America, wake up.

If you are not in debt, if you carry no credit card balance, if you have not been facing job insecurity… then you are not experiencing middle America, and you can skip this post.  If you answered “yes” to any of the above (much less multiple), I cry out to you:

WAKE UP.

Many of you are awake, or waking, but some still are biting at every credit offer that comes across the table.  Easy way to get stuff without getting arrested?  Get a credit card.

American Express sent me a “pre-approved offer” (puh-lease) regarding their Black Card.

Their pitch?  “The Black Card is not just another piece of plastic.  Made with carbon it is the ultimate buying tool.”

WHAT?!  What wad of absolute pure lazy, thoughtless, consumerist drivel are they asking us to buy?

“Limited to only 1% of U.S. residents, Black Card members are ensured the highest caliber of personal service.  Cardmembers enjoy a 24-hour Concierge Assistant, Exclusive Rewards Program, and Luxury Gifts from some of the world’s top brands.  Made with carbon, the Visa Black Card is guaranteed to get you noticed.”

What does it take to be apart of that Elite 1%?

$495.00 US annually… and you get a 13.24% variable APR for your money.

Wake up.  Do not be a chump.  Maybe I should be saying these words to American Express and not the public.  Frankly, I do not know who needs a bigger wake up call.

Just remember… credit card companies give you no favors.  Their one mission is to get you to buy what you cannot afford.

Now, I will not get into the whole spiele regarding how to manage your credit.  Pick up a Suze Orman book if you need that kind of advice.  I do want to warn, however, to pay close attention to any credit card offers you do get.

No matter what your credit currently looks like, make sure every single month you pay every single last bill on time.  This will save you bundles in the long run, and I am not talking late fees.  Those are only a blade of grass in a meadow of problems when you try to avoid the bills.

Stay grounded.  Live within your means.  And if you have already made some financial mistakes, take a deep breath.  You can ALWAYS get back on path, starting today.

And avoid greenwashing junk like the Black Card.

Sustainably yours,

Ashley Sue

The Audi “Green Police” Super Bowl commercial last night was a major letdown for many environmentalists (not all), as well as a major shot in the arm for extremists on both sides.  I think it was a marketing fail on Audi’s behalf not to take a more grounded approach… or at least hit their target properly.  And I explain why here on AshleySue.

Amidst my wedding research, I have some awesome blogs in my RSS reader, including A.Mountain.Bride…

who happens to be running a contest to win a sweet little classic white Cosabella lingerie number!

I dig that the company has a bamboo eco-friendly line of naughties too.  Hello Bamboo Lowrider Thong.  Hehahe

My favorites are the Sex & The City Line by Cosabella though.  I cannot figure out for the life of me what is SATC about them (and trust me, I am a devout SATC junkie, and nothing at all in the slightest is ever at any point in any episode looks even kinda like these items… so, uh???), but regardless, the happy purpleness of this Miranda Chemise.  So cute and sassy without being juvenile.

So, check out A.Mountain.Bride’s Contest post for more information on how YOU can enter to win the sweet white Cosabella chemise, a $118 win that will make you feel oh-so-lovely under your own wedding garb (or whenever!).

Sustainably yours, Ashley Sue

Feeling trapped in plastic, much like this poor couple, I came to a new stance for Marc’s and my wedding (and sanity).

Somehow, when I Googled “Plastic-free wedding”, I found nothing, though I figured all the overlay of eco-concern and weddings would naturally have had a blog or something named this.

Anyhow, I am not going the route of creating a specific website and blog to this specific topic, but you will find posts regarding how I try to make my upcoming wedding friendlier to the Earth and our future. My first vow is to make my wedding as plastic-free as possible.

I have already been weighing the disposable plateware versus china rental conundrum. I think I am within a week’s decision on that one. How about everything else though?

The wedding industry (sometimes referred to as the WIC – Wedding Industrial Complex) is a complete craphole for useless, disposable, stuffs. Favors, decorations, hair goodies, foods, clothing, invitations, programs, and so much more. In fact, it feels that with each year, new crappy disposable things get tacked on to a new bride’s “must-have” list.

