I just don't care about it enough t put in the effort on the grass... I'd much rather spen it on shrubs, flowers & veggies. As a result much of my yard is crabgrass, clover or woodsorrel. Doesn't bother me much though and the clover & woodsorrel keep the bugs happy. Only thing that pisses me off is that grass keeps managing to seed in where I don't want it. Like why won't it grow in the yard, but it'll grow in among my irises?
As for mulch - I mentioned this elsewhere but I really prefer wood chips from a tree guy to any of the colored/pre-bagged stuff. It's a rougher look for sure and there's been some backlash against them from landscapers, but I still find it preferable and at $20 or so for a truck load it's practically free.
I make my own mulch & compost wherever possible though and just got one of these bad boys this spring: http://www.mackissic.com/HSC_12P.html - ran it for most of the ay two wkds ago chopping up yard use and wound up with a terrific blended mulch of pine needles, leaves, and wood chips. Promptly spread it on the bank garden.