Call me a green socialist (or a tax and spend liberal like my Hubby likes to tease), but I couldn't be more thrilled by the signing of the health care bill. I'm still in disbelief about how contentious its been...doesn't everyone get sick, Democrats and Republicans alike?! Perhaps its because I lived in Denmark, but universal health care seems like a simple solution, especially when it could cost less for everyone and provide a societal safety net thats hard to put a price tag on. I consider my family to be very lucky to have employer covered health insurance. Even though I know that we work hard to earn it, I believe that health care should be a human right, not an employer based privilege. Stories about families struggling due to health care costs are heart breaking, and I am hopeful that the new health care bill will improve the lives of many families.

The passage of the new student loan program is exciting too, both for myself and our kids. I was among the first in my family to graduate from college and while emotionally supportive, my parents couldn't financially put my Sis and I through school. Between college and grad school I took out significant student loans, $66k total for six years of schooling, while working part-time throughout.

I been making payments for ten years now, and it really feels like I'm trapped in a sanctioned bank racket. My loan has a 3.25% fixed interest, and last year I paid $3,456, but $3,051.74 was paid in interest, so only $404.26 was paid on my principle. Yet, even after a decade of consistent $288 monthly auto-payments, my loan still amounts to $46k. In all honesty, I was expecting that I may still be paying off my student loans when my children start college. This has been a challenge, because I want to start saving for college, but need to pay off my own debt first.

Thankfully student loan forgiveness is now available to hard working college grads. Moreover, families won't have to incur the same level of debt to begin with larger tax credits and more Pell grants. I am so thrilled that the next generation will not face the same insurmountable student debt. Thanks to my fellow "green socialists" who voted, spoke up and worked to make these significant policies possible.

Will your family benefit from the health care bill?

Are you saddled with student loans?

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Sustainable Family Finances
The story of a family creating an abundant and sustainable life.

I was intrigued to come across two references about the definition and creation of a so-called middle class. What does being "middle class" really mean?

According to U.S. Today, the income range is actually quite wide, from $51k - $123k annually. The size of average middle class homes has risen 40% in the past thirty years, but that's likely to change again in the decade to come. They also assume that all middle class have two cars, not "just" one. Interestingly, the article mentioned a Pew poll among the middle class where 68% said that free time was their top priority, 12% said that being wealthy was the top priority. I'm all for abundance, but with young children family time reigns high. 

In my own blog bio I describe our family as "middle class," but they doesn't really give the full story. I grew up in rural southern Oregon during the 80's spotted-owl recession, and I always thought of my family as working class. Comparing myself with friends I always felt fortunate though and never thought of myself as "poor." It was first when I applied for students loans that I realized my family was actually on the lower tier of the class strata. 

Next I met Hubby, actually my last year of college while he was in grad school. While so-called middle class, his family really hovers toward to top end of this vague social bracket. Thankfully, class level doesn't determine your soul mate and life partner. While we occasionally have lively discussions about our different life perspectives, for the most part its not something that influences our relationship on a daily basis. I can only hope that as we raise our kids, we'll teach them the value of doing what you love, giving back to society and sharing the abundance.

Yet, I'm not naive to think that class doesn't play an intrinsic role in American society. Paul Krugman shares a history lesson about how the middle class society evolved rather quickly due to government policies, and how they have continued to change through political control of the classes. Check out his video:

New York Times columnist, Paul Krugman,  talks about Income Inequality and the Middle Class:





How does class play out in your family?
Do consider yourself to be middle class?


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Sustainable Family Finances 
The story of a family creating an abundant and sustainable life.

If you had asked me prior to kids whether I would ever shop at Costco, I would have scoffed. In college I even wrote a paper reflecting on my thoughts of disbelief at the scale of consumption Costco enables and perpetuates. I couldn't fathom that people would actually pay money to be a member of such a "sales" club. Who really needs a gallon of olive oil?!


I grew warmer to idea when I read an article about how they treat their workers, and how they are a liberal NW business. Yet, it was actually the diapers that sold us our membership. After getting a case of disposables as a gift, we were intrigued by the concept of being able to purchase staples every few months and then get our local organics delivered weekly. Very appealing indeed to a family who really rather do other things with our spare time than go shopping. Now that we use cloth, the diapers are no longer a draw and I'm thankful not to have to spend extra $40 every visit, but the case of baby wipes is still a must.


