15 Ways to Green Your Life and Save Money While Doing It

Waste

Main point: try to create little as possible and recycle what you can

Recycle: The age-old saying reduce, reuse, recycle still holds true. By using sites such as Our Earth one can look up community recycling programs in their area.

How this saves money: Many of these locations will actually buy back your waste (like aluminum cans) for a set rate. A bit of research into where and what you can sell back could end up saving a few bucks a month. Put this money in a jar and on a rainy day treat yourself to a tasty meal, or put it towards the utilities.

Donate used clothes, books,etc: While discussing recycling, many of the items that are too old or are too tedious to move into the new home can be donated at resale shops or thrift stores.

How this saves money: The very stores these items are dropped off at many times have hidden treasures that can save a buck or two.

Consumption

Smart choices that save you money later

Bring bag to grocery store: The little bags at the grocer can take up to 10-20 years to decompose and they aren’t that sturdy to begin with. Instead bring a bag that can be reused repeatedly.

How this saves money: Once having had to carry a heavier bag, those extra cookies aren’t as appealing, thus cutting down on extravagant consumption.

Buy local: Especially when it comes to produce, many of your local vendors have the same items you are already buying at the grocer, but at a lower rate.

How this saves money: Establish a relationship with your local vendor to secure fresher, cheaper, higher quality food items.

Look for the Energy Star label: Efficient dishwashers, washers and dryers, etc. equal reduced utility bills and are better for the environment.

How this saves money: While some of these appliances might cost more upfront, they save money in the long run.

Change light bulbs: Replace your bulbs with CFL (compact fluorescent lamps). While a bit more at the onset, they have a much greater lifespan and use less energy.

How this saves money: Replace all your bulbs in the house and prepare for a drastic cut in your electric bill.

Use hangers or clotheslines instead of dryer: Especially in the summer months. Just simply hanging the clothes to dry gets the same job done and costs absolutely nothing.