Going Green: 4 Tips to Save the Environment and Your Money

When you hear the phrase "going green," what's the first thing that comes to mind? If you said saving the environment, you're not alone. A wish to protect our environment is a common driving purpose behind the going green movement. However, you may be surprised to learn that going green can also save you money.

Tip 1: Light the Right Way

Compact fluorescent lights, also known as CFLs, are an easy way to get started. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, CFLs use 75% less energy and last 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs. If every home in America replaced only one incandescent bulb with a CFL, it would prevent greenhouse emissions equivalent to that of 800,000 cars. While CFLs are typically more expensive than incandescent bulbs on purchase, you'll save about $30 over the life of the bulb. Think about how many light fixtures there are in your house. At an average of $30 in savings per bulb, how much money could you save?

Tip 2-Clean the Green Way

Household cleaners can be expensive. When used, they can release harmful fumes into the environment. Since most people dispose of the containers in their trash, these chemicals can leach into the ground and into our water supply. Natural cleaners such as baking soda, lemons, and vinegar are gentler on the environment. Most people already have these products in their home, but even if you have to purchase them, at less than $5 for all three, you can save money easily.

Tip 3-Less Packaged, More Homemade

While pre-packaged foods can be convenient, you pay for that convenience. Not to mention the packaging adds more trash to our landfills. By purchasing the ingredients and making meals yourself, you keep more money in your wallet. You also reduce the number of preservatives and additives that you're exposed to, some of which have been linked to cancer, allergies and endocrine disorders. If the thought of making a meal from scratch after a long day of work is daunting, consider purchasing a crockpot. You can make a wide variety of meals with a crockpot. Just put your ingredients in before you leave for work and let simmer all day. When you get home, a hot meal is ready.

Tip 4- Trade or Give Away Items You No Longer Use

If you have items in your home that you no longer use, consider trading them for items you need or giving them away to someone who can use them. This lowers the amount of stuff sent to our landfills, as well as reducing the amount that has to purchased new. This can also save you money. By trading or joining a group that gives items away, you're not paying money for items that are new for you. Also, if you donate your unused items to charity, you can take a deduction on your taxes.

As you can see, there's a variety of ways to save the environment while saving your money as well. With a few steps, we can make a difference in our lives, as well as for generations to come.

Source:

US Environmental Protection Agency Energy Star Website, "Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs" and "Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs) and Mercury"