After three years as members, I'm beginning to question the true convenience and savings of Costco. 

1. Because we try to go infrequently we end up blowing our monthly budget every time, although it does equal out over time as we don't have to purchase items. Items average $10, so they add up very quickly!
2. The nearest Costco is 22 miles round trip, although I do try to chain trips together.
3. There are always temptations to buy more than your shopping list. My last splurges were new kiddie jammies and Easter dress, a case of wheat ale and organic Oregon wine, and some perennials. Extra price: $145.

Yep, I'll admit it, neither very finaance nor eco-friendly.Are you a Costco member? 
Do you feel like your family really saves?


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Sustainable Family Finances 
The story of a family creating an abundant and sustainable life.

I've got a touchy subject that I've been struggling with for a while now: How do you tell generous family members that enough stuff is enough?

In our house, my Mother is the gift fairy. Virtually every time she visits she comes bearing assorted gifts. They usually aren't extravagant, and typically are things she thinks we "need." My Mother has only the best of intentions, and is always very thoughtful in her gift giving. That's the reason why it's so difficult to put my foot down. I've tried again and again to set limits and we've made some progress, but there always seems to be some extra gift. 

Now to my Mother's defense, she understands our green values, and I give her all the credit in the world for teaching me these values. She actually lived off the grid for over a decade, and is currently leading a green school transformation. She doesn't bring cheap plastic trinkets, and has never given something that was inappropriate or toxic. She knows our BigGuy is a bookworm and brings books on a regular basis, which he loves!  I've had discussion with Mama friends, and always try to justify it by knowing that there are plenty of Grandparents who are more egregious consumers and truly "spoil."  Yet, we don't want our kids to feel entitled to her gifts.


On a financial level, I feel guilty about her spendy money on us and would rather she save her money to retire earlier and spend more time with the kids! I also don't have a clear picture of her retirement situation, and want to make sure that she is taking care of herself first. There's also the larger issue is that it feels like she puts a lot of time, money, and emotional energy into her gift giving that could be better shared with our family in other ways. She is a wizard at sewing and crafts, and I would much rather she spend her extra energy on crafty expressions than shopping. And again to her defense, part of the reason this dynamic has presented itself is because she knows how infrequently I shop for things beyond groceries, and that I would truly rather spend my time in other ways.

So, even with attempts to set limits, we hit another wall after the holiday and birthday season. I'm sure you can picture the preschool meltdown surrounding a coveted book/CD set...Enough was enough, and Hubby promptly drafted our new family policy around gifts.


Official Gift Policy
Values:

• We do not want our children to associate materials things with their loved ones.
• We value quality time with loved ones over material goods.
• Gifts do not equal love or can replace quality time and relationships.
• Material goods create tension over time and resources, creates competition for attention, and exacerbates a culture of consumption.

Rules:

1. Our family will not accept any more material gifts.
2. The only exception is one gift for Christmas. 

3. A family outing or experience-based gift would be welcomed for Birthdays.

4. Hand sewn gifts, used clothing and used books or supplies for craft projects are still welcomed, but need to based on a larger reward system for good deeds.

5. Any special circumstances must be discussed in advance of purchasing - big or small.

On a recent visit, I discussed our need for a moratorium on stuff in our household with my Mother. The discussion wasn't easy, as I can feel the emotional energy she pours into each purchase. Once she buys things for us, it's no longer mere stuff, but special gifts with meaning. I understand that they are a symbol of her love and affection and a way to connect between visits, but I have to listen to my gut. I know that we can create experiences and memories together that surpass the pleasures of stuff. It's our only viable option for living in true sustainable abundance.


Are we being too strict?
What's your family story with gifts?
Do you set limits? How?

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Sustainable Family Finances 

The story of a family creating an abundant and sustainable life.

Aside from how beautiful Oregon is, the most common remark I've gotten from my Danish family and friends who have visited is that our home feels and looks more European than most American homes. I'm sure this is partly because I lived in Denmark, and I appreciate the aesthetic of simple nature-inspired design. While not spartan, our home is noticeably uncluttered. 


