With the coming of 2009, there ought to be a new stream of consciousness for two things: frugalty and eco-friendly.  This could mean different things to many people, but those who are looking to maintain the allure of their home should consider fixtures that won't require a lot of money to maintain.  Yet, the decor have to be stylish to keep up with the character.

If you live in a sunny part the world, like Southern California, Texas, or Florida, there is no reason not to capitalize in the availability of sunlight.  Solar power should be used whenever possible.  Some cities even have grants to upgrade homes to solar energy.  A solar powered generator may take a long time, but, just like anything else, it's good to begin with something simple.  For example, start with yard lights.

There are solar powered lights that you can use for your yard that are right off-the-shelf from many retail or online stores. You just unwrap them, place them in your garden where there's plenty of sunshine, and they're good to go. They'll light up your yard at night and give your house a vivid character that will truly stand out.

These can also save you money in the long run. Whatever light you're using today to illuminate your driveway or pathways in the evening is probably burning electricity. These solar powered garden lights will store energy from the sun during the daytime and recycle them at night. Your electric bill will go down overtime.

Another neat thing about solar lights for gardens is they're available in various colors and designs. Ever seen how a rainbow looks like in the dark? Well, neither have I, but it doesn't have to be expensive. You can setup solar lights for your yard with rainbow colors -- blue, red, green, etc. Others can twinkle with different colors for a truly dazzling display.

Also, if you're not so much into a potpourri of colors, more traditional colors, such as white and yellow are available as well. In either case, you're not using electricity to lighten up your driveway and your garden.

Additionally, solar powered garden lights vary in design to complement your style and personality. The more conservative ones can opt for old fashion street lamps that you see in black and white movies. The snazzier types can pick more modern designs. In all cases, the stainless steel and/or copper finish are popular.

So you see...going green doesn't have to be dull.