Love is patient, love is kind, love is… green

By: Melinda Toussaint

Being green in your everyday life can be very challenging… that’s why you need someone to help you through it. I have composed a list of 10 ways you and your partner can stay green while maintaining a fun and interesting relationship.

1) Reservation for two… at home: Instead of going out to dinner with your significant other, make dinner. You’ll not only save money and hopefully eat healthier… but a quiet setting in your dining room is more romantic than any crowded restaurant could be. A little candlelight, no interruptions, and best of all no check!

2) Blockbuster is Back: A classic date has usually consisted of dinner and movie, but bringing dinner indoors forces the movie to be as well. The good news is cuddling up to a rental from Blockbuster for $4 and making microwave popcorn at $1 per package… saves you at least $20. Plus you determine when the movie starts!

3) Start reading again. Now staying away from Barnes and Noble might not be so easy. It is one of my favorite places on Earth, but this summer (with my boyfriend’s suggestion) I became a member at our local library… again! You can check out all the latest bestsellers for FREE! You can’t beat that. So cozy up to your partner and read. Silence is definitely golden and makes the times for conversation that much more meaningful.

4) Be creative… together! Make time for arts and crafts. As silly and summer camp as that sounds it is actually fun. You can make home décor like mug racks and picture frames from old materials (newspaper, magazines, wood, or accessories) for a lot cheaper than purchasing at the store. Not only will you feel great that you saved money and reused materials…you and your partner will have created something that is a conversation starter in your home.

5) Who needs a gym? Instead of spending way too much money on a gym membership that, if you are me is wasted, do yoga in your family room or run outside. Running outside is refreshing and challenging, not to mention totally free. By working out with your partner you can help motivate one another much better than you could on a treadmill.

6) One Click Away… Shop online together. Most people think that the materials used to ship your package costs more than shopping at your local mall, well that’s not true. Shopping online costs about 1/10 of the gas, money, and time you take to shop at the mall. Granted you can’t try things on, but that’s why you need to ask yourself “Can I live without this?” Most of the time the answer is yes. Save yourself the hassle of returning by saying no to unnecessary purchases.

7) Don’t Do Duplicates: If you live together… donate your duplicates of CDs, DVDs, books, and appliances to friends or Goodwill or sell them on EBay to make money. There is no reason to have two of anything, so don’t! If you don’t live with your partner, pass CDs, books, and DVDs back and forth. It will be fun and save both of you money. Why both have them when you can share?

8) Move the “Night on the Town” Indoors: When wanting a fun night out, think of moving it in. Have friends over for cocktails and conversation to avoid crowds, smoke, and tipping the bartender. In this case the bartender is you! To really mix things up have themed parties or play unusual games. Halloween isn’t the only time to be someone else! Have fun while you are young. Best thing of all you’ll save money and no one drives home drunk.

9) Support Each Other. Be a support system for your partner throughout your daily lives. Remind them when they aren’t being as green as they could. Practice the 3 R’s (reduce, reuse, recycle) together so it gets easier to do on your own.

10) Sharing is Caring. Find out what works for you and your partner to live green and share those tips to friends and family. Hearing about how someone else makes it work is inspirational and motivational. So start sharing!