The Green Familia » Things To Do

Guest Post: Hit the Slopes While Still Protecting the Environment

Brenda — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 08:00:18 +0000

For the skiing, snowboarding and other wintertime enthusiasts or those who just want to take in the scenery and refreshing air that a ski area provides, there are ways to make a winter trip to the slopes enjoyable and beneficial for the environment.

You may not think that a day or weekend on the slopes has much of an impact on the environment, but it certainly does. As it turns out, such winter activities can and do disturb the natural environment that in many parts of the world lays undisturbed for months at a time in the winter.

If you think that activities such as skiing do not have an impact on the environment, consider:

The majority of downhill skiing pursuits occur on prepared slopes, meaning a number of trees have been removed and the land has been worked over in order to make for a worthwhile run;
With more resorts having to rely on artificial snowmaking due to warm spells across the country in recent winters, this means more exposure to chemicals at times which are added to provide the making of snow crystals;
Wildlife can be and is impacted in order for ski trails to be maintained. With more animal habitats being disturbed, there is an overall effect on the environment;
Given most people need to use vehicles to get to and from ski resorts, more gas emissions take place, unlike in summer when there is more outdoor activity such as biking to and from locales.

Some folks have taken the initiative to make sure that individuals get the best of both worlds in the wintertime – fun activities and exercise while the environment is more carefully cared for.

Among the things to consider is:

Cross country skiing – This activity does not require graded slopes and ski lifts, meaning there is less of an impact on the overall environment.
Recycle as much as possible – It comes as no surprise that drinks like coffee, hot chocolate and tea are popular when paired with wintertime activities. Make sure you recycle cups, cans and bottles so that they are not ending up in a landfill in piles of trash;
Conserve water – When you head back to your hotel room, reuse towels and linens when possible in order to cut down on water usage by the cleaning staff;
Don’t litter – It may seem like not a big deal to drop small amounts of litter while on a ski lift or traipsing through the snow, but each time one does that it contributes to damaging the environment;
Don’t disturb wildlife areas – Given that the downhill slopes have already impacted the area wildlife, don’t go off on side paths where you could further disturb wildlife that is looking for a sanctuary;
Go green with your resort choice – When searching for a place to stay, track down a green resort. Look for a spot to stay that recycles products and is pro-environment. You can search for resorts that are proponents of micro hydropower systems and wind turbines for starters, which offset damage to the environment and overall energy costs. Some resorts are also proponents of composting programs and providing shuttle services that cut down on the amount of personal vehicles coming into and out of the resorts.

By all means, this is not a knock on skiers, resorts and anyone else who wants to get out and enjoy wintertime weather around the world this month and a few more to follow.

When doing so, however, take a few minutes to remember the environment and how you can slide into a better time for all.

Photo credit: msnbc.msn.com

Dave Thomas, who covers among other items small business loans, writes extensively for Business.com, an online resource destination for businesses of all sizes to research, find, and compare the products and services they need to run their businesses.

Guest Post: When to Replenish Your Stock of De-Icing Salt

Brenda — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 11:00:12 +0000

Unlike the previous couple of years winter has, so far, been reasonably kind to us. Indeed experts have even been telling us that 2011 was the second mildest Christmas since records began.

This run of unseasonably warm weather has meant that the council gritters, and their mountains of de-icing salt, have barely seen any action in comparison to previous years. However the weather men are now starting to get a little twitchy, with many predicting that winter is indeed on its way, which will see the country’s army of gritter lorries take to the road in force, spreading road salt across the county’s highways, helping them to remain open and stay safe.

Of course it’s not just public roads that will suffer when winter eventually decides to make an appearance, pavements and cycle routes as well as private roads and driveways will also require attention. Whilst local councils will attend to pavements and cycle lanes in the most severe weather conditions, businesses and private individuals will be expected to fend for themselves.

