. Organic pesticides; which are usually derived from plants and not chemicals, allow for the use of natural methods of protection.

A major point of contention is the use of genetically modified organisms (GMO), human growth hormones (HGH), sewage sludge and antibiotics in the production of our food supply.

Opponents claim that the impact of genetic engineering on food quality and plant and animal health is not yet fully understood, although evidence is starting to show that GM food has a seriously negative effect on test animal reproductive organs. Proponents argue that genetic engineering is vital to create higher volumes of produce in the fight to end world hunger without requiring additional land. Often forgotten in this debate, is the fact that genetic engineering is a technique, also known as selective breeding; that has been used for thousands of years, and has done much good for mankind.

The pro-organic point of view regarding the environment in is that conventional agriculture is depleting our natural resources such as soil, fossil fuels and fresh water and is seriously polluting the air, soil and water. The large quantities of agricultural chemicals, water wastage through high-volume irrigation and the heavy use of fuels for the farm machinery and long-distance transport are some of their arguments. On the other hand an organic farm using natural compost and manure on a large-scale may cause as much damage to groundwater and soil as does manufactured fertilizers.

Conventional farming allows farmers to precisely apply only the necessary fertilizers to the soil in order to minimize waste pollutants. Organic farmers on the other hand do not have that option because they depend on fertilizers such as manure which contains fixed amounts of various elements which cannot be adjusted. The most common problem is over application of these organic fertilizers because of their relative lack of potency. These over applications can very easily lead to pollution of the water supply.

The quality of organic food versus conventionally grown food is also extremely debatable and is being studied by various governments with no conclusive evidence either way. One critical exception to this are studies that show that infants, who are exposed to pesticide exposure during the first two years of their lifetime had a 50 percent of chance of developing risk cancer and had their risk levels drop dramatically when they switched to an organic diet. This explains the growing sales of organic baby food because parents know that their infants are especially vulnerable to potentially dangerous food.

Organic farming is at a crossroads. Even though there are laws that ensure that the playing field be level for producers and consumers, these laws have been found to be full of loopholes that have led to serious charges being leveled against the major certifiers in our government such as the FDA and the USDA as well as agribusiness corporations.

Can agribusiness convert to large scale organic farming and still be able to make a profit without raising the consumer cost to unacceptable levels?

The current food distribution system favors high volume production with large farming corporate operations and cannot be easily altered. What we know as organic farming may change very dramatically in the coming years. A growing consumer market is normally one of the main factors encouraging conventional farmers to convert to organic agricultural production methods. I believe this trend will continue.

While this debate goes on, home gardeners are making their own decisions regarding this debate by doing the sensible thing; growing their own foodstuffs. The Green revolution is more than a slogan. It has become a way of life for those who are choosing to join in to make this world a better place to live.

Dick Murray is a retired urbanite who has kept his passion for gardening alive with the creation of an informational web site http://www.vegetablegrowingbasics.com/

More and more families are beginning to grow their own fruits and vegetables due to their increased concern regarding the quality, price and safety of our food supplies.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_Murray
Organic Farming Vs Conventional Farming

A Guide to Energy Conservation at Home
By Lee Maynard

Even though you may be considering adding an alternative energy generating system to your home like solar panels or a wind turbine, you can reduce your energy needs as well by starting a little home energy conservation. There are a few easy steps you can take to reduce your energy use at home without affecting your quality of life for comfort.

One of the first things you should do is replace all of the standard bulbs in your home with Compact florescent bulbs (CFL). These newer style bulbs give you the same amount of light and they only use 25% of the power. It is very easy to put a CFL bulb in every fixture in your home. They will fit any standard fixture in your home and they work just like the regular bulbs will. Since lighting is one of the major costs in your monthly electrical bill, changing out your bulbs to a CFL equivalent can have a big impact on lowering your energy needs each month for very little effort.

Another thing you can do to help with home energy conservation is to eliminate any drafts in your home. They are usually found around doors and windows and are easy to find and get rid of.

