How to Go Green With $2,000 You'd Spend Anyway

HoneyLynn, a soon-to-be-mother who joined the Big Green Purse campaign back in March, has shifted almost $2,000 of her household spending to products and services that benefit the environment as part of her commitment to live a greener life. Here's her story:

"Over the last 4-5 years, I have really become committed to environmentally conscious living, but have realized that it doesn't and can't on a practical level, happen overnight. So, slowly I have shifted our household's spending to more environmentally conscious products. Whenever I need to replace or or buy something new, I take the time to seek out environmentally friendly alternatives, and if it costs a little more than I thought and we don't need it right away, then I save up to make the purchase (no credit card purchases here).

"The idea of seeing exactly how much of our household spending was directed to environmentally friendly products, was what inspired me to get involved in the One in a Million campaign. Regarding the biggest lesson, like I mentioned above, is that sometimes it takes a little research (thank goodness for the Internet) to find environmentally friendly alternatives, but it is worth it. Also, those skeptical partners out there eventually come around. My husband half-jokingly gives me a hard time about being an Eco-nut, but over the last four+ years, I have noticed that when he does the shopping by himself, our reusable shopping bags are filled with the organic groceries and Eco-friendly products that we have become accustom to purchasing. It has become a part of our lifestyle.

"We live in Mankato, MN which is in south central MN, so sometimes it is difficult to find the products that we are looking for locally, so I will order on line when necessary. We just bought our first house this past July and have committed to using Eco-friendly products and services as we make the place our own. We don't have any pets, but we are expecting our first child in April and our close friends and family already expect that our child will be one of the 'greenest' around.

"Most definitely I will continue to shift our spending!"

HoneyLynn became "One in a Million" when she pledged to shift at least $1,000 of her household budget to more eco-friendly products and services. The idea is not to spend more money. Rather, the campaign inspires consumers to swap out conventional products for ones that are greener and cleaner. If a million women make the shift, we'll create a billion-dollar incentive for manufacturers to "go green." Already, thousands of women have joined the campaign.

If you're interested,visit Big Green Purse online and download a balance sheet to help you keep track of your budget shifts. When you reach (or exceed) your $1,000 pledge, email us your story, and we'll post it, just like HoneyLynn's.

Take a look at HoneyLynn's Balance Sheet to see how she shifted her spending:

Date - Item / Money Spent

3/28 - Aveda Men’s Shampoo & Women’s Facial Bar / $49.22
3/28 - Organic Spinach, Yogurt, & Cereal / $16.00
3/31 - Groceries from Local Food Co-Op / $36.91

4/5 - Groceries / $58.00
4/12 - Electric-Wind Energy / $28.00
4/13 - Bamboo hangers & spatula / $12.00
4/13 - Groceries / $19.00
4/15 - Cosmetics-Honey Bee Gardens / $15.44
4/18 - Groceries / $29.73
4/18 - Blue Canoe-Yoga Clothes / $57.00
4/19 - Groceries from local Food Co-Op / $48.92
4/21 - Klean Kanteen / $34.70
4/26 - Bamboo Hangers / $4.00
4/27 - Groceries / $18.00
4/27 - Thrift Store Clothing Purchase / $37.00

5/03 - Groceries / $20.15
5/04 - Bamboo Cooking Utensil / $3.00
5/04 - Groceries & Purchase of shares in Co-Op / $138.09
5/10 - Groceries / $25.50
5/10 - Bamboo Hangers & Dishwasher Detergent / $9.38
5/15 - Shopping at local Co-op / $9.16
5/17 - Bamboo Hangers & Tom’s Deodorant / $8.23
5/17 - Groceries / $20.58
5/25 - Groceries / $29.31
5/25 - Apothena-organic facecare / $79.95
5/26 - Bamboo Hangers / $4.00
5/31 - Groceries / $24.97

06/7 - Groceries / $35.34
06/7 - Bamboo Hangers / $4.00
06/7 - Bamboo Hangers & Toms Toothpaste / $8.18
06/7 - Local Honey / $5.59
06/7 - Nurture My Body-Organic Hair Care / $27.00
6/15 - Laundry Detergent & Bamboo Hangers / $17.00
6/15 - Farmers' Market / $10.00
6/15 - Groceries / $24.30
6/16 - Klean Kanteen / $33.00
6/16 - Alima Cosmetics / $15.00
6/17 - Bamboo Socks / $6.00
6/21 - Bamboo Hangers / $4.00
6/21 - Groceries / $19.63
6/21 - Aveda-Makeup Brushes / $99.51

7/01 - Rain Barrel / $200.00
7/05 - Bamboo hangers & Eco-friendly mop / $40.00
7/05 - Groceries / $30.75
7/05 - Farmer’s Market / $15.00
7/08 - Bamboo Hangers & Compostable Dusters / $9.00
7/10 - Bamboo Hangers & Toothpaste / $7.70
7/12 - Farmer’s Market / $48.00
7/13 - Groceries / $34.65
7/17 - Composter & Compost Scrap Keeper / $151.00
7/18 - Farmer’s Market / $19.00
7/18 - Groceries / $21.80
7/18 - Local Food Co-op / $29.15
7/24 - Cleaning Products & Bamboo Hangers / $30.54
7/25 - Farmer’s Market / $16.00
7/25 - Groceries / $35.93

8/03 - Groceries / $41.10
8/05 - Local Food Co-op / $45.88
8/10 - Bamboo Hangers / $4.00
8/15 - Groceries / $6.82
8/17 - Groceries / $4.76
8/18 - Groceries / $3.99
8/22 - Groceries / $13.10
8/27 - Groceries & Bamboo Hangers / $10.26
8/28 - Groceries, Hangers, & Dish soap / $10.26
8/30 - Cleaning Product / $3.29
8/29 - Groceries / $15.52

Total: $1,992.29