It's also because even before kids, Hubby and I were a bit of stuff misers. We don't want to be burdened by clutter and waste and we have a pretty low threshold for unnecessary things in our life. We make our choices about what material items we purchase very consciously and deliberately. We lived with an empty living room for almost three months just because I wasn't willing to buy just anything. And although I love my furniture, I do regret that I was unable to purchase it without flame retardants...but that's another story.


Here are some of the things we think about:

• We evaluate carefully whether we really "need" something - We try not to buy something just because it's a good deal. Not that we balk at sales, we just don't want them to control our spending and consumption habits. 
• We avoid impulse purchases at all costs, and usually agree upon the "need" for a purchase at least a month or two before we actually buy it. This helps our budget and ensures that we really want/need it.
• We buy quality over quantity, like with our new vacuum. 
• We try to buy used. some times this doesn't work due to our quality criteria, but I bought Hubby a sweet Weber barbecue from Craigslist last Father's Day.
• We think about the life-cycle of the item once we've purchased it and ask these simple questions: 
• How long do we expect it to last? 
• Will it be reusable? Or recyclable?
• How quickly will it end up in  our garbage can to head to the landfill?

There are obviously other factors that go into our decision making for some things, but you can get the picture. Asking these questions, thinking about them and talking with each other has helped us limit our spending, our clutter and our impact on the Earth. 

Now limiting stuff isn't as easy with kids, but I've save that topic for another day. 

How do you decide what your family needs?

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Sustainable Family Finances 
The story of a family creating an abundant and sustainable life.

After putting Girly to bed and kissing the Boys goodbye, I headed for a rare treat of an intellectual night out. I was jazzed to see my new personal guru Annie Leonard, the intrepid "host" of The Story of Stuff at my favorite place: Powell's City of Books. 

It's hard to express how energized her talk made me feel. I feel like we both just touched the tip of the iceberg. I found so many personal connections to her own story. Like Annie, I've been thinking and learning about environmental/social issues for twenty years. Annie talked about how peers told her that she needed to get out of her head and listen to her heart. One of the wisest people I've ever known, tribal elder Grandma Aggie, once told me that the longest journey we will ever take is 9 inches, from our head to our heart. Like Annie, I've had my own challenge of taking issues and myself too seriously and I feel like I'm finally finding my voice by sharing my story in bite-size blog posts. Unlike me, Annie has already reached over 8 million people worldwide with her video! Like me, Annie is an activist at heart. I started my career in the non-profit world as a climate activist, and now consider myself an "online activist" and I've already shared some of my favorite organizations/causes with you (check activism category). In spite of being highly educated about the issues, Annie is also hopeful. She reminded me of my all-time favorite quote, the Hopi Nation Prayer, which ends like this:

"The time of the lone wolf is over. Gather yourselves!
Banish the word struggle from your attitude and your vocabulary.
All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration.
We are the ones we've been waiting for."

Suffice to say, Annie's story left me totally inspired.

So, I broke a cardinal rule, and bought her new book. Annie even signed it to "Green Mama" so if you're in Portland, I'd love to share it with as many Mamas as possible. I'd also encourage you to consider buying a copy yourself (already on the NY Times best seller list!) to share amongst your friends.

The Story of Stuff: How Our Obsession with Stuff Is Trashing the Planet, Our Communities, and Our Health-And a Vision for Change


Lastly, Annie's message resonates so deeply with me that I can't help but share more with you about her book as I read it. I hope you'll make the connections with me and together we will find ways to live in sustainable abundance, without all the toxic stuff!


Are you an Annie Leonard fan? 
Who inspires you?


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Sustainable Family Finances 
The story of a family creating an abundant and sustainable life.

You might want to plan on spending more money on your family's basic water and sewer utility costs in the near future and for generations to come. The amount may vary depending on your location, U.S. or otherwise, but the trend is definitely upward. 


Before I go any further on this topic, I want to give a big hallelujah for being eternally grateful that my family enjoys these "services" for a relatively minimal price. It is awe-inspiring that generations before us were able to accomplish such engineering feets, and gut wrenching to know how many people around the planet cannot rely on this simple "luxury."