If you hold a candle next to a window or door frame and see the candle flicker you will know that there is a leak. These drafts are a double energy waster for you since they let the cold air out during the summer and let the warm air out during the winter. If you want to seal the gaps you can use a caulking gun for the smaller types and expandable foam for the larger ones.

Another great idea for home energy conservation is to install a programmable thermostat for your heating and cooling system. By changing the temperature of your home on a schedule you can make a positive change in your energy usage.

You can lower the temperature in the winter when the family is sleeping or out of the house during the day to work or school and then raise it again just before you arrive home. This little difference in the temperature can have a 10 – 20% impact on your heating bills each month. You can do the same in the summertime with the air conditioner if you want to save even more.

Another simple thing you can do when practicing home energy conservation is to install motion-sensing switches in bedrooms and closets. The lights will stay off when no one is in the room and then as soon as someone enters the room lights turn on.

For more information on how to make your home more energy efficient please visit http://www.residentialrenewableenergy.com/home-energy-conservation.php

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lee_Maynard
A Guide to Energy Conservation at Home

Composting is a great way to get rid of organic waste around the house, while at the same time sprucing up your garden. I found this great how-to article, complete with photos, about how to compost. I hope you enjoy it and learn something from it.

How to Compost

Your Garden Location – Eight Tips on Picking the Best Spot For Your Organic Garden
By Sue Merriam

Choosing the right garden location is one of the most important steps of organic gardening. You will either have pleasure and a bountiful harvest or years of headaches depending on the location. In her book, Organic Food Gardening Beginner’s Manual, Julie Villani says considering a few points now will make your organic gardening easier and fun. Here are eight tips on picking the perfect spot for your organic garden:

Let In The Sunlight

This is especially crucial if you plan to grow vegetables over the winter. You will want a spot that gets at least six hours of sunlight each day. If you live in an area where the temperatures are milder, then you will want a garden that gets its maximum sunlight in the morning. If the summers are hot where you live, look for an area that gets some afternoon shade.

Steer clear of trees

Avoid planting by large trees as they provide too much shade and will compete with your garden for nutrients and water.

Keep It Close to Water

If you want your garden to produce in bountiful supply, it will need lots of water, so make sure your plot is close to a reliable water source. The last thing you want to do is to carry heavy buckets of water to your garden every day.

Consider Collecting Your Water

Keep a cistern near your garden plot to collect rainwater. That way you’ll save on water costs if you live in town and fuel costs if you live in the country. (It takes electricity or gas to run a pump if you are on a well system). Get the water out of the cistern either through a pump or by using good old fashioned gravity.

You can also use recycled household water on your lawn, ornamental shrubs, fruit and nut trees, but don’t use it on your vegetables, herbs or soft fruits – in other words fruit that is not grown on trees – unless you have tested it to make certain it is safe.

Think About The Wind

If you live on the plains like I do, then you know the wind can wreak havoc with a lot of things, including your tender garden plants. A wind-break can help reduce the wind and give your plants a chance to thrive. You don’t want to completely block the wind, as that will create turbulence, so instead use layers of trees and shrubs, or put trellises nearby that are strong enough to support vine-type vegetables, such as squash. These will reduce the wind without creating troublesome turbulence.

Is There Sufficient Drainage?

We live on a wooded lot, and sunny spots are few and far between. Unfortunately, the only available spot for our garden was at the bottom of a hill. Every time it rains, the area is covered with six inches of water. We dealt with this problem by building raised beds that were at least 18 inches high. Your plants hate standing in water, so the next time it rains, look at the ground you are considering planting in, and build raised beds if needed.

What About the Soil?

This is the least important issue when considering a plot of land, because the soil can always be improved. Start composting now, or consider putting in easier raised beds that do not require digging. Over time, even the worst of soils can be improved with rich soil you make yourself.

Keep It Close

A garden close to your front steps is easier to keep weed-free. That way, you can pull out two or three of the unwelcome plants each time you walk to and from your car. Harvesting vegetables and herbs for meals will also be easier if your garden is close to the kitchen.

