Some useful information, some anecdotes, some rantings, and some inspiration
from my quest to make my family and perhaps the world around me A Little Greener Every Day

Do you love watching movies? We’re big movie watchers in our house. We don’t have cable so when we do gather around the TV to watch something, more often or not, it’s a DVD.

Out of curiosity, what’s your favorite movie? Mine is When Harry Met Sally, followed closely by Mr. Blanding’s Builds His Dream House.

On to the topic at hand. Whether you’re watching  at home or going to the theater, there are little things you can do to green-up the movie watching. Remember, every little thing adds up.

1. Borrow movies from your neighbors instead of heading out to the video store. Open up your DVD collection for others to borrow from. I think that friends opening up their DVD collections to others is a great way for everyone to save trips to the video store and some money.
2. Keeping with the borrowing theme, borrow DVD’s for the week when you go to the library if it’s one of your weekly trips. Just remember to return them on time. Our library charges $1 a day fine for overdue movies, but only 10 cents a day for overdue books.
3. Download videos online. From my husband’s PS3, we can download movies. We can also download movies from iTunes, hook the laptop to the TV and watch that way. Yes, you have to be a little bit technically savvy to do this, but no physical DVD’s are involved and no cars are hopped into to go get movies.
4. Buy used. We have the greatest used music and movie store near us. I always look there first before buying a movie or a CD new. The prices are less expensive than buying new, too.
5. Donate your unused movies. Got a bunch of VHS movies lying around. Donate them to charity or a library book sale. There are still many people who have VCR’s – especially for their kids – and your old movies can get a second life.
6. At home, pop your popcorn the old fashioned way. Don’t use individual microwave popcorn bags. The stuffs not good for you anyway. Pop kernels on the stove top in some olive oil and sprinkle with some kosher salt. If you must butter it up, use real butter.
7. Take your own durable small cups to the movie theater instead of asking for throwaway courtesy cups. When we buy candy, we usually divide it up between the kids into cups. It’s easier than having them fight over the one bag or box. Instead of asking for paper courtesy cups, I take small snack cups to use.
8. Take your own water in reusable water bottles to the movies. I know the theaters don’t want you to sneak in food, but this is water. This way, you won’t buy soda in throw away cups.

Well, what do you know? For the first time, I can’t come up with 10 easy ways for something. So how about it. Can you fill in number 9 & 10 for me? It’s been a long, tough week (and it’s only Wednesday). Help me out.