Like Save-the-Date cards (sadly referred to as STDs). Those used not to be at all. Now, not only do many brides feel they are mandatory, but the new thing is Save-the-Date magnets. I have received three from friends… and while they are actually cute, it feels weird to leave magnets of all my coupled friends on my fridge for years to come.

We are just bypassing wedding STDs completely.  *chuckles*

(more…)

Marc and I have not picked a church in which to marry, nor have a caterer, musician, or rentals in contract, so we have in no way started a registry.  Frankly, I am not sure how I feel about wedding registries at all, but when speaking with my future sister-in-law, registering for plates and such popped up in conversation.

See, Marc’s twin brother is also planning a wedding to his longtime girlfriend (and no, we are not having a double wedding).  Stacey is so excited about registering for Fiesta dinnerware, something I had never heard of or noticed.  Her excitement regarding their quality and USA-made craftsmanship got me intrigued, though.

I checked out Fiesta dinnerware, and while it is very much not for me, I do like that it is made in America.

Which got me thinking, what other dinnerware companies are still made in America?  Who knows… maybe I will register for plates.

I found a few interesting websites.  Still Made in USA, Made In USA, and Americans Working all inspire me to research whatever we do choose to register for very carefully.  Anything we can do to support Americans staying employed seems socially-conscious to me, since kitchenware is something we need anyhow.

No decisions on a company or style now though.  We have much bigger concerns to tackle first.

Sustainably yours,  Ashley Sue

As I try to plan a wedding, something which you think you can do until you are in the position to, and then realize you have zero experience in doing so and should not be given the privilege*, I am faced with yet another conundrum.

Do we use disposable dinnerware for the wedding reception, and what options are there besides plastic?

The whole thing arose when I told my Sis and Gramms over Thanksgiving that I did not know how much rental dinnerware would cost us, and Gramms suggested I could get pretty clear plastic plates from Walmart and probably save a bundle.

Yep, Gramma.  I could save a bundle, but I edit and write articles about not doing exactly that.  Using plastic plates just does not jam at all with who Marc and I are.**  So, I thanked her for the suggestion but explained how that could not work for us.

I have noticed, however, that I am far from alone on this debate.  Forum board after forum has brides talking about going plastic.***  Then again, many boards are slamming plastic.

Paper is getting slammed, too.

Enter Bambu Veneerware, made of 100% organically-grown bamboo.  The products look chic enough, and I found Pink Argyle and Kirstin Endemann talking up the products.

I am thus torn between renting dinnerware, buying cute mismatch dinnerware I have to wash myself after the reception, or buying this Bambu Veneerware which is still stylish while being super easy to clean up after (plates only, not the bamboo utensils) and says it biodegrades in less than six months.  Hmmm…

I really dug this post by Apartment Therapy where Kristen Lubbe debates this exact issue when it comes to hosting parties.  I dig the honesty of questioning which to do, and where we (as environmentalist and social-conscious humans) should allow ourselves some forgiveness for accepting a little convenience over moral high-ground.  But check out the tremendous slew of comments afterward, many bashing the author for not taking the route of renting or buying new dishes.****

So, suggestions?  Feelings why you lean one way or another?  Or what you would never do?

Let it fly… I have stuff to decide.  And you know you would feel gratified and proven right if your comment is what sways my decision. 

Sustainably yours, Ashley Sue

*Who am I kidding?! I love this challenge!  Nine and a half months left to figure it all out!

**Except plastic plates are cheap.  Marc and I are cheap.  :/  Cost, however, is not enough of a jam for us to forsake our ethics.

***I’m a honking big snob anyhow and just think plastic is tacky.  I would avoid it however I could.

****Commenter Oneformybaby at November 23, 2009 11:25 pm really expresses my feelings regarding this Apartment Therapy post and the commenters with “i totally understand about the need to preserve our environment but why dont we stop attacking each other for trying to make our lives just a little less stressful and start putting our attention to where it really can make a difference. Its like telling someone they are horrible people for eating fast food once in a while! Sometimes, you just need a break!”

