Sustainability tips for all
Small changes for a greener life
Practical, research-backed guides to living more sustainably at home, in the garden and beyond.
How to Start a Vegetable Garden From Scratch: Costs, Layout and First-Year Yields
Where to put a first vegetable garden, what each type of bed costs to build and fill, which crops forgive beginner mistakes, and what a first season can realistically put on the table.
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Worth reading
Repair or Replace? A Money Guide for Appliances, Clothes and Electronics
The 50% rule, typical repair bills for the big appliances, how long each one should last, and the cases where a new efficient model pays for itself. Plus the cheap repairs that keep phones, laptops and clothes in use.
Induction Cooktops: Running Costs, Health and Whether to Switch
Induction is the most efficient way to cook, but at typical US prices it barely changes your energy bill. The case for switching rests on cleaner indoor air, speed and safety. Here is what it costs to run, to buy and to wire.
Lower Energy Bills for Renters: 10 Fixes That Don’t Need the Landlord
Ten fixes that cost $5 to $150 each, come out when you move, and don't need anyone's permission. Together they can take $100 to $350 a year off the bills a renter actually pays.
The essentials
Good to know
How to Find a Recycling Drop-Off Near You, and What to Bring
Curbside bins take the basics. For everything else there's a drop-off site somewhere in your county. Here is how to find the right one, what to sort before you go, what it costs, and what a scrap yard will pay you.
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