5 Ways to Go Green and Save Green

If you’re in the market to buy a home, you’re probably conscious about the money you spend and even more conscious about the money you save.  Although saving money isn’t always the easiest part of home buying, you can make it easier on yourself by learning and establishing new habits that benefit your family and the earth.  How great would it be to save money in your home and at work while reducing your carbon footprint on this planet we call home?  Below are a few simple tweaks you can add to your daily life to help you Go Green and Save Green.

1. Save energy to save money.
-Set your thermostat a few degrees lower in the winter and a few degrees higher in the summer to save on heating and cooling costs.
-Install compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) when your older incandescent bulbs burn out.
-Unplug appliances when you’re not using them. Or, use a “smart” power strip that senses when appliances are off and cuts “phantom” or “vampire” energy use.
-Wash clothes in cold water whenever possible. As much as 85 percent of the energy used to machine-wash clothes goes to heating the water.
-Use a drying rack or clothesline to save the energy otherwise used during machine drying.

2. Save water to save money
-Take shorter showers to reduce water use. This will lower your water and heating bills too.
-Install a low-flow showerhead. They don’t cost much, and the water and energy savings can quickly pay back your investment.
-Make sure you have a faucet aerator on each faucet. These inexpensive appliances conserve heat and water, while keeping water pressure high.
-Plant drought-tolerant native plants in your garden. Many plants need minimal watering. Find out which occur naturally in your area.

3. Less gas=more money (and better health).
-Walk or bike to work. This saves on gas and parking costs while improving your cardiovascular health and reducing your risk of weight related illnesses.
-Consider telecommuting if you live far from your work. Or move closer. Even if this means, buying a new home, it could save you money in the long term.
-Lobby your local government to increase spending on sidewalks and bike lanes. With little cost, these improvements can pay huge dividends in bettering your health and reducing traffic.

4. Eat smart.
-If you eat meat, add one meatless meal a week. Meat costs a lot at the store-and it’s even more expensive when you consider the related environmental and health costs.
-Buy locally raised, humane, and organic meat, eggs, and dairy whenever you can. Purchasing from local farmers keeps money in the local economy.
-Whatever your diet, eat low on the food chain. This is especially true for seafood.

5. Skip the bottled water.
-Use a water filter to purify tap water instead of buying bottled water. Not only is bottled water expensive, but it generates large amounts of container waste.
-Bring a reusable water bottle, preferably aluminum rather than plastic, with you when traveling or at work.

For more tips on going “Green” or saving money, contact me at Christine@GreenMeansGrow.com

Cheers to a greener wallet and a greener earth!