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Building natural, sustainable, energy-efficient, no- or low-mortgage homes is easier than ever! Mother's third annual Guide to Homes features homeowners who have made their dreams of owning beautiful and efficient green homes come true. Also in this special collection are stories from recent issues of MOTHER EARTH NEWS about straw bale, earth, net-zero-energy and timber frame houses; plans for building your own cozy cabin; advice on green remodeling and environmentally friendly home heating; and a feature on green building concepts and top new products.

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Building your debt-free dream green home is now easier than ever! Mother's sixth annual Guide to Homes features articles to start building a home that fits your style. Featured in this special collection are our best recent articles on practical building subjects such as: how to paint your house, cooling your home naturally, solar heating for any plan and a guide to options for owner-builders.

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Are you looking for simple ideas to save money? The MOTHER EARTH NEWS Guide to Living on Less has dozens of ideas to help you save money on food, housing and energy, while also living a greener life.

These strategies for living lightly are simple, satisfying and even fun. Here are a few of the articles you’ll find in this special collection:

• For big energy savings that can also help you save money check out our “8 Easy Projects for Instant Energy Savings.”
• Ready to start a garden, or make your existing garden bigger?
• Read “Easy Garden Anyone Can Make” for an easy plan that will have you growing more vegetables in no time.

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You don't need to live in the country or own a large farm in order to be self-sufficient. You can practice many basic country skills in a small town, the suburbs and even in the city! The MOTHER EARTH NEWS Guide to Country Skills has the information you need to be more self-reliant, from ideas to implement in your home, to stories from those who have made a successful homestead for themselves.

Read about a woman who lives on a "renter's homestead" where she cans, gardens and keeps livestock. There is also the story of a couple who moved to the country, started a market garden and built their home by hand.

This Guide includes instructions for several DIY projects, including:

• Easy Bread
• Building a passive solar water heater
• Canning fruit, meat and vegetables

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This book shows you how to use basic materials to make useful, entertaining items the entire family can enjoy. There are chapters on home furnishings, outdoor living, tools for garden and home, workshop projects, toys, arts and crafts and more the entire family can enjoy!

People are doing more and more themselves these days and are trying to make their dollars stretch further. In these pages you'll find a collection of practical ideas for your home, garden and workshop.

Included are chapters on building tables, stools, a cedar-lined chest, a storage bed and much more!