Last year saw many people afraid of taking to the streets to help clear pavements, fearing they may be held responsible should anyone slip on the area they had cleared. However several councils moved to reassure locals by confirming that this was not the case and that the public and private businesses could rest assured that clearing and spreading de-icing road salt on the walkways in front of their homes and businesses should not see them being held accountable for slips and falls.

Whilst anyone is free to use the salt stored in community salt bins for public footpaths, pavements and roads, it is not for private use and must not be used on private roads, car parks, driveways and paths. Such areas are the responsibility of the individual home or business owner and, as such, they should be equally prepared by purchasing their own stocks of de-icing salt.

The milder weather has also played havoc with Britain’s plants and animals with the first signs of spring being spotted in parks and gardens as early as Christmas day. Blossom, snowdrops and daffodils are already bloom and butterflies and bumblebees are already in flight. Whilst these yearly events are lovely to see, there is a real risk that extensive damage due to frost, ice and snow may still occur.

So when should you stock up your supplies of de-icing salt for 2021? Well, according to James Madden, a UK Long Range Forecaster for ExactaWeather.com, the answer is now.

Madded predicts cold and snow for both Scotland and northern England for later January with February predicted as the most likely month to see severe weather.

Mr Madded write “February should prevail further in comparison to January, and this is when I feel we are likely to see the most severe part of this winter. A cold start to spring 2012 is also possible, with some especially heavy and widespread snowfalls across Britain and parts of Ireland.”

When then time does come it is important to take care when spreading your de-icing salt. Obviously you need to use enough that is has the desired effect. However, try not to let any get into your flower beds or on the lawn, as it will have a detrimental impact on growing capabilities once spring really does arrive.

Guest Post: Family Cycling in the UK

Brenda — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 08:00:23 +0000

Here in the UK we aren’t lucky enough to have the cycling culture that some of our European neighbours enjoy. The bike lanes of Amsterdam are famous and Paris has about 10,000 state-owned bikes circulating around, free for anyone to use for the first half hour. Some British cities are making real efforts to introduce similar schemes, install cycle lanes and get more commuters out of cars and onto bikes, but we’re still quite a way behind the pace when it comes to national cycling.

At least, that’s true on the roads and in the cities. We actually have some excellent car-free cycle paths- you probably only have to look as far as the nearest country park to find well kept, pleasant cycling trails the whole family can enjoy without ever having to worry about negotiating dangerous traffic.

Every parent will need to teach their kids about cycling around cars one day, but there is no reason why you can’t enjoy some quality cycling time in a gentler environment too. For the little ones, country park cycling is a great (and safe) way to start out on two wheels, and for older kids it’s perfect for getting them active and having fun in the great outdoors.

If you can’t find a suitable country park near you, take a look at what the Forestry Commission has to offer. They maintain about 1000km of cycling trails in England alone and there are many more in other parts of the country. Some, like Bedgebury in the South East, are quite close to urban areas.

Many of our cycling trails also have something more on offer- fishing, birdwatching, and picnics are just as popular as riding bikes, if not more so. There may well be a site of historical interest nearby, or a café. A long bike ride feels much more rewarding if there is a cup of hot chocolate waiting at the end so it’s well worth doing a little internet research before deciding on your route.

As the kids get older they might want to have a go at something a little more challenging. Mountain biking is growing fast as a sport. Dedicated centres are popping up all over the place, from Cwmcarn Forest in South Wales to Dalby Forest in Yorkshire. Almost all mountain biking centres (and a good few country parks and Forestry Commission sites) have bike hire facilities on-site. The best ones also provide a wide variety of carefully groomed and graded routes, so you can start out on the easy ones first. When you feel confident enough to move on to harder stuff, you’ll find special features like jumps and banked turns built into the trail.

Taking the family out for a cycle around the city streets might be tricky, but no matter where you live in the UK there is almost certainly a beautiful country park nearby, some woodlands trails that can be explored by bike, or a mountain biking centre. Getting out there makes a great, active day out and will give your kids the skills they need to cycle safely in other places too. Every family should try it at least once!