One of my favorite companies is Equal Exchange.  Their coffee is superb*, their mission is amazing.  Since 1986, Equal Exchange has taken on the mission of creating a world where farmers are getting paid fairly for their work, farm families are able to support themselves financially, and sustainable farming methods are used to insure a healthy farming society, a healthy planet, and a healthy us!

Their products are more than coffee.  They have teas, chocolates, nuts and berries, and another favorite of mine: cocoa.  In fact, Marc and I are decking the halls tonight with Equal Exchange hot chocolate in our hands!  Yum!

So why, you ask of me, am I raving about Equal Exchange?

Equal Exchange is an awesome gift for the holidays. AND they have a great deal on a holiday gift basket until December 15th!**

Now, my families do not give presents for Christmas.  Not because we’re Jewish.  Not because we are holier-than-thou and snub the holiday.  In part because we decided to peel away the stress of what holiday gift-giving had become, and in part because nearly half of the people in my families have lost their jobs and been out of work for longer than a year.

Regardless, I like to bring coffee beans and treats with me for holiday fun.  Everyone gets to enjoy treats and company.

I always preach that no matter if you are struggling with money, or floating in money, each dollar you spend is a vote, each penny is a reflection of what you care about or disregard.  Coffee and chocolate are always two areas I feel guilty if I do not buy fair trade and sustainably grown.

The Equal Exchange holiday gift basket has all of these yummies in an awesome grass basket from Ten Thousand Villages:

• Organic French Roast Coffee – 10oz, drip grind
• Organic Hot Cocoa Mix – 12oz
• Organic Very Dark Chocolate – 3.5oz bar
• Organic Dark Chocolate with Almonds – 3.5oz bar
• Organic Milk Chocolate with a Hint of Hazelnut – 3.5oz bar
• Organic Tamari Roasted Almonds – 5oz
• Roasted Salted Pecans – 5oz

Hurry though.  Seriously, December 15th.  Twelve days.  Less than two weeks to order, which you need to be getting all the shopping you are going to do anyhow.  Trust me, remembering you do, indeed, need to buy something for someone and rushing out a couple days before Christmas is the perfect recipe to buying stuff from China that you do not even feel good about giving because it is a cheap, thoughtless crap.

The site has lots of other cool gifts and items as well, each with a full description and pic. 

Cheers to each of you, your holidays season, your family, great ethical companies, and a belly of yummy Equal Exchange!***

Sustainably yours,  Ashley Sue

PS.  This cool company also offers educational materials to help you and your kids’ school groups share awareness that each penny we spend, each sip we take, each bite we enjoy, impacts many others than us.  How cool?!

*In case you’ve never read this blog, I have a bit of a coffee addiction.  I’ll even drink Maxwell House instant if I must… yck… of course, only if it is my only option for a long time to come, a situation which I try to avoid putting myself in.

***Sorry I sound like an advertisement recently.  I figure, for Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, birthdays or whatever, we all do give gifts out of love… and I can promote ethical, loving companies as where each of our dollars goes.  Cheers!

If you struggle to make greener decisions, sometimes the battle within yourself is if the green you need to save most is the green in the world or the green in your wallet.  With the holidays zooming toward us, temptation to shop “big sales” and get “huge savings” can bear upon you.

Black Friday sales woo tons of shoppers annually and mark the official beginning of the Christmas shopping season.  I understand that retailers need shoppers in order to make profit, which in turn means sales associates keep their jobs and can pay their bills.  I get it, I get it, I get it.

I beg you to consider, however, the kind of purchases you make when you shop these stores, these sales, these “giant blowout” events.  I yearn for you to realize that big box stores want you to get caught up in the whirlpool of low numbers, shiny vases, plush blankets, sparkly dresses, and jingling toys.