So there you have it. Follow these tips and your next garden will be easier, more bountiful and downright fun!

Sue Merriam is author of the website, Organic Gardening and Homesteading.

http://www.organic-gardening-and-homesteading.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sue_Merriam
Your Garden Location – Eight Tips on Picking the Best Spot For Your Organic Garden

Before you take the time and energy (and money…) to invest in an alternative energy solution for your home, you need to start conserving electricity with what you have now. By taking the time to pay attention to how much electricity you are using and how you can reduce that, you will be more prepared to implement an alternative energy solution for your home.

There are a few easy steps you can take to reduce your elecriticy consumption, which will in turn reduce your electric bill.

• Turn your air conditioner down (or up). If you’re hot, wear less clothes and turn on a fan pointed right at you. If you’re cold, put more clothes on, and wrap a blanket around you. Central heat and air is a great and comfortable system, but it is a power hog. Take a few simple steps to run your AC less throughout the day.
• If you’re not using it, turn it off. When you leave a room, even for a couple of minutes, turn everything off. Now, if you’re walking from your home office to the kitchen to refill your coffee mug, don’t worry about it. But if you are going to watch TV for a minute, turn off the lights and that fan you should have pointed at you (if it’s the summer).
• Use those compact fluorescent light bulbs for everything. You know, the little swirly-looking things. They last a really, really long time, and consume less electricity. I’ve got some that use 13 watts, some 26 watts, and so on. Much better than 60 – 100 watts.

There you go. Three simple things you can do to reduce your energy consumption. Start thinking about how much electricity you use and waste, and you’ll start improving. Then your bill will be less each month, and you can just sit and smile about it.

Take these simple steps, and you’ll be that much closer to creating a sustainable, renewable energy resource for your home. Rememeber to take baby steps in this process. It won’t do you any good to install a solar power array in your home and then burn it all up by lunch time. Reduce your energy consumption first, then we’ll move on to bigger and better energy projects.

Can Home Made Wind Energy Power Your Entire House?
By Chris Steiner

Home made wind energy is one of the least expensive of all of the renewable energy options for homeowners today. It is also one of the easier ones for a do-it-yourselfer to build and install, making it a very popular choice. But do these systems generate enough energy to power your entire home?

The short answer to this question is yes. But to really answer that question for you and your home, we actually need to answer two other questions. How much energy do you use in your home? And, how much energy can a wind turbine or windmill produce?

The first question should be relatively easy for you to answer. Take a look at your recent electricity bill, and you should see on there the number of kilowatt hours (kWh) used for the month. Many utilities also show a graph of your usage for the past 12 months and/or an average usage. The average US home is said to use just under 800 kWh per month, so we will assume for the sake of this article that you are on the average.

The second question is a bit more complicated. To start, we need to know what the turbine is rated in kilowatts and the average wind speed in your area. If you purchase a commercial turbine, the rating will be supplied by the manufacturer. If you make your own, you can calculate your own rating by following the formula you can find at the American Wind Energy Association’s site at http://www.awea.org/faq/windpower.html.

While some say that you need to record the wind speed at the intended location for a year with an anemometer, for most residential installations this is not necessary. For information on the average wind speed information in the US, you can refer to the US Department of Energy’s site at http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/.

If you are going to make your own, it is probably a good idea to start out with a smaller installation to power a single area such as a garage or workshop before you try to create a device to power your entire home. Some additional ideas for great places to use a smaller turbine would be on a boat or RV, or even in a hunting or fishing cabin or camp site where electricity is not otherwise available.

Making your own wind energy power generator is an excellent do-it-yourself project and can even be done using all recycled parts and equipment if you are a little bit resourceful. Now wouldn’t that be a wonderful two part boost for the environment and your wallet?

If you are interested in getting started with your own project for wind energy power, visit our home made windmill site and let us help you get started.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Steiner
Can Home Made Wind Energy Power Your Entire House?