Live local. Learn local.
In today’s world, some people want to live greener, some want to live healthier. One common desire is a better life. 
A study on the new economic stimulus package found that 54 percent of the 3.7 million jobs estimated to be created will require post-secondary education.
Living better doesn’t have to be hard. Ferris State University has 21 convenient locations statewide where you can earn your degree without disrupting your job or family.
Live better with a Ferris degree and learn locally at the Ferris campus near you.
Click below for "Live Better" tips in the following categories: Money Saving Tips
Keep minimum funds in your checking account. Make your money work for you by funneling extra funds into your savings account where it will earn more interest than in your checking account. If you use your checking account often or have some bills that are paid automatically from your checking account, be aware of the balance and avoid overdraft fees.
To save money on vehicle maintenance and gasoline, drive smoothly. Accelerate smoothly and at a reasonable rate, and use coast to a stop as often as possible. Using cruise control on the highway can also improve your vehicle's gas mileage. more GreenTips
Did you know that a typical garden hose can deliver 50 gallons of water in just 5 minutes? Use a nozzle to control the water released and use the minimum amount of water needed.
Stay local. Check out what your town's parks and recreation board has to offer.
Discover toxic-free cleaning products. You can even make your own. White vinegar is an inexpensive and green cleaning solution, for instance. more Healthy Living Tips
Eat breakfast. Eating a healthy breakfast fills you up with energy for the day and decreases your desire to eat a big lunch in the middle of the day. Not only that, breakfast can be very healthy, quick and inexpensive. A bowl of oatmeal in the morning may keep you from running out to eat an expensive lunch later in the day.
Stay positive. This may be one of the simplest changes you make, and it can lead to so many other positive events and tips. If you tell yourself that something is impossible, you are less likely to put forth your full effort and in the end, you are more likely to fail. By believing that you can, you are more apt to work hard, find creative solutions and persist even with repeated failures until you find success. more Summer Tips
Ventilate with a window fan. If outside temperature is below 77°, a window fan can be used to replace hot indoor air. Locate fan on the downwind side with fan blades directing the air outwards. To enhance air flow, open a window in each room and be sure all interior doors are open.
Start a garden with sprouts. They are easy to grow in the home, very inexpensive and highly nutritious. Sprouts may be the simplest source of organic produce for you and your family. more Traveling Tips
Go to the grocery store. Even if you are away from home, chances are good there are grocery stores where you are traveling. Get snacks, water and everything you need for your trip since hotels can overcharge.
Travel light. Airlines are starting to charge for everything now and if you have 2 bags or more, expect to be charged for it. Remember to not use over-sized bags whenever possible and try to limit your bags to one per person. more MichiganTips
Stay nearby. If one location has pricey accommodations, just stay nearby. For example, while it may be too pricey for your family to stay on Mackinac Island - try St. Ignace and Mackinaw City for some great places to stay. Just shop around!
Consider camping. If you're serious about saving your pennies - or just love the outdoors and want to keep your kids away from the TV for a week - pitch a tent or rent a cabin rather than book a hotel room. Michigan has some of the best campgrounds in the country. You can “rough it” in a tent or even rent a cabin with showers and air-conditioning. That part is up to you! more Cleaning Tips
Clean as you go. This is a great habit … instead of having big cleaning binges, clean things as you go. Done using some dishes? Wash them right away. Clean the toilet when you finish using it, so it never gets dirty.
Storing clean sheets. After drying and folding sheets, put both sheets and one pillowcase in the other pillowcase, and then fold neatly in a square. The next time you change your sheets, just reach for the pillowcase and everything you need is inside. more StudyTips
Short and sweet. Short, frequent study sessions work best. Research indicates that short bursts of concentration repeated frequently are much more effective than one long session. So, even if you only have 10 minutes to study, DO IT. Then take a break and study another 10 minutes. The brain needs recovery and recharging time for “protein synthesis.” The rest periods are when your brain assimilates your effort. more Working Tips
Avoid the vending machines. Almost everything that is dispensed via vending machines has a huge markup (and is rarely healthy). However, if you suffer from snack attacks at work, consider creating a secret stash of snacks. If you have a long commute, consider a stash for the car as well, and avoid a quick drive-thru visit.
Move your monitor. Having your computer screen below you rather than above you means your upper eyelid isn't stuck in place as much, which helps to reduce the amount of tear evaporation and hence reduce or eliminate dry eye symptoms. more Want to submit your own tip?
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