Water
In p-town you can buy 4 gallons clean water for a penny!  So if you're trying to save your family some money, don't even think of grabbing some bottled water...but do watch the new video! 

Even though the current distributions systems are pretty inexpensive, aging infrastructure is going to be costly to maintain. Public underfunding of this critical human service needs to be addressed. Most Americans spend way more on bottled beverages than we do for all the water we use to drink, bathe, wash everything, play...you get the point! (More info on EPA's Water Infrastructure page)

While traditionally known for advocating to protect and restore rivers, American Rivers is now campaigning to maintain a cost-effective water supply and fund clean water infrastructure in order to prevent pollution. This is not your typical sexy mega-fauna activism topic, but what would the burden be on on our children's generation if we don't pay for the infrastructure maintenance now?


Sewers
Certainly less glamorous than a glass of clean tap water, our sewers that whisk away waste and storm water are like an unsung hero in the world of city infrastructure. Storm water is the top source of non-point pollution; meaning we don't really know where its coming from, but it's being gathered off roofs and streets and in many cases flushed to the river.


Sewers/storm water management can also go a long way toward continuing existing urban environmental problems or being part of the solution. Green stormwater solutions actually cost less than traditional discharge fees, but industries and municipalities have to be proactive.

Recently the "sewer" portion of utility bills actually explains that we each pay a Portland Harbor Superfund charge. River clean-up actually hasn't begun yet, since industry is bickering over who is most potentially responsible, but the bottom line is that we are starting to pick up what will amount to be a very big tab to restore the river. Check out Willamette Riverkeepers' site for more info on how to get involved. 

Do you think your water/sewer rates are fair?
What would pay to buy the convenience of reliable infrastructure? 

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Sustainable Family Finances  The story of a family creating an abundant and sustainable life.

I've been an advocate of tap water for a long time. I was outraged the first time I saw a bottle of Fiji brand water, I had just returned from this South Pacific paradise and couldn't believe that someone was getting rich exploiting Fijian resources. On the remote island where I stayed local Fijians barely had access to clean water and were experiencing fish storages (a.k.a. going hungry). Fiji also happens to be 5,000 miles away!!! I wondered how they could possibly afford to make a "profit," Annie's brief video explains how:

Back on the mainland, in Portland there's an I Love Tap Water campaign. I sport several fun stickers on my stainless steel water bottle, but I feel like this doesn't go far enough any more. I really like how Annie advocates for public investment in water infrastructure. There is also more info on the Story of Stuff about simple and powerful actions your family can take.

Has your family taken a pledge to drink only tap water?
Are you ready to take more actions to end this "manufactured demand"?

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Sustainable Family Finances 
The story of a family creating an abundant and sustainable life.

My first SOLV beach clean-up was sometime in my teens, and it had a big impact personally. It was empowering see volunteers dotting the beach on a common mission to restore the beach to its natural beauty and remove the hazards of humanity. I don't know if I should feel proud or disgusted, but SOLV reported over 50,000 pounds of garbage removed at the last beach clean-up. I haven't participated in a formal beach clean-up since college, and I'm ready to make this a family tradition. It's a simple and fun way to feel both an immediate gratification and a long term connection, both socially and environmentally. 

We're also going to be "yurting" with friends at a campground, which will certainly make it an affordable getaway. If you haven't been to a yurt before, they are semi-permanent tents (originally from Mongolian nomads.) Oregon's state park yurts include beds to sleep up to five people with lighting and small heaters. Yurts are like hybrid-camping with basic amenities in a campground atmosphere, and a great way to get in nature during the off season. We'll get a campfire and s'mores without the need to bundle up like marshmallows ourselves. We're also not going to be roughing it entirely as we're staying near a small coastal town and will be grabbing pizza on Friday night and planning brunch on Sunday. My only advice is to plan early, at least in Oregon, yurts are so popular that they are booked six months in advance...so plan your next family adventure soon!

Do you participate in clean-ups with your family?
How about yurting?

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Sustainable Family Finances 
The story of a family creating an abundant and sustainable life.

PS The Spring 2010 beach clean-up totaled over 70,500 pounds! 

