Going Red, White, Blue...and Green?

It’s a holiday dream come true—July 4th falls on a Friday this week, which means you've got a long weekend of barbecues and relaxation ahead of you! Usually this implies it’s time to plan a road trip or a short vacation, but because of gas prices and the stresses associated with travel, more people are staying home this year. CNN reports that 31% of polled Americans have either canceled travel plans entirely, or severely shortened them. Plus, 72% say that gas prices have “caused them to make changes in their daily lives.”
 
Sometimes the “going green” idea seems forced upon us, or our lifestyle habits change because we want to save money, if not the planet. But, as we celebrate this country’s independence and its existence in general, it’s not necessarily a bad thing to think about all we do have, rather than focusing on how our plans have been sabotaged.
 
So, if you are staying at home this weekend because of environmental and financial pressures, take the time you would be on the road and reflect on the positives around you: family, friends, food and even fireworks. You will probably find that fewer carbon footprints do not necessarily equal fewer fun times.

How do you plan to spend your Fourth of July. [CNN]