Jess Spate is a professional data analyst and a committed rock climber, cyclist, surfer, environmental campaigner and lover of the great outdoors. She lives in South Wales- a place with more than its fair share of natural beauty- and is a regular contributor to the South Wales Parks and Gardens website

Guest Post: Hosting an Eco-Friendly Holiday Party

Brenda — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 07:52:49 +0000

The holidays can certainly be hectic, but if part of your seasonal tradition includes hosting a party for your closest family and friends, you’re not likely to let the hustle and bustle of shopping and shipping, cooking and eating, and hanging decorations stop you from doing the one thing you really love during the holidays. But if you’ve developed an awareness of the environment and the many ways in which consumerism is dragging it down, you may be a bit reticent to bust out the paper plates, streamers, and other assorted products that are not so eco-friendly. In fact, the seemingly insurmountable task of greening up the works during the holidays could leave you saying “bah humbug” and throwing in the towel. But don’t despair! There are eco-friendly ways to do just about everything these days, and your green holiday party could end up being a lot easier than you suspect.

The first thing you probably want to think about is the food, since that’s what most everyone will be expecting. And whether you hire a catering company, you cook your own seasonal favorites, or you ransack the frozen foods aisle for easy-to-make hors d’oeuvres, you can find eco-friendly ways to go about it. Well, actually, you probably want to skip the frozen stuff. For one thing, it’s very hard to find organic options in frozen food (although not impossible), they’re generally shipped all over the place (creating greenhouse gas emissions every step of the way), and frozen stuff has so much sodium (and other additives) that you’re really doing your guests a disservice by feeding it to them. Yuck.

As for catering, you should seek out companies that support local farming operations and stick to organic options. Or if you want to cut costs and cook your own, look for local and organic foods at your grocery store. Even small towns often have at least one locally-owned store that features such products.

Next you’ll want to consider décor, and this is where you can have a lot of fun. You’ve probably got some plans for holiday decorations already (perhaps a potted tree or traditional hangings for the mantle, the bannister, or the front door). But you can really make your party special with DIY decorations. Forget about paper products and go fancy with cloth napkins and tablecloths made from organic textiles (BTW, totally reusable for many years to come). And for your centerpiece, fill a bowl with seasonal fruits or nuts, or simply head outdoors to pick up some fallen pinecones and branches for a gorgeous, easy, and eco-friendly display. And when it comes to setting the table, look to the folks at worldcentric.org for plates, cups, flatware, and more that is all sustainably made and biodegradable. Then set out some organic soy candles and you’re good to go!

Finally, you’ll probably want some entertainment. And for the holidays, this is a pretty easy order to fill. Simply ask a musically talented friend to play/sing some carols by the fire or get everyone into coats and hats to spread the cheer through the neighborhood. Of course, singing only goes so far, so after that you can bust out a round of charades (always fun after people have had a couple of drinks), or do a reading of holiday classics, if everyone would rather rest than play.

Kyle Simpson is a contributing writer for Zen Arts, the premier event and production company offering Cirque performers Los Angeles and much more.

Guest Post: Green Ways to Pack for a Road Trip to a Sports Game

Brenda — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 08:00:14 +0000

To (kind of) paraphrase Kermit the Frog, it ain’t easy going green. The effort involves more than turning off a light or placing a brick in the toilet tank. Any devoted sports fan knows that a road trip to a game is a must at least once or twice a season. You can go green and still enjoy all the fun of getting to the game.

Bring Water, Skip the Bottle

Instead of bringing bottles of water, bring an insulated thermos bottle. Not only does this help keep your drinks cool or hot, but a thermos can easily be rinsed out and reused. Take a big thermos (the kind poured over coaches after a win) for longer trips with a larger group of people. This is an excellent way to be prepared for a tailgate party since the thermos can be filled with your beverage of choice. If you do stop somewhere to get something to eat along the way, ask if they have a reusable cup you can purchase instead of the standard disposable paper cup.