I don't know about you, but I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with to-do lists. My Hubby teases me because I have multiple lists: grocery lists, weekly, monthly, longer term, camping list, party list, life list...a list for almost any occasion. I vacillate between feeling like my to-do lists keep me very productive and inspired, and feeling like they make my dreams appear further away than they really are.

I'll be honest that while I'm really good at dreaming up my longer term goals and envisioning how I want things to go, it can sometimes feel like the day-to-day demands trump my deeper desires. So, I'm continuing with my baby step strategy and I hope that you'll cut yourself some slack too. Reminding myself to live in the moment and be grateful for the abundance we have already created.

The other challenge is that while Hubby isn't in the habit of writing down things, he does have his own mental list of things he wants to accomplish and do as a family. Communication isn't always easy with two small kiddos who want every ounce of your attention. So, sometimes there's a disconnect.


How do you manage your family's "to-do" list?
What's at the top of your list?

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Sustainable Family Finances 
The story of a family creating an abundant and sustainable life.

As a busy working Mama, I'm constanting adding items to my grocery list and am rarely as willing to head to the store. Because we take the bus to work, I can't stop to grab something on my way home from work (which is probably a theoretical convenience.) So, I'm left trying to stock up for the week on Saturdays, which usually blows at least two hours of "free time."


I love budget-friendly solutions...drum roll please...sign up for home grocery delivery! Spud is our local home delivery grocer of choice, and I'm actually just getting back into this practice (I actually got a Groupon for $25 to get $50 worth).

Previously they only offered produce and though delicious we had a hard time guaging how much we needed, especially during harvest time. I'm very excited by how much they have added lately; they now offer milk products, eggs, meat, baked goods and lots of pantry staples. Now we can order enough for a weekly delivery without feeling like we're forced to eat nine fruits and veggies a day, not that it would be a bad thing for us... 


If you haven't used a home delivery service before you may wonder - How can delivery save your family money? How can you trust the quality? How is this a more sustainable option? Here are my top reasons:

1. They guarantee fresh produce, and it's always fresher since delivery from field to your house is faster. I was really astounded with my first delivery.
2. They create a weekly price comparison to prove that you are getting a real deal (in Portland with New Season's and Safeway).
3. They tell you how many miles your food has traveled, which is sometimes impossible to find in grocery stores.
4. Buying online is really easy, you can set recurring items (weekly, every other week, etc.) and since I know that my family will always need certain items, this really a no-brainer. You can make lists, like for your pantry, snacks, etc. Once you've got it set up it should take you less than the time it probably takes to get to the store. Plus, you can plan family meals better and you're not as likely to forget key items.
5. They offset the carbon footprint of delivery, which actually lower with delivery than it would be to get goods from one warehouse to multiple grocers and shoppers driving too.
6. I find it much easier to stick to a budget and not over-purchase. Lately I've been stopped by a Whole Wallet near our local library for a few items, and I can never get out of the store for less than $50!

If you'd like to try Spud out you can save $25 over your first 4 deliveries. Simply go to www.spud.com and sign-up using promo code CR5-147718. (They have delivery in Portland, Seattle, San Fransisco, Los Angeles and several Canadian cities).

Have you tried a home delivery service?
If you try them out, please leave a comment with your experience!

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Sustainable Family Finances 
The story of a family creating an abundant and sustainable life.

I know you may seriously be wondering what kind of spring cleaning bug I've caught, but I am in love with our new vacuum cleaner!


Here's the back story:
Hubby and I bought a cheap Hoover when we moved in together just shy of ten years ago. It was a pretty momentous step in our relationship, as he insisted that we purchase it together...it may as well have been a proposal! So while it was never anything special, it got the job done. But for the past two years our vacuum has teetered on the edge of the dumpster, and I was glad to see it get through the holidays in tact. So, I wasn't shocked to come home and find it on front porch in pieces (yes, I'm lucky enough to have a Hubby who vacuums!).


There have been a few "Green" vacuum cleaners to hit the market recently, and I looked into these models:

• Eureka sells a "Eco-Friendlier" line of vacuums
• Siemens has a vacuum that it claims uses 50% less energy
• Electrolux - Ultrasilencer Green (not on the American market)

Yet, I didn't want our decision to be entirely driven by eco-marketing. Our criteria for a new vacuum were pretty simple:

• Longevity - buying things that are built to last means less waste and resources
• Local - we wanted to support the local economy (Stark's)
• Repairs & Recycling - the shop we chose also repairs and recycles vacuum parts
• Responsible company - while Simplicity isn't big into eco-marketing, they are all about quality. Machines are American made which ensures better wages and some environmental standards, plus it didn't have to be shipped from Asia.

