Friday, July 30, 2010
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Yahoo! Finance - Financially Fit
Yahoo! Finance - Financially Fit: "Cut Down on Everyday Expenses
Courtesy of Arnheim family
Super Savers: Julie and Ralph Arnheim, both 43, daughters Natalie, 14, Isabelle, 12 and Emelia, 9
Savings Rate: 40%
Home: Los Altos Hills, Ca.
Occupation: Julie is a stay-at-home mom and co-founder of RubbingNickels.com; Ralph is a lawyer
Thanks to her husband's successful law career, Julie Arnheim has been able to stay at home full time for the past 10 years with her daughters, ages 9, 12, and 14 (she previously worked in sales for a financial software firm). But living in the San Francisco suburbs is expensive, and Ralph hopes to retire by 55 or 60, so the Arnheims do all they can to keep a lid on spending. Julie describes their savings strategy as 'eco-thrifty' -- they cook at home six nights a week, skip Starbucks, get most of their fruits and vegetables from their garden and keep chickens in the backyard for eggs.
Instead of socializing in restaurants, Julie organizes pot-luck dinners with friends. The Arnheims swap items with neighbors, everything from books and kids soccer equipment to party dresses for their daughters and jewelry and scarves for the adults. Julie says some of their eco-thrifty habits are inspiring the neighbors too: 'Several neighbors and local friends have either already gotten the poultry raising itch or are curious about it,' she says."
Courtesy of Arnheim family
Super Savers: Julie and Ralph Arnheim, both 43, daughters Natalie, 14, Isabelle, 12 and Emelia, 9
Savings Rate: 40%
Home: Los Altos Hills, Ca.
Occupation: Julie is a stay-at-home mom and co-founder of RubbingNickels.com; Ralph is a lawyer
Thanks to her husband's successful law career, Julie Arnheim has been able to stay at home full time for the past 10 years with her daughters, ages 9, 12, and 14 (she previously worked in sales for a financial software firm). But living in the San Francisco suburbs is expensive, and Ralph hopes to retire by 55 or 60, so the Arnheims do all they can to keep a lid on spending. Julie describes their savings strategy as 'eco-thrifty' -- they cook at home six nights a week, skip Starbucks, get most of their fruits and vegetables from their garden and keep chickens in the backyard for eggs.
Instead of socializing in restaurants, Julie organizes pot-luck dinners with friends. The Arnheims swap items with neighbors, everything from books and kids soccer equipment to party dresses for their daughters and jewelry and scarves for the adults. Julie says some of their eco-thrifty habits are inspiring the neighbors too: 'Several neighbors and local friends have either already gotten the poultry raising itch or are curious about it,' she says."
Thursday, July 22, 2010
WPS’ first green service center earns sustainability honor
Wisconsin Public Service Corporation’s (WPS) new service center in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, has been awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Gold certification by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), the nation’s foremost authority on the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings. The facility, which is WPS’ first green service center, earned 47 points under LEED-New Construction v2.2 to receive the Gold designation.
Whole Foods gets 'Gold' going green - NewsTimes
Whole Foods gets 'Gold' going green - NewsTimes: "Whole Foods Market says building its stores to meet the U.S. Green Building Council standards will pay off for customers, the environment and itself.
The Milford Whole Foods is the first grocery store in the state to earn the council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design 'Gold' standard, said Tristam Coffin, regional green mission specialist with the store chain. He said the store brought in a consultant from the nonprofit U.S. Green Building Association to provide insight into materials and ways to build more efficiently."
The Milford Whole Foods is the first grocery store in the state to earn the council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design 'Gold' standard, said Tristam Coffin, regional green mission specialist with the store chain. He said the store brought in a consultant from the nonprofit U.S. Green Building Association to provide insight into materials and ways to build more efficiently."
Monday, July 19, 2010
Homeowners Associations vs. the Green Homeowner - InterNACHI
Homeowners Associations vs. the Green Homeowner - InterNACHI: "Homeowners Associations vs. the Green Homeowner
by Nick Gromicko and Rob London
Nationwide, homeowners' associations (HOAs) govern the approved uses of millions of properties. While HOAs ostensibly uphold property
values by ensuring uniformity or a community's aesthetic standard, they sometimes interfere with individual homeowners’ attempts to install photovoltaic (solar) panels.
All over the country, conservative HOAs are trying to prevent homeowners from installing panels, even going to court over the issue. As some homeowners seek to install new energy-efficient solar panels, many are finding that their neighbors and HOAs object, saying the additions defy historic-district regulations, or will look ugly, or will damage property values.
“[A]greeing to projects without regard to the architectural guidelines of the community can create divisiveness and can affect property values,” said Frank Rathbun to the Wall Street Journal. Rathbun is spokesman for the Community Associations Institute, an education and advocacy group based in Alexandria, Va. But residents say their right to invest in alternative energy trumps the sensibilities of neighbors who don't like how the panels look."
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