Organic products are more expensive. I was looking for a guide that listed fruits and Veggies that one could save money by moving to non organic on less crucial items. See our post on the definition of organic.

FoodNews, run by the Environmental Working Group, has a list of 43 items with highest pesticide load. Peaches, Apple, Sweet Bell Peppers, Celery, Nectarines, Strawberries are way up there on the buy Organic list.

On the other end are items like Bananas, Kiwi, Asparagus, Sweet Peas-Frozen, Mango, Pineapples, Sweet Corn-Frozen, Avocado, and Onions, that I would consider not going Organic.

A recent article flags high pesticide levels in frozen blueberries, strawberries, and celery. There may be a link to pesticides and ADHD.

Consumer Reports.org also has an article on when it pays to buy organic.

While you will save money, non-organic products do subject farmers and the environment to pesticides.

It gets more complicated.. Recent articles have said that Choosing Organic Pesticides over Synthetic Pesticides May Not Effectively Mitigate Environmental Risk.

Be sure to read our article on organic and biodynamic wines.

Consumer Reports has a new issue entitled Best TVs with a great review of indoor paints including an independent review and discussion of low and no VOC paints.

Low VOC paints contain no more than 50 grams per liter of VOCs.  At one time indoor paints contained almost 400 grams per liter of VOCs.

The top rated paints were low VOC with zero VOC ones rated lower.  Some of the zero VOC paints that did well in Satin and Flat finishes that we have encountered in the past are Olympic Premium from Lowe’s. This paint is very inexpensive and available nationwide.

BestDealMagazines has 1yr subscriptions to Consumer Reports sold at a steep discount. Normal newsstand price is $77. Use 15% off coupon code in our right side column to save even more.

Today Feb 18, 2010 Only!  A very well respected consumer magazine that covers product safety, value, and health.

BestDealMagazines has 1yr subscriptions (13 issues) to Consumer Reports sold at a steep discount. $19.89 – 15% off coupon code:  PXCJ228 = $16.91.

The regular discounted price is $23.95 – 15% off coupon in our right column = $20.36, which is a lot cheaper than the newstand.

Consumer Reports has a new issue entitled Save Energy, Save Money with lots of tips to help you save energy and money at the same time.  Check it out.

BestDealMagazines has 1yr subscriptions to Consumer Reports sold at a steep discount. Use 15% off coupon code in our right side column to save even more.

US News & World report also had an article earlier this year with lots of energy saving tips.