Plastic Containers: Not Evil

Alright, plastic is supposed to be about as anti-green as you can get, but compared to disposable paper and plastic bags, it is a good thing. Pack all food you plan to take into plastic containers with airtight lids. Unlike little plastic bags or brown paper bags, well-made plastic containers can last for a long time. They can also be used to carry baby wipes, clean diapers, fresh fruits and vegetables, and other little snacks. Carry all your plastic containers in a biodegradable cloth bag and you’re all set. Some stadiums and arenas have restrictions on bottles and coolers so check ahead to avoid any hassle.

Go Digital

You cannot have a road trip to a sports game without taking something to capture the moment. Bring your digital camera or simply use your phone. Batteries in these devices are designed to last much longer than traditional alkaline batteries, despite what some battery manufacturers lead you to believe. Digital camcorders let you capture all the pregame fun. Remember that some stadiums do not allow digital devices; however, you can still leave them in your car to capture before and after game memories.

Plan Your Route

Aside from heading to the big game in a hybrid vehicle, an easy way to go green when planning your next sports road trip is to cut down on your driving time. Fill your tank before you go to avoid unnecessary stops along the way. Check traffic reports to avoid gridlock. Map out the route to the game, noting the most direct way to get there. If your route to the game is on heavily-traveled roads, consider taking side streets or secondary streets to avoid congestion.

Going green should be a part of everything we do in our lives, including planning your next sports road trip. A little planning before your next road trip to see your favorite team in action reduces your carbon footprint as you cheer on your team.

Author Bio:

Nancy Zimmer writes for Ticket Liquidator, a website dedicated to helping sports fans find the best prices on Winter Classic Tickets and other sporting events.

Guest Post: 3 Great Indoor Activities for the Whole Family…Even Grandma and Grandpa!

Brenda — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 11:00:56 +0000

Game-makers over the years have done a remarkable job of catering to the various generations of players. Young children enjoy educational games from infancy, and their parents enjoy adult games for parties. The middle generation, heavily influenced by technology, find entertainment in computers and video-games displaying graphics that match the latest trends in hi-def. As a result, it is now rare to see a family gathering where everyone can participate in the same form of entertainment. In most instances the adults enjoy conversations about work and politics while the kids partake in video-game battles in den. The following indoor games are certain to entertain game enthusiasts of all ages, bringing family together in unified play.

The first all-family game we’ll explore is a gaming standard: “Guesstures.” A high-speed version of charades, “Guesstures” challenges its players to work against a clock. To play, teams take turns during rounds electing one person from their team to be in the ‘hot-seat’ behind the timer. Four cards are drawn, each displaying an easy word and a hard word. The player in the hot-seat is responsible for choosing one word from each card to act out to their teammates in hopes that they’ll correctly guess the word. Points are given when the team succeeds, and more points are awarded for teams guessing the more difficult word. Sounds pretty simple, but don’t forget about the timer! If players aren’t quick in guessing, the timer machine will ‘consume’ their card and they must forfeit that word.

For those interested in entertaining activities that do not require the purchase of a physical game, “Celebrities” is another whole-family game with little set-up and loads of fun. Before the game every player selects five celebrities and writes the celebrities’ names on a piece of paper. All papers are folded and put into a bowl, and teams are divided. Similar to in the previous game, teams take turns playing rounds. One player from the team starts in the hot-seat, draws a celebrity out of the bowl, and tries to get their teammates to guess correctly. The catch? Talking is allowed! Instead of just acting out the celebrity, the hot-seat player can use words and even full sentences to describe their celebrity in a way that their team might guess who it is. To make the game even more inclusive to all ages, try allowing popular fictional characters to be celebrities as well! Characters from books, movies, and cartoons all make for fun and interesting celebrities, and help bridge the generation gap.

