Women at work and their tips, challenges, advice, complaints, and experiences

What did you do for Earth Day this year?  Do you have anything planned for Arbor Day?  (It's this Friday, in case you were wondering.)  While a lot of Hollywood-ites and politicians would have us think that we have to, in the words of my husband, "plant a tree and hug it" in order to contribute to a better environment, there are actually a lot of easy steps that we can take to go green.

Why should you consider going green?  Well, frankly, I'm beyond the usual scare tactics of global warming and pesticide consumption.  I'd rather you think about the health of your family and the health of your wallet.  Yes, your wallet.  Despite the stereotype that green living and organic produce are costly, it can actually be quite the opposite.  Incorporating even a few baby steps into your life (and grocery list) can actually mean more money in your pocket.  With the buying power women have, making green choices makes a huge statement.

In honor of Earth Day, Arbor Day, and every other day, I've decided to share a series of tips and tricks with you for going green - both big and small, quick and more time-consuming.  Try one, try them all - just keep in mind that they'll be worth your while. 

Enough explaining!  Here is the first installment in a six-part series that will go through 30 April, to help you find easy ways to go green.

Five baby steps to being green:

1. Use cloth napkins.  You'll save the environment, obviously, by not using paper, but you'll also buy fewer napkins.  Money in your pocket.  If you're really feeling crafty, you can buy the material (or use what's in your sewing basket already) and save the money spent on cloth napkins elsewhere.
2. Have a baby at home?  Consider using cloth diapers, at least part-time.  Every day you can use cloth diapers, you're cutting out at least 6-12 disposables hitting the landfill - and you're spending less on disposables as well.  Keep in mind that if you use a diaper service, you're not saving much cash (and the bleach isn't that great for the environment either!), so consider washing them at home.
3. Live in a metro area?  Dump the car and use public transportation (buses, trains), walk, or ride a bike to work, or at least to local shops.  Your stress level will go down when it's not you worrying about the tailgater that's breathing down your neck, and if you're close enough to walk or bike, your body will benefit even more than the environment will!
4. Not in a metro area?  Carpool.  Want to go one better?  When your vehicle is up for replacement, consider a hybrid vehicle.  Use it to carpool and wow!  Nobody can top your efforts!
5. Want a really easy step toward environmentalism?  Reuse your towels.  If you're drying off a clean body after a shower, what is the harm, really, in letting your towel dry off and reusing it the next day, or several days in a row?  Save yourself time washing and folding several loads of towels a day; save the water and electricity of washing that many loads that often; bask in the knowledge that you "done good".