Plus, these are some of the whistles that sold us on the model we bought: HEPA filters, cloth filters, best for hard wood floors, very quiet, compact for carrying up/down stairs, adjustable suction, on/off brush roller, horse hair brushes, retracting cord...and yes, our BigGuy thinks its the new family toy, and yes, the best part is that Hubby still does the majority our vacuuming, and no, it doesn't hurt that it's my favorite color! :-) 


Lastly, while it wasn't a cheap disposable vacuum cleaner, it didn't entirely break the bank. We bought our new vacuum (Simplicity Snap) for $360. For a purchase that we hope will last us at least ten years, it's worth the price. What's next? We're hoping to repair our clunker before donating it, and then play when the vacuum some more... 


Do you pay for quality on long-term purchases? Will you buy an "eco-vacuum"?



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Sustainable Family Finances 
The story of a family creating an abundant and sustainable life.

Take three minutes from your Monday to check out this interview with the visionary Seventh Generation co-founder. He is really the type of leader business needs to make the shift toward sustainability and corporate responsibility. It's refreshing see some of the corporate partnerships taking place lately. Nike has been trying to find sustainable solutions for fifteen years now, and now has a program sharing its sustainability "trade secrets" to other companies who want to further their sustainable practices. It's also important from the consumer perspective, I love when he says "they've made it easy to make good sustainable decisions." 


This is one of the core reasons I started this blog, because I believe every family wants to live well without harming the Earth. It's a matter of finding the resources and having the social support to reach your goals. 




Do you think companies can be truly responsible? 
Which green companies are your favorite?


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Sustainable Family Finances 
The story of a family creating an abundant and sustainable life.

A co-worker and friend is having a housing warming party, which gets me thinking about green gifts.

• House plants - Is there a better way to bring a little bit of nature inside than house plants? I love house plants and they are one of my favorite gifts to give (and receive). Many are very easy to propagate, and I often will snap off a piece (or my kids do it for me) and put in a vase until it roots. Yet, I also realize that not everyone is has a green thumb, so I try to only give ones that are easy to grow. Here some more favorites: prayer plant, Christmas cactus, philodendron, spider plant, wandering jew, asparagus ferns and jade plant (a symbol of prosperity). Aloe is perfect for kitchens in case of burns. House plants shared by friends can also become like family, my Mom has an angel-wing begonia from a friend since before I was born, and I have a plant from the same cutting.
• Candles - Nothing warms a room like candles, but you want to make sure you give (and use) "green" ones. Many candles are petroleum based and some are made with a thin wire of lead in the wick (to help with dripping) obviously not good for your own environment. Pacifica is my favorite candle-maker (and soap, lotion...)
• Herbs - It's very cost-effective to grow your own herbs for your pantry. Yet, you'll find that come harvest time there's almost always a surplus. Everyone could stand to refresh their herbs (I know I'm in need!), and moving is a great time to do it.
• Seeds - After the blossoms fade it's easy to collect seeds from your favorite flowers (or even in a friend's yard), and they make perfect gifts.

Sharing things like seeds and herbs can be a great way to earn some social capital. Enjoy sharing the wealth!

What gifts do you give for a house warming?

Do you bring hostess gifts?

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Sustainable Family Finances 
The story of a family creating an abundant and sustainable life.

Many families wonder, what would it cost to own a dog? Well, since last summer we've been finding out for ourselves.


Last July we adopted our loving Doggy, a very large purebred black labrador who needed a family who would give him lots of exercise and lovin'. Our decision was somewhat on a whim, so we were pretty naive about it all and I hadn't given much thought to how much he would add to our monthly budget. Thankfully he hasn't broken the bank yet, but here's the rundown on things you might want to think about as a new dog owner.