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These sales want you to spend beyond your means.

These stores want you to buy now, and pay later.  Like still paying it off in September 2010.

These “shopping holidays” want you to feel like whatever you give, it has to be big to prove it is given in love.

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… to fear that no matter what you give… that the receiver might give you something that even bigger.  Now you wouldn’t want to look like a cheap shmuck, right?

… to continue handing over that plastic-fantastic credit card, blissfully ignoring the poisons in those toys (every child should chew on some lead and phthalates, right?), slave labor in that jewelry, and child labor and questionable labor practices in… well, just about everything, right?

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Now, is that the backstory you want for gifts you give?

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Perhaps you’ll say no.  If so, consider a handmade holiday.  Or consider a no-gift holiday.  Or the challenge of a “Made in America” only holiday.

Just consider that the holiday is really is about spending special time with the special people in your life.

Whatever you choose to do, make the most of your Thanksgiving weekend.

With much love, tremendous thanks, and sustainable thoughts,

Ashley Sue

A little while back, Earth Fare asked if I wanted to give a $50 Earth Fare gift card to one lucky (Green)Grounded reader.  With a landslide of holidays coming, a $50 gift card is exactly the stimulus package we each could use!

A happy Earth Fare gift card, valued at $50, is waiting for your happy, warm wallet.  I would love for each of us (myself included) to receive one, but only one winner for this giveaway.

So how do you win?

1.)  Leave a comment with your favorite tip for living green in a grounded way.  You know… how do you live a little greener without feeling a tremendous pinch?  A tip that perhaps someone else could use as they and their families are heading into this holiday season.

Me?  I started buying hand soap in the refill pouches and bottles instead of always getting the pretty little container to go by the sink.  Now I just refill the cute soap bottle and keep the giant refill stash under the sink.  Less packaging is a great thing, plus it saves me money!

2.)  Want a second way to enter?  Twitter fans have the advantage here.  All you have to do is tweet this (or something similar):

Living greener & tastier is easy with a $50 @EarthFare gift card giveaway via @AshleySue at http://idek.net/eQa!

Then, come back and leave a second comment with your Twitter @ handle.

One comment on being green = one chance.

One comment on being green + one separate comment about your tweet (with @yourname) = two chances.

I cannot wait to hear all the different ways you live greener and more grounded!

Sustainably yours, Ashley Sue

(Contest runs Tuesday, 10th November 2009 at 930 A.M. EST until Monday, 16th November 2009 at 7 P.M. EST. Winner will be selected on Monday, 16th November 2009 at 7 P.M. EST.  Winner will be contacted via email.  Once winner acknowledges winning and replies with physical address, gift card will be sent via USPS.  Winning comment number will be selected via Random.org.

Also, many of your comments may be held for moderation.  Do not worry, I will daily approve comments, so they will appear within 24 hours, and in the order received.  Thank you for your patience as I fight spammers.)

Not literal rockstars, but Larry’s Beans Coffee is pretty close to stardom, and they are a crown jewel in the Triangle’s hip and green market.  Yesterday,  I noticed a full-time job opening at Larry’s Beans as an Account Manager.

Larry’s Beans coffee is organic, fair trade, kosher and a plethora of other fantastic certifications.  The beans are roasted here, they have a cool bus, and their coffee is as awesome tasting as their names are fantastically whimsical. Seriously, who can pass up a cup of “El Salvador Dali”, “Bean Martin”, “Frank Sumatra”, or my favorites, the “3 Moon Peru” and their holiday blends.

These coffee addicts and self-proclaimed fair trade mavericks are one of my favorite coffee brands, period.  Add to that their sustainability school, and you can see why I love this company.

By now you should be sold on why this company would be great to work with, but just in case, look at the awesome Rock Star characters you would work with in this small, kickbutt company.

So, if you feel like you could get stoked to be a full-time ambassador of fair trade, sustainable company ethic and coffee, click here to get a better look at the job and how to apply.

Sustainably yours, Ashley Sue