The Simple New Year

I have to admit, I'm not usually one for resolutions this time of year. The inspiration doesn't last and we find ourselves with one more thing left undone. But these ideas are inspiring because they also simplify life. There are 12; one to implement each month.

1. Junk the junk mail
Inundated by catalogs? Register with catalogchoice.org. It is a website that will eliminate unnecessary mail.

2. Learn to share
At neighborrow.com find neighbors who will lend you books and tools, and visit Santa Cruz's own Educational Resource Center for toys you'd rather borrow than buy.

3. Just say no to bottled water
Some of the country's top restaurants use tap water, so you can too. Or invest in a filter system.

4. Audit Yourself
The average U.S. house creates double the greenhouse-gas emissions of the average car. Audit your home's energy use and learn to reduce it at hes.lbl.gov.

5. Now You're Cookin'
A watched pot never boils, but a covered one boils quickly, saving cooking time--and energy. Use smaller appliances, like a toaster oven or rice cooker to conserve energy. It also takes less energy to reheat food (not to mention time!) so make enough for leftovers.

6. Bring camaraderie to your commute
Carpooling saves gas and turns traffic delays into social soirees! Find fellow riders at erideshare.com, commutesolutions.org or goloco.com.

7. Have mug will travel
Bring your own cup to the cafe when ordering take out coffee. Not only will you save a tree, often you get a small discount on your purchase.

8. Compost and create up to 40% less garbage
County residents' garbage company, GreenWaste, now allows raw fruits and veggies in the green bin. City residents visit http://www.ci.santa-cruz.ca.us/ for more information.

9. Enjoy the great outdoors
You will be healthier on a hike or at the beach than in a movie theater or shopping mall. Its not just Mother Earth that will be happier because you are reducing consumption, your poket book will smile too.

10. Have a candle light dinner
About one fourth of the total electricity generated in the U.S. is used for lighting. Not only will you save energy, you will create a relaxing and romantic evening.

11. Visit me at the Farmer's Market
Saturday mornings at the Westside Market are just fun. Support your local farmers, socialize with your friends and neighbors and eat healthier. While you're there pick up a free reusable cotton tote from me.

12. Plan a recycled gift party!
A gift giving party with a green theme. We have all received a gift that while thoughtful, is nothing we would've thought to buy, but obviously someone has! Throw a recycled gift party, where guests bring these items they won't use and see who will.

Thank You for Your Support

Green Your Home

Mix Masters are not just for New Years cocktails!
Care2 makes it easy to blend up your own nontoxic household cleansers. You can also find recipes for skin products and pet-care on the website.

Click here for Care2

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EcoKids

Let your kids create their own Time Capsule! This craft can be made without buying a thing. Place items you own that symbolize your current life into a sealed box that you will open in the future. Use a now-empty Christmas cookie tin for the container.

Click Here for Craft

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Featured Green Investment

"Problems are only opportunities in work clothes."
-Henry J. Kaiser

"Problems can be opportunities when the right people come together."
-Robert South

"The optimist turns problems into opportunities. The pessimist turns opportunities into problems."
-David Baird

The current, popular outlook on the economy and Real Estate is problematic, but really, its all perspective. Reading the above quotes, you see successful people turn problems into golden opportunities.

Donald Trump sees the value in any market, "Well, real estate is always good, as far as I'm concerned." He said buy when the market is down and sell when it is up. Well, it is time to buy. Prices may not be at bottom, but successful investors advise against "timing the market" down to the wire, instead acting within a safer earlier margin to maximize gains and minimize pains.

To maximize gains even more, purchase a green property. Going green is the hottest trend and you can turn the subprime problems into your green gold. Because the market is slow, prices for energy efficient homes are currently comparable to traditional homes. But their equity will exceed the others as the energy crises grows and the market cycles back. Click below to see details on this month's featured green home.

Click Here for Featured Home