I am almost in the same situation that you are in. I live with my father and roommate, hopefully starting school soon too, and I like to maintain a healthy living style for myself and for our environment. I just do not understand why everything has to be SO expensive! I only have one job and it is not enough to pay for all my regular living expenses, how am supposed to afford a green one too? I think it might just also matter where you are located; the whole cost of living issue comes up. Haven’t you noticed that all the stars and rich people are the only ones that can afford this kind of lifestyle? A lot of people would like to live a healthy lifestyle but why would they want to spend a extra lets say $200+ a month just to give a little to the planet? Well now I can kind of see why a lot of people do not and will not go green, it is because they cannot afford the expenses it takes to be green. Why don’t any of these company’s cut down the prices? Is it really that much more expensive not to make products with chemicals or test on animals? If anyone knows of any let me know! (This is another issue I am going have to think about, before the end of the month.)

I sell Shaklee and receive discounts when I purchase their products.  I am also a college student and I was feeling the same way, so I started selling Shaklee to make some extra $$ and now I make enough money from selling it to buy my own products.  People will buy cleaning products if they know that they are safe.

www.shaklee.net/maliam  check out my site and if you are interested, sign up to become a distributor (or member and receive the discount)  make sure to check out the products and see the prices-they aren't necessarily higher because they last MUCH longer than most cleaning products.  You're just spending more at first.  Their product Basic H2 (for the small bottle) is equivelant to using 728 bottles of Windex.

Below I am posting some links that I found through a Yahoo group I'm in.  There are recipes for homemade shampoo and soaps.  I was hesitant to buy "green" laundry detergent due to the price, but did to use for my business.  I found that you actually need to use less than with conventional.  I have HE machines so I only need to use 2 TBSP of detergent for a full load!  Now, that's all I use for laundry!  (I buy ECOS from Costco).  Keep an eye out when you're in Target for stuff they mark down for clearance.  I recently found Method everyday cleaner marked down 50%off because it was after Christmas and it was a peppermint vanilla scent.  So I bought a couple!

I wish I had started thinking more green when I was in college (beyond just recycling).  I commend you!  If you'd like, you can also check out my online store for organic skin care products (beehive products and ones that benefit the Amazon rain forest) and receive 20% off your first order using coupon code:GrandOpening.  Regardless, I hope some of these links help!

http://www.soapdelicatessen.com/soapmaking/toiletries/hair/shampoo/

http://www.drlera.com/health_beauty/hair/home_recipes.htm

http://www.make-stuff.com/formulas/hair_care.html

http://www.soapnaturally.org/soap_recipes/index.html#small_batch 

Holbunny

I work for a company that sells environmentally sensitive products that are safer and healthier, and the cost is less per use than the regular products we see in the stores.  I love them and love the fact that my baby girl is so much safer around the house!  And, it helps my wallet too!!!  Check out the following site for more details:  www.livetotalwellness.com/StephanieL