This planet of ours certainly has a lot to give, and Earth Day is one of the best opportunities to give back. Living a more eco-friendly lifestyle is not only good for the environment – it can be good for your wallet, too! We’ve shared a few of our favorite ways to go green while saving some green.
Cut the Lights
If you don’t already flip the switch when you leave the room, now is a great time to make it a habit! While you’re at it, swapping incandescent bulbs for compact fluorescent lights can be a money-saver and an energy-saver. Even better — when it’s bright outside, open the shades and let some sunlight in to keep your home illuminated.
While you don’t have to break out a washboard and soap to do the laundry, you can save some energy by line-drying your clothes once they’ve been washed. You’ll increase the longevity of your favorite apparel and keep high energy bills at bay.
Spending Leaks
We know showers are a time of personal reflection and hatching brilliant ideas, but speeding up that lather and rinse can save you money on the water bill. Also, be sure to turn off the tap when you’re brushing your teeth or scrubbing dishes. Although water may feel like it’s an abundant resource (after all, it never stops running out of the faucet until you turn it off), it’s not as limitless as it may appear.
When you need some extra water, but don’t want to turn on the tap, consider setting up a barrel to catch rain – it can be great for washing the car or watering those indoor plants.
Reduce, Reuse
In a consumer-driven culture, we often find ourselves with much more “stuff” than we actually need. Instead of shopping for new clothes, organize a swap with other families and see how much you can repurpose. You can also donate unwanted items to help others in need and reduce potential landfill waste.
That one-time-use coffee pod may be handy, but is it good for the environment? It seems as if everything now has a disposable counterpart, but it’s always best to purchase reusable products when possible. Food storage, water bottles and bags are all items available in reusable form – saving you money and saving the planet at the same time.
Get Going, Go Green
We’re busy people. Always on the move; always somewhere else to be. All that travel usually means lots of time on the road – but it doesn’t have to be behind the wheel. Instead of driving everywhere, try walking or biking to your destination. Most major cities offer a robust public transit offering, so you could even take the train or bus when you need to get out and about. If driving is a must, at least see if you have a friend or coworker going the same way – carpooling is great for saving gas and money, and you might even get special privilege to use the HOV lane!
Emerge Financial Wellness 