A final family-fun gaming option growing in popularity is “Apples 2 Apples.” The game consists of two types of cards: red and green. Red cards contain nouns: people, places, things, events, and ideas. At the beginning of the game each player is given seven red cards (seven nouns). During the game players take turns being the ‘judge.’ The judge selects one green card to play for that round, containing an adjective. Once the adjective has been named, the other players must choose one of their red cards to play: the red card containing the noun they feel best fits the adjective given. If their choice wins the round, they get to keep the green card. The player with the most green cards in the end wins!

By invoking play that feeds on imagination, these games unite players of all ages in the spirit of creativity and fun. Try one out at your next family gathering, and watch how the evening is transformed!

Author Bio:

Megan writes for Assisted Living Today, a leading source of information on senior care providing an Assisted Living Missouri guide.

Guest Post: Eco-Friendly Pursuits for Pregnant Women

Brenda — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 11:00:26 +0000

Some people think that when pregnancy occurs, women suddenly become incapable of leading the active lifestyles they had before they entered into this “delicate” state. In truth, there are some precautions that must be taken to ensure the health and safety of a fetus as it grows (no heavy lifting, excessive bouncing, and so on), but most women continue to work, run a household, care for other children, and basically carry on their normal lives almost up until they go into labor. So when it comes to taking on eco-friendly pursuits, there’s no reason green living has to stop just because you find yourself in the family way. In fact, it’s even more important now that you’re thinking about the health and well-being of two people. So here are just a few green activities that pregnant women can get behind.

Walking. Is there any activity that’s more mutually beneficial for you and the planet than moving via the courtesy of your own two feet? There seems to be a stereotype that relegates pregnant women to the couch, watching soap operas and eating bonbons for nine months. But unless you want to pack on the pounds to an unhealthy degree, you’re going to need to get some exercise while you’re growing a baby. At the very least, you’ll want to stay limber for the day you go into labor and this is an activity you can do to keep yourself healthy while also avoiding the toxic hydrocarbons that result from driving.
Pregnancy yoga. This exercise is aimed specifically at the needs of expectant mothers and often, yoga facilities adopt more green practices than other types of gyms. In many cases they use sustainable (or recycled) building materials, natural (or energy efficient) lighting, and an overall holistic approach to operating a business. This is all good news for your health and for the environment, but pregnancy yoga offers added value because it targets problem areas that many moms face (back pain, swelling, etc.) as well as helping practitioners to prepare for the physical and psychological demands of labor.
Recycling. If you don’t want future generation of your family living atop a mountain of trash because the whole planet has become a landfill, then now is a great time to start recycling, and anyone can do it. Get yourself a few bins (for plastic, glass, aluminum, and paper) and start using them posthaste. You might be surprised to see how much less you’re throwing in the trash. Once you’ve got a few bags, take them to the recycling center and trade them in for cash; you’ll do a good turn for the environment and put a few extra buck in your pocket at the same time.
Green cleaning. If you haven’t already made the switch to green cleaners, now is a good time to do so. Chemical cleaning agents can not only be harmful to you (causing symptoms like asthma and other respiratory disorders); they may also pose a risk to your baby, both during gestation and after birth. So ditch the chemical solvents and opt for natural alternatives. You can even choose to make your own with recipes found online.
Organic gardening. When you start experiencing morning sickness symptoms and your sense of smell goes haywire, you may find that the average foods at the market just aren’t very appealing. And you might be worried about the effects that chemical residue from pesticides and fertilizers (not to mention preservatives) could have on your baby. For this reason, you may want to switch to organic food options, and there’s no better way than by growing your own.

Guest Post: How to Make Your Own Christmas Roman Blinds

Brenda — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 11:00:13 +0000

This project is a bit indulgent, but if you want to redecorate for Christmas these roman blinds will offer you a cheap and inexpensive way of doing so, It will also be a lot greener than buying readymade blinds: There are three ways to mount Roman blinds: but for simplicity’s sake we will look at an outside mounted blind. This means that it will cover both the window and the window frame.