Adoption: Adoption is definitely the most cost-effective option. Unfortunately, due to the recession there are still many pets who have been given up and need a new home. The good news is that there are a lot of terrific pets available, and you'll save a lot. Our Doggy was almost 5 when we got him, and had complete vet records which clearly showed that even a healthy puppy can be pretty expensive. We saved ourselves a lot of initial costs, and didn't even end up paying a shelter fee because we adopted through a co-worker.


Supplies: While you have to really assess needs versus wants, there are still several supplies that come with dog owner territory: tags, leash, bowl, bed, brush, soap, chuck it, Frisbee and a Kong. You'll also need several ongoing things: dog food, treats, dental bones and peanut butter for the Kong. We checked out books from the library, and researched online. Our start-up costs were almost $200, and our ongoing expenses average $40-50 per month.


Boarding: We've really lucked out on boarding, since I have a dog loving co-worker who has generously taken care of our Doggy on several occasions (we had several weekend trips planned before we adopted). I did spend $50 on a yoga gift certificate over the holidays as a token of our appreciation. If we hadn't had such social capital handy, we would have to pay $35 per night. 


Vehicle: Truthfully, it first really crossed my mind as we driving to meet our beloved Doggy that we might need to purchase a larger vehicle as a result of our new family member. This is especially true because of our love for camping, which as a family of four means a car packed to the rooftop. We are both a bit reluctant to buy a minivan, but our Doggy may push the issue earlier than we had hoped. We are going to try out a large rooftop carrier first...we'll let you know the verdict after a cabin trip planned for May.


There are plenty of extensive resources on the costs of dog ownership if you want to consider it further. 


Lastly, the decision to own a dog is not all about the expense though, and there are may "payoffs" that can't be accounted for. We love going on walks as a family with our Doggy and playing fetch in the backyard. He provides free daily exercise and a mental break, as Hubby wakes up at 5:30 to walk him (part of the reason this blog is always set to post at 5:30). The first Girly giggles and BigGuy lessons are priceless. Plus, he's now family.


Does your family have a dog, what expenses have surprised you?


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Sustainable Family Finances 
The story of a family creating an abundant and sustainable life.

After chatting with your significant other about your dreams and finances, and once you choose a bank that invests in your values, I've got another item for you to consider.

Do you have a network of people who support your own goals of living in sustainable abundance? Do you know your neighbors? Do you have a proverbial safety net for your family?

Most financial advisors recommend that one of the first things you should do after paying off any debt is create an emergency fund, but what seems to be undervalued in our society is social capital.


Social capital is about creating mutually beneficial relationships of caring and reciprocity. It's about sharing our talents and interests in a unique relationship that builds bonds and creates a dynamic network of giving. I found a fun post on Aha-Moments that shares a story of how a family going away on vacation gave away green tomatoes to neighbors who had helped them in a variety of ways. Its about developing a network that sustains your family in ways that money really cannot.

Social capital is essential to creating sustainability, and build networks to create social change. Paul Krugman talks about the need for accelerated social change and its relationship to social capital. The creator of the Story of Stuff would also have to agree:

"So the number one thing to do is to hook up with others who share your values and start making some real change." - Annie Leonard from Umbra interview on Grist

Now on a practical day-to-day busy-family level, I understand that creating social capital is not at the top of the to-do list (laundry seems to trump all!) Yet, I would encourage you to look a month or two in the future and plan just one way to create social capital.


In our family, we moved a year and a half ago (about five miles), and even though we've made our best effort to reach out to our neighbors, I feel like we're just beginning to really scratch the social capital surface. Perhaps the best thing we've done was to host a neighborhood BBQ last summer. We ended up meeting several neighbors who we hadn't managed to meet in our first year on the block. Everyone had a really nice time, and I got everyone's contact info for when we want/need to get in touch. Similarly, a co-worker hosts an annual neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt. I'm hoping this summer we'll be able to create more social capital and dig a little deeper to develop more community ties.

How does your family create social capital? 
Has there been a time you wish you had more?

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Sustainable Family Finances  The story of a family creating an abundant and sustainable life.



PS In case you are actually interested in some academic research on the subject, here is an excerpt from my Master's thesis, June 2005 - Antioch University Seattle:

In order to create a sustainable place to live, the social relationships that build a community must be nurtured. Learning about the importance of social capital is one approach to understanding why cities need to value community. Social capital has been defined as:

“the features of social organization, such as networks, norms and social trust that facilitate coordination and cooperation for mutual benefit” (Putnam, 1995, p.67).

