Going Green is talked about all the time these days. You see it on the news, in articles and on television, especially in commercials. We are implored to go green to save the environment but it might actually be easier said than done. Just as with any subject that gets a huge amount of attention, going green can be somewhat confusing. Some people get into the scientific details about going green and that can be the most confusing part of understanding what going green means. Other people tell you that you must "sell out" and return to a most basic and simple life to go green. Others say you must reduce, reuse, and recycle in order to be green. It can be confusing if you listen to everybody, but it does not have to be.Going green simply means to follow practices in your daily life that will be easier on the environment. You do not have to get rid of your car and buy and electric one, although it would be nice to buy a hybrid or electric one the next time you are in the market for one. Really, just try to be kinder to the environment when you can.
Here is one benefit to being a practical green living individual. Going green can be cheaper than living the non-green way. So, what is the cheapest way to go green? Here is a list of some great ways to go green and save money.
1. Freecycle - This is a great way to save what ends up in our landfills while recycling items that you no longer need. Others benefit because they get something they either need or want for free. What can be better than this. Say you have some clothes you no longer need. Don't toss them, write o free post on Craigslist in the FREE section and arrange for someone to come pick them up. You have more room and they get free clothes. Everyone wins and the environment is saved from landfill material.
2. Adjust Your Thermostat - Drop your thermostat a few degrees and use a blanket when watching television if you think it is colder than normal and you will definitely save money on your electric or gas bill. The less energy used also drops your carbon footprint which is green.
3. Save Water - This is my favorite easy way to go green. I have a post that shows you how many billions of water would be saved if only 1% of the population did this. It is mind boggling and it will also save you money. Read the post here.
4. Clean Your Air Filters - You need to clean or replace your air filters every month or so in order to allow your furnace to heat or cool more efficiently, thus saving you money.
5. Use Canvas Shopping Bags - Buy a set of canvas bags to take with you to the grocery store. You will have to spend about a dollar per bag but will be able to reuse them dozens or hundreds of times. Each time you do this, it saves the environment from the massive amount of plastic bags that are littering our streets, alleys, waterways, etc. I shop at a grocery store that pays me 5 cents for every bag I use when I shop. I have used the same set of bags now for 2 years. That is over 100 times and each bag has earned me $5. Each bag cost me $1 so my profit per bag is $4 currently. Not a lot but it is a savings and I am being kinder to the environment.
6. Use Direct Deposit - I just created a post about this practice. By going to direct deposit, you will save on the money required to drive to the bank and deposit it. The earth will be helped because there will be less energy used to create paper checks, not to mention the trees saved by this practice.
7. Harvest Rainwater - There are complete rainwater harvesting products or you can just get a barrel that sits under the place on your roof where rainwater falls. Use that water on outdoor watering to save money from using the tap water that you have to pay for. It is also kind to the environment to reuse rainwater in this way.
8. Pack a Waste Free Lunch - I love this one. Don't use plastic bags, water bottles, napkins, plastic utensils when packing your lunch. Instead, get a nice reusable drink bottle, pack real utensils that you can bring home and clean and reuse, use a cloth napkin that can be cleaned later, and buy a lunchbox made from recycled material so that you do not have to use paper bags. You will not believe how much money you will save over the year by doing this plus it is good for the environment.
These are just a few of the great ways that you can be green and save money doing it. There are others and I will report on them at a later date. Make sure to bookmark this sit and come back often to see all we have to say about going green. We try to make going green simple.
