We all have oodles of used electronic equipment laying around in drawers and boxes and we all are going to sell them, or donate them, or recycle them, when we get a round tuit.

C’mon you know who you are.  We have actually sold a few items of  used electronic equipment on eBay and Craigslist but it is a hassle and then they go in the box, on on the shelf, in the drawer.  Out of site – out of mind.

Now Gazelle to the go green rescue!  Gazelle.com is a company that will purchase your; used computers, tv’s, mp3 players, iPods, cell phones, audio equipment and just about all types of reusable electronic equipment.  This is one of the best places for cell phone recycling and who doesn’t have a bunch of those lying around.

This company operates a very green business and we have heard nothing but good things about them.  You can select a category; fill out the checklist of items that you have to sell and give a description of condition and items that go with them, such as original packaging, manuals, original software, cables, etc.

Then you submit your entry online and they will make a cash offer for your used electronics.  Once you decide to accept the offer you can print out a label from their website and shipping will be paid by the buyer. OK you might get a little higher price if you sell directly to an end user, but this is the no hassle way.

They will notify you when the item is received, then it takes about a week for them to inspect it and approve that it meets your agreed to description and then they will issue you a check or pay you instantly through your PayPal account.

Gazelle goes one step further in the reuse – recycle – donation way of going green in that you may elect to have the payment made directly to your favorite charity.  Everybody wins!  So whether you want to get cash for your used electronic equipment and gadgets or if you want to recycle and donate at the same time we heartily recommend Gazelle.

With a plentiful supply of used farm machinery I am not surprised that the family farm is not what it was. I come from a long line of farmers. My family homesteaded the plains near Eureka Il back before Illinois was a state. For years I watched as farm equipment was used and modified to fit the needs of the farmer. My family was a hearty bunch, waking up before dawn and working all day no matter what the weather. The chores had to be done. I remember being told the animals do not like the storm but they can’t feed themselves. Since they feed us with their lives and offspring the least we could do is feed and water them on a daily basis. This was a requirement on the farm, not to mention cleaning up the feed when it came out the other side, but I won’t go there.

One thing I learned about the used farm machinery is that the older it was, the more likely it had been modified for a use it was not originally intended for.  Looking at the ads out there now, most are modern machines that look high tech. I know it has been many years since my youth and things have changed but wow.

Hard work and labor on the farm has not been replaced, just went high tech. Too bad the prices for the commodities produced on the farms have not followed suit and increased at the same pace as the rest of society. Thus the reason for a glutton of used farm equipment and machinery. There are too many farmers shutting the barns and going into the cities to feed their families. Not very good way to go green but a reality in today’s world.

If you are looking to purchase used farm machinery you should watch your local auction house advertisements and classified ads in your local papers.  We have had good luck on ebay but you have to watch out for the location because transportation can kill the value of the deal.  The very best place that we have had good luck with in finding equipment for our little spread is by using Craigslist.org.  Craigslist forces you to sign in from your nearest city so chances are all of the deals will be within an hour or two travel from your location.  We love these deals because both parties end up happy.

The grocery store is a great place to go green with these simple tips! When shopping for produce, Organic Food Stores are best, even though our budgets don’t think so.

Buy Local:
Buying our fruits and vegetables from local growers is a green solution. Farmers markets and road side stands scatter areas all over. Check out Craigslist dot org for your locality and search for terms like organic, home grown, green living.

Use Coupons:
Check the Sunday paper for your store’s sale ad and coupons. These can help you think of meals for the week and a more precise grocery list. Without a general idea of what to get, you end up spending more money on things that you “think” you need. This leads to wasted food and ultimately wasted money.

Recycle:
Look for products with reusable, or recyclable packaging. For instance, reusable packages would include glass jars or even margarine/butter tubs for leftovers. As far as recyclable packages, look for plastics with a #1 on the bottom. This type of plastic is most commonly accepted at recycling centers. As you get higher in number (#2 – #7), it is less likely to actually be recycled.

Reusable:
Bring your own reusable bags with you when you shop. Organic Food Stores have programs for shoppers to earn free bags, there are mail in rebates for free bags, or you can spend a few bucks to buy some. Either way by having just two or three reusable bags, you’re making a difference. Plus they can be used for more than just groceries!