You don’t have to be in AP History to know Benjamin Franklin was green, that’s how he got his face on the $100 Bill. Ben Franklin didn’t have Google Maps or GPS, or even an alarm clock, and yet, he knew time was money. Think: electricity, refrigeration, and more. He also invented the odometer. How else would you track the Miles Per Gallon of your carriage in 1790?!

In 2011, everyone in our family needs a little more “Benjamins” and practical, eco-economic wisdom. A good way to start is to be prepared, organized and informed. Simply leaving early with a clear plan, so you don’t have to speed or get lost, saves money. How much? Well, it could be a few “Benjamins” a year for the average family. Factor in the cost of increased risk from accidents, tickets and missed opportunities, and you’ll be asking your history teacher who was on the $1000 bill.

So this year, refresh the family on Benjamin Franklin. Help mom and dad leverage those new gadgets to finally get organized. Pack lunch and pick clothes the night before to avoid the morning scrammble. Not only because it will make them less stressed, but because you are going to help them save time and money.

And if you missed the MythBusters on how Franklin “discovered” electricity, it’s worth checking out.

It’s Monday. Resolution #5: invite your family to “Meat Out” at least once a week. Thousands of people have been celebrating Meatfree Monday, or, if you prefer, @MeatlessMonday to bring attention to over-consumption of meat and its environmental impacts. You’ll be in good company from Anne Hathaway to Pink to former President Bill Clinton. Lisa Simpson likes guilt and angst. At GMP, we like $avings. While the health and sustainability benefits may be well known, the fact is that this is a great way to save over $500 this year! This means leave the meat out of a family dinner that would otherwise include it, and replace it with another healthy source of proteins like beans or tofu or a rich mix of grains and veggies.

Need some menu suggestions, check out a few of these:

• Meatfree Monday
• Meatless Monday
• Like Italian, check out these youth friend recipes from Mario Batali (Pardon the Turkey Meatballs!)
• Is 2000+ too many from The Food Network?

Track your family’s “Meat Out” savings! And tell us the biggest hits and misses.

Resolution #4 Go “Off Gridding” for a weekend with your family. It’s the first real week-end of 2011. Try to get everyone on board and off the grid. See what happens by not using any resources from the “grid” or the systems that normally support your lifestyle behaviors, toys, getting around town, or keeping in touch.

Think about the following:

• What toys require power: TV, games, iPod
• How do you get places: car, bus, bike, legs
• What heats and cools things: the water, your home
• Most importantly, what does all that cost?!

Go off grid with as many as you can, and just chill at home with family and friends. All of these can be shifted towards renewable sources, in the long-term, but in the short-term, changes in behaviors can result in major savings in each category. But it YOUth ideas, good planning, strong leadership, a pinch of visionary creativity, and your passion to get started. Go for it! Once a year, a quarter or every month.