Save the Planet and Your Wallet with Five Easy Beginner Steps

Do you want to go green but you can't afford to overhaul your lifestyle? You can make small changes that will help you Go green without taking drastic measures to make a difference. Try out these 5 easy baby steps to be kinder to the planet (and your wallet).

Go green with your coffee routine
If you're buying coffee every day and using disposable cups, buy a reusable coffee mug. For one person buying coffee just once a day, it will keep 365 plastic or Styrofoam cups out of the land fills. Stop using the plastic stirring straws too. You won't need to stir if you put the cream and sugar in the mug before you pour your coffee. I bring my own stirring spoon that I keep in my purse.

Go green with grocery bags!
Stop using the plastic bags you get at the check out stand in stores. By using your own bags you'll keep the store bags out of the landfills. If you can't afford your own bags and you know how to crochet, you can make your own from the plastic bags you get in stores. Tipnut has 35 reusable grocery bag patterns made from different materials. When you unload your groceries, remember to store the bags in your car so they'll be there when you need them.

Go green by giving away your trash
The next time you have something that you don't want, give it to a thrift store. It can be anything. Shoes, tools, clothes, that broken TV, the computer that died, hangers or the ugly green plate Grandma gave you for your birthday. Your trash could be someone's treasure and keeps reusable items out of the landfills. A great idea if your home sees a lot of visitors is a "giving bin". Set a large storage bin near your door with "FREE to a good home" written on the side. Anyone coming over can browse through the bin and take what they want.

Go green- Don't heat your water
A bath uses twice as much water as a shower. Showering will save water and since you will be using less water, you'll be heating less water and using less energy. While you're patting yourself dry, pat yourself on the back for being kinder to the world and your checkbook. At night, go an extra step by turning off the breaker to your water heater. You can also buy a timer that will turn it off for you at certain times so you won't have to remember and you won't be running the water heater when you don't need it.

Switch bulbs then turn them off.
Switching to fluorescent bulbs will save you money on your electric bill. During the day, keep them turned off and open your curtains to light your house and enjoy the view of the outside world. At night, turn off the lights you are not using and only use one bulb to light the room your in. Not only will you help your budget but you'll be helping the planet as well.

Every small step you take will not only benefit your budget but will help save the planet. Give yourself a high five for that!