Welcome to Green and Growing Assets!

Hey there, dear readers! My name is Katherine Fulton, and I am a professional writer. My work has appeared in a number of publications, including Benjamin Media magazines, Cleveland's own alt-weekly Scene, Alternative Press and All Music Guide.

Green and Growing Assets - The Rest of the "W and H" Questions

You now know who is writing this blog, but I'm sure there's more you'd like to know, such as:

Why did you start this blog?
I've always tried to be as eco-friendly as possible - my parents can attest to this, as they have many "fond" memories of my grade-school-age self badgering them over the need to recycle, save energy and buy "green" products. When I grew up and got a job, I was free to make these decisions for myself - buying CFLs, growing a container garden of veggies, building and using my own compost box/worm bin. It was great.

Then I got laid off.

I may have been forced to move back home, but I wasn't about to give up my green ideals. This time, however, I was forced to approach the problem from an angle of frugality - no more pricey non-toxic cleaners, no more expensive (but so very lovely) organic shampoos, and no more trips to organic grocery stores. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to do it - but I was pleasantly surprised to find that being eco-friendly on a budget is not only easier than expected, but also a whole lot of fun. I decided to start this blog not only to share my ideas and experiences, but also to get feedback from readers who may have tips and tricks to share. Think of this blog as a Lifehacker/The Simple Dollar hybrid that concentrates on sustainable living.


What will I find here?
My vision for the blog is a mix of current environmental events (and their effects on individuals), DIY tips and tricks, opinion/discussion posts and other articles with similar themes. That's not to say that there may not be other subjects that are mentioned at Green and Growing Assets (my background is arts/entertainment, after all!), but I will strive to make sure that the bulk of my posts are informative and based around a theme of budget-friendly, DIY-centric sustainability.


Wait, you're an arts/entertainment journalist? Why should you tell me about green living?
Well, there's no easy answer to that! I'll be upfront - I am not a sustainability consultant or an environmental expert. (I'm also not a DIY expert, though I am always striving to learn new skills. You can thank my boyfriend for introducing me to DIY as a facet of punk rock philosophy that appealed to my inner hippie, but I digress...) That said, I do try to live as sustainably as possible, and my DIY posts will be based on my actual experiences. If something works, I'll praise it - and if not, I'll let you know why it didn't live up to my expectations. When it comes to news, opinion and discussion pieces, I'll offer my input based once again on my observations and experiences. Some of it may be right on, and some may be way off. If you have a complementary idea or wish to offer a suggestion or correction, feel free to comment.


How can I contribute ideas/pass along links?
I'm still trying to decide whether to use my current e-mail address for this blog or to make a new one. Until then, feel free to leave suggestions and contributions in the comments. Once I get the e-mail issue resolved, I'll make a post about my decision and provide the correct e-mail address.


Why do you list your "current book" and "current music" at the end of your entries?
Well, why not? I like to think that such things make me a bit more approachable and remind people that there's a person behind this blog. It's also a great way to introduce people to new (or new to them) authors and musicians, which is something I enjoy doing.

Current Book: The Four Agreements - Don Miguel Ruiz
Current Music: Barry McCabe - Rollin'