Supplies needed:
Fabric (To make your blind festive either choose Christmassy colours such red or green, or Christmas pattern)
Twill tape with pre-sewn plastic rings, twice to three times the finished length
Quarter-inch (8 mm) diameter dowel rods, cut to ½ inch (13 mm) less than the finished width
1″ x 2″ (2.5 cm x 5 cm) board cut to ¼” (6 mm) less than the finished width, for the headrail
screw eyes
nylon drapery cord, five to eight times the finished length
mounting screws
thread
sew-on or decorator-type hook-and-loop tape the width of the finished blind
cord-lock pulley (optional)

1: Measure the Window:
Do this before you buy anything, it could save you a lot of money! Measure the distance between the edges of the window trim horizontally and vertically, as well as how far the trim protrudes from the wall. The horizontal dimension will be the finished width of the blind, and the vertical dimension will be the finished length.

You will need to add 4 inches (10 cm) to the finished width of the blind, and 8½ inches (21.3 cm) to the finished length to give you enough fabric. If your chosen fabric has a definite pattern then you will need to account for the repeat of the pattern and add that length to the amount of fabric once for each panel, so as to keep the pattern; if in in doubt then be generous. It’s always better to have too much fabric! Extra fabric can be used for other projects. You should also buy an identical amount of lined fabric.

2: Hem The Blind:
Match the lining to the blind and then pin and sew the sides and bottom with a 1 Inch (2.5cm) seam, before turning it inside out and pressing it.

3: Make The Rod Pockets:
Cut two (or three if the blind is wider than 39 inches (1 meter)) pieces of twill tape 10 inches (25 cm) less than the finished length. For two lengths, sew one length down each side edge of the blind. Make sure that the first ring on each length of tape is about 10 inches (25 cm) from the top of the blind, and each tape has an even number of rings, aligned so that the blind will hang and fold evenly. The bottom ring should be about 1 inch (2.5 cm) from the bottom of the blind. Sew a straight line just below and just above each ring, then slide a dowel into the pocket. Put a rod inside the bottom hem allowance also. Do this with the blind inside-out, taking care not to sew the lining to the facing side. Turn it the right way out and sew the side seams closed.

4: Prepare and Mount the Headrail:
Cover the headrail board with leftover fabric from the front of the blind and staple in the side that will face the wall; this step is optional but gives a more professional finished appearance. Staple hook tape to the front of the rail. Place a screw eye in the bottom of the rail. Mount the pulley on the end of the rail. Mount the rail to the upper edge of the trim,

5: Mount the Blind:
Attach the finished Roman blind to the headrail using the hook-and-loop fastener.

Step 6: Thread the Cords:
Starting from the top on that side of the blind, thread the cord through a screw eye and each ring of a tape then tie it securely to the bottom ring. From the screw eye, bring the length of cord through the pulley and down the side of the blind then cut at the desired length. For each additional tape, thread the cord through the screw eye and rings as before; from the top bring the length of cord across to the rail through the first screw eye and the pulley and cut it even with the first cord. Braid or knot the cords together for a single pull-cord and attach a cord drop.

This is a guest post by Daniel Frank, a UK blogger and marketer who is writing on behalf of wooden blinds manufacturer Wooden Blinds Direct

Day 4 TGF Xmas Gift List

Brenda — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 22:23:23 +0000

Todays post is slightly different. It is not a gift suggestion, but a creative suggestion, let me know your thoughts on this and if you wish to contribute to this style, let me know.

Hello, I am Maggy visiting from Red Ted Art. I am a mum of two and regularly get crafty with my children – with a weekly Kids Crafts section and a weekly How To for older children or adults. I am so pleased to be guest posting today and hope that you enjoy our little craft - Angel Cloth Pegs.

Cloth peg painting is something that my three year old adores. So these are a team effort. He paints the pegs and I make the angels. They are lovely as Christmas tree decorations or for hanging up Christmas cards with or simply for playing with. Ours are very busy on our “art washing line” and we have given a few away as presents!

