Here is a seven point checklist with ways to eliminate time-sucking, household chores online. They are all simple to do and are guaranteed to help you run a more organized household. And besides, who doesn’t love checking things off a list? (more)


Living Greenly
17 Summer Driving Tips: How to make fuel go farther and why "staycation" is the new buzzword.
By Martha Miller
June 1, 2008
Gasoline prices are making us rethink every commute to work, every trip to the store, and most definitely, any vacation plans. To counteract the rise in gasoline prices, here’s a roundup of the best fuel-saving tips we could find. (more)


Living Online
Cashing in Online: Money-making ideas for stay-at-home-moms
By Martha Miller
May 1, 2008
There’s no denying the downturn in the economy is socking it to us. Who couldn’t use a little extra money now that gasoline is barreling past $4 a gallon and food costs are shooting up right along with it. We’re all feeling the pinch, but there are ways to counteract this cash crunch. If you have access to a computer with Internet connection, there are ways to staunch the outflow. Here’s how real moms are taking action and bringing home some green. (more)


Living Greenly
Water-saving Gardening Techniques: Why plant selection can create a greener garden that is easier to care for
By Martha Miller
May 1, 2008
Lawns, decks, patios, porches and window sills give us an opportunity to create beautiful, relaxing areas in and throughout our homes. Making thoughtful choices in the beginning lays the groundwork for gardening success and by planning ahead we can reduce wasting of one of our most valuables resources: water. (more)


Living Greenly
My New BFF? Baking Soda! A Super Eco-Friendly Household Cleaner
By Martha Miller
March 1, 2008
Intrigued by all the neat displays of eco-cleaning products, I was eager to spend the time and money researching new products for this column. What really works, what smells the best? Could there be aromatherapy in housework? And which products were basically the same old things with a “green” label slapped on them by their marketing departments? I was actually looking forward to donning rubber gloves and getting down to the nitty, gritty (pun intended) for this column. (more)


Living Online
Planning a Party Online
By Martha Miller
March 1, 2008
Our on-line editor, Martha Miller, experiments with technology to plan a birthday party without a trip to the store.  And, Yes!, you can get a complete party—from invitations to the cake—all without leaving the comfort of your computer screen.  You have to provide the honoree, of course! (more)


Living Greenly
How Low Can You Go? Easy Ways to Reduce Water and Energy Usage around the House
By Martha Miller
February 1, 2008
While toting up our annual household expenses, February’s utility bill by far stood out as the highest of the entire year. Our bill includes water, so this month I’m challenging myself to reduce unnecessary water and energy usage and therefore, costs, as much as possible. We’re not going cold turkey exactly and barring use of the oven (darn!), but I’m committed to finding easy ways to cut these budget benders so that we can reap the financial rewards for going greener immediately. Here’s what we’re doing. (more)


Living Gracefully
Let January be the time you clear things out of your life
By Gretchen Cook
January 1, 2008
It’s a New Year.  This is one of those times when we long for a fresh start. Often there are changes we know we need and want to make, but haven’t. We seem to save them for the New Year.  Well, it’s here. And if you’d like to see real change in 2008, there is no better time to start than right now. (more)


Living Greenly
By Martha Miller
January 1, 2008
Do you know how big your carbon foot print is? If you haven't heard the phrase "carbon footprint" by now, rest assured the idea is coming to a school, business or organization near you and very soon. Put simply your "carbon footprint" is a measure of your lifestyle's impact on our planet in terms of the amount of green house gases produced, measured in units of carbon dioxide.  Maybe it's best explained by real life contrasts.
(more)


Living Online
Improving Rebate Success Online
By Martha Miller
January 1, 2008
When Kaci Goodman applied for a $49.99 rebate on a modem for her high-speed Internet hook-up she didn’t have great expectations. She says, “I hate these [rebates], but I sent it in anyway.” The AT&T rebate offer advised waiting 10 to 12 weeks for the check to arrive. Five months later, Kaci had almost forgotten about it, but followed up with a phone call. AT&T’s customer service representative responded, “We did receive your rebate but it didn’t get authorized.” The representative then said she “would send it off to see if you still qualify.” Frustrated, Kaci said, “If I ever see that money it will be a miracle.” (more)