Going Organic: Not As Hard (or Pricey) As You Think

So by now, the majority of us are back at school, making attempts at being organized that we know will never last the entire semester, scanning our syllabi in horror and stocking up on the snacks we know we’re going to need for those nerve-grating late nights. But while we’re preparing to study up, a lot of other people who aren’t even in school are doing a little bio homework of their own.

Living green is getting more and more popular, not to mention much easier. There are tons of organic choices lining supermarkets, pharmacies, even clothing stores.

But how do you even know what to pick while you’re cruising through the aisles? You want to help out Mom Nature, of course, but you don’t want your wallet to go the way the polar ice caps are going. Here are five of the best methods to save earth and your money, a little bit at a time.

5) Always always buy your fruit and veggies organic: It’s healthier for you, and since it’s gotten so popular, it’s just the same price, and sometimes cheaper. If you can, try to buy local produce; it supports your local farms and sometimes you can even see where it’s grown, if you live nearby. (Quickie tip: while you’re shopping, just bring a backpack or a canvas bag instead of wasting the paper and plastic bags at the store.)

4) Speaking of organic, don’t forget to buy your soaps organic too:I suggest Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps. They come in quite a few amazing scents (I love the peppermint), and the liquid soaps are AMAZINGLY versatile. You can use it for soap, laundry detergent, and even shampoo – and they come in big enough and affordable enough containers for you to be able to do so.

3) While we’re on the topic of staying so fresh, so clean, here are three especially great energy and money saving laundry tips: For one, cold water for all your clothes. It saves the energy that’s needed to heat the water, and it’s especially good for colors that run and/or fade, as well as wool. See? Your mom knew what she was talking about.

For another, there are cold water versions of most of your favorite name brand detergents that don’t run very expensive and you can sometimes even find them on sale.

It will also save you a lot of money and save everyone else a lot of energy to airdry your clothing. Just pick up a rack and tada! – dry clothing while you sleep. (Or at least as long as you should be sleeping. I know you’re really up watching Project Runway and American Idol.)

2) Oh, and did you know that you can get organic clothing too: I mean, I knew, but it’s insanely popular now, and insanely easy to find! One of my favorite brands is the Life Is Good stuff; I have about three or four of their shirts, and they’re easily some of my most comfortable clothing. Any clothing you get that says “organic” somewhere on the label, you’re set.

1) We all know that it’s all well and good to say this stuff, but it’s one thing to say it and another to do it: That’s why there are all kinds of pledges and promises you can make. One of my favorites is the Yahoo! Green Pledge. They have a ton of things you can do right there, and you can go hardcore or just take it smooth and work your way up. The best part is that it tells you just how much you lowered your carbon emissions, and who doesn’t like a to have a little friendly competition to see who can save the most? I save 1.01 tons of carbon a year. Bet you can’t beat that. (Seriously, I dare you.)

I know just as well as the next chick that it’s hard to devote to any sort of green living. It seems pretty much impossible at first (“There’s no WAY I can live without styrofoam carryout containers, are you serious?!“), but a little bit at a time makes a hell of a lot more difference than you’d think.