Materials per angel (e.g. blue): Cloth peg, paint (blue, white), a gold & black pen (or use paint), piece of paper for wings, wool/ tinsel for halo, glue

Paint the peg in one main colour – save for approx. 1cm one side which will be in white for the head. Paint the white face.
Let it dry. We found it helpful to cut a ring from a paper tube and to clip the pegs on it for drying – but be careful, as the paint can “glue” them shut, so do check them occasionally!
With pens draw on a pattern and face. You can also use a contrasting paint and just put little dots on.
Tie tinsel into a bow and glue on with lots of glue.
Cut out wing shape. Draw some feather lines and glue on.

Done!

Now wait for all those lovely Christmas cards to arrive and to hang them all up!

I hope you enjoyed our craft and that you do have a go. If you fancy more ideas, do come and visit Kids Crafts or check out our Christmas Crafts section.

You can also find Maggy at The Good Life Bloggers

Guest Post: How to recycle unwanted items in the home and make extra cash

Brenda — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 11:00:00 +0000

What do lofts, sheds, garages and the area underneath beds have in common? They are often filled with junk – household items that are no longer in use for one reason or another. Whilst junk usually makes its way to landfill at some point, recycling is always a possibility. This can generate a little extra cash if households are able to sell DVDs online, old books to collectors, antiques to dealers and so on. Provided below are some of the most common household items that can be recycled for cash.

1. Televisions

Old television sets, the sort that were barely ready for analogue, let alone HD, have little market value, which is why they end up being donated to schools, advertised on Freecycle or dumped at the local recycling centre. Newer models, however, can be sold online through eBay, craigslist and other such websites. Considering the size, shape and weight of some television sets, it may be better to sell unwanted TVs by advertising in a local newspaper. A television set that is only a few years old could be worth anything from £20 to £200 depending on the make, model and condition etc.

2. Mobile Phones

Smartphones such as the iPhone 4S have captivated consumers. As the latest technology becomes more affordable, the prevalence of smartphones is likely to increase exponentially, which means a greater number of older mobiles will be consigned to the scrap heap. Old mobiles should not, however, be thrown out with the rubbish. Households can make extra cash by selling old handsets online through Envirofone, SellMyMobile, Mazuma and other recycling firms.

Envirofone in particular offers great deals on some of the most popular handsets. Providing a fast, convenient service, Envirofone gives price guarantees for many old handsets, so it is possible to make £100 on an old Blackberry Torch or Samsung Galaxy and perhaps double that for the soon-to-be-outmoded iPhone 4.

3. Books

Old books need not gather dust on shelves. Amazon Marketplace provides a convenient way for people to sell their old books online. However, it may be possible to acquire more money by selling old titles in a garage or car boot sale. Especially old, rare or unusual books should be sold to specialist dealers or collectors, to Blackwells’ Rare Books, for example.

4. CDs and DVDs

Old media is rarely used again once it has been consigned to storage, but old music, films and games may be worth something to somebody else. Auction sites such as eBay enable people to sell old CDs and DVDs online. A more direct service is provided by Music Magpie, available for UK residents and foreigners, which offers cash for old media. They then recycle the old discs and make household items so you will be doing your bit for the environment too.

5. Sports Equipment

Perhaps an old set of golf clubs is gathering dust in the attic or a pair of skis is hidden away in the garage. Providing the condition of items is reasonably good, sports equipment can be sold through eBay with relatively little effort and usually at a good price. Golf equipment is especially popular, whilst dumbbells, barbells, punching bags, speedballs, rowing machines, exercise bikes and even treadmills can be sold online (although the larger and heavier the item, the greater the cost of delivery).

6. Old Toys

Finally, kids grow up and move on, but toys are often treasured as keepsakes by parents. Rather than have Woody and Buzz spend their final days in a box stashed away in the attic, parents should sell old toys online or at a garage or car boot sale. Auction sites such as eBay are often used by toy sellers, but specialist sites such as jumbleworld.com are also useful. Small children can still experience the wonder of old toys.

Image Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrmonochrome/93535053/lightbox/