A broader definition is given by Coleman, who describes social capital as:

‘‘a variety of different entities, with two elements in common: they all consist of some aspect of social structure, and they facilitate certain actions of actors—whether personal or corporate actors—within the structure’’ (1988, p. 598).

While, Woolcock (2001) argues that a relative consensus has been struck among scholars on the definition of social capital as referring to ‘‘the norms and

networks that facilitate collective action’’ (p. 70).

In recent years, the study of social capital has branched beyond its origins of sociology (Coleman, 1988) to applied studies of governance (Bowles and Gintis, 2000), health care (Leyden, 2003), and environmental planning (Rydin and Pennington, 2000). Assessing the value of social capital became in vogue with the seminal research (Putnam, 1993), and popular book, Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community (Putnam, 2000).

Social scientists have identified two types of social capital, referred to as “bonding” and “bridging” (Gittell and Vidal, 1998). Bonding capital is created between people who have an existing social proximity their neighborhood, career or perhaps family friends. Interestingly bonding capital has a strong connection to creating class, and is employed in either “getting by” or “getting ahead” depending on your class status (Granovetter, 1973). Bridging capital is considerably less common and is developed by crossing societal boundaries such as race or class, which are often inhibiting factors in social relations. This type of social capital was formed during the civil rights movement (Putnam, 2000), and which could be generated more in the environmental movement.

Social capital is a factor that influences a community’s ability to implement comprehensive sustainable design (Pretty and Ward, 2001). This is particularly due to the ability of social capital to enhance public participation in local decision-making;

“Social capital is also self-reinforcing when exchanges and reciprocity increase connectedness between people, leading to greater trust, which, in turn, enhances collective decision-making confidence and capacity to innovate” (Brunckhorst, 2002, p. 110).

Furthermore, “social capital is closely related to what some have called ‘civic virtue’. As is well known, civic virtue is linked to active citizenship, the political dimension of people’s identities” (Evers, 2003, p. 14). This so-called civic virtue is essential to working for the common good, and developing long-term community partnerships. The dynamic nature of social capital is important to understand if we are to create a sustainable city.

As I mentioned in yesterday's Money Honey post, we've decided to switch all of our banking to ShoreBank Pacific. This is a pretty significant step for us, since we've had an ongoing discussion/debate about where our family should bank for several years actually. We both previously had accounts at Washington Mutual, now Chase, mostly for the "free" checking. Here's the brief back story about our change of heart:


An environmental economics course back in grad school is what first prompted me to switch my banking to Albina Community Bank. I couldn't help but choose a local community bank once I began to learn and think about how my own money can either cause environmental destruction globally or fund people and businesses locally. The interconnections tend to be out of sight and out of mind for most of us, and I certainly can't claim to know the precise impact of my finances. Yet, I'm pretty sure that our cumulative impact is fairly significant. 


Our decision to switch to ShoreBank is based on the mission, the story, and our family finance needs. Above all the reason we want to switch is because they are the first American bank with a banking mission that combines sustainability and managing your finances:

ShoreBank Pacific profitably assists businesses, and through them their communities, to be sustainable in economic, social, and environmental practices.

Sustainable reasons to switch:

• Practices the "Triple Bottom Line" - Economy, Environment and Community
• Accredited through The Natural Step
• Purchases carbon offsets
• Innovative green projects need funding - rural and urban projects

Personal finance reasons to switch: 

• Offers complete online banking
• Offers checking, savings, IRAs, even EcoKids accounts
• Simple to have everything in one place (Before I still hadn't convinced Hubby to let go of our ING accounts, and now we're planning to move everything but our retirement)

Lastly, we like the feel of the place; it doesn't even look like a bank, not one teller in their branch! If you can't tell, I'm excited about making the switch. Despite the initial effort, I'm certain that the long term impact of switching our family funds will be worth it.

Are you satisfied with your family's bank? 
Do you do your banking online? 

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Sustainable Family Finances 
This blog is the story of a family creating an abundant and sustainable life.