Green Ways to Save Money
Choosing environmentally-friendly habits is a growing trend in American culture. Earth Day, green products, recycling and conservation messages are sprouting up everywhere we look. Sometimes earth-friendly alternatives are the more expensive options. However, the wealthy are not the only ones able to make greener choices. Here are a few ways to help save the earth while also saving some green in your wallet.
Cleaning Supplies
Instead of springing the extra bucks for special “eco-friendly” cleaners, you can save money while you clean green by creating your own cleaning products. Check out this simple recipe for all-purpose cleaner, courtesy of Greenpeace:
All-Purpose Cleaner
- ½ cup pure soap
- 1 gallon hot water
- ¼ cup lemon juice
This solution is safe for all surfaces, should be rinsed with water, and is very effective for most jobs. For a stronger cleaner, double the amounts of soap and lemon juice.
Greenpeace also offers recipes for disinfectants, scouring powder, air fresheners, liquid dish soap, window spray, carpet cleaner, furniture polish, floor polish and metal polish. Visit their website to view, print and share theses recipes. You can save money – and the earth – by sticking to homemade concoctions.
Is making your own cleaning product too much hassle? Check out eco-friendly products the next time you’re at the store. These products have expensive reputations, but are sometimes the same price as your regular brand. Some may even be less expensive.
Save Water
Conservation is the most foolproof way to save money on just about anything, and that includes water. Be resourceful with the water you use at home and you can easily lower your water bill. Here are a few easy water-savings tips:
- Run only full dishwasher loads and save up to 20 gallons of water per load, or 7,300 gallons/yr – the average amount a person drinks in a lifetime (Bankrate.com)
- Don’t let the water run when you wash dishes by hand. Soap up a bunch of dishes with the faucet off and then rinse them all at once.
- Water outdoor plants and flowers after the hot afternoon sun starts to set. Plants soak up more water overnight when the sun does not evaporate it right away, so you can water them less often.
- Collect water used for rinsing veggies and fruit and use it to water houseplants.
- Collect rain runoff from your roof to water plants the next time they need a drink.
- Don’t let the water run when you brush your teeth or shave.
- Put food coloring in your toilet tank and check if it seeps into the bowl before you flush. If so, there is a leak which may be wasting 1,000s of gallons every month.
- These and many other quick water-savings tips can be found at www.wateruseitwisely.com.
Motivating Fact: 90% of the energy used in your washing machine goes to heating the water (US Dept of Energy). Use cold or warm water or switch to a cold-water detergent and save up to $63/yr (Alliance to Save Energy).
Quick Energy Tip: Check with your utility company to see if they offer discounted rates for running major appliances (e.g., washer, dryer, dish washer) during off-peak hours.
Consider Carpooling
Street Cents has devoted a few Frugal Forums to saving money on gas (like here and here). Employing these tips can add up to big savings, but the cost of gas is not likely to be going down anytime soon. Carpooling is one surefire way to cut your gas bill in half – at least – and save the environment at the same time. There are several ways to pursue it.
- Whether you are looking for a passenger or for a ride check out www.erideshare.com. You can register, place a listing or browse other listings for possible carpoolers for free. Search for daily commuters or plan a trip. The site also provides carpooling tips, safety tips and environmental information.
- Talk to your coworkers or your employer to see if others may be interested in carpooling. Use your community bulletin board or send an inter-office memo/email to find out if others are interested.
- Do you share similar destinations and work schedules with friends or neighbors? Their gas bills could probably use a break too. Ask if they might want to carpool, even a day or two a week. If your schedules are slightly off you can use the extra waiting time to do the things you never seem to find time to do – read the paper or a book, do the crossword puzzle, people watch at the corner coffee shop, etc.
Get Rewarded for Recycling
Some recyclers may be able to gain “points” and receive rewards from a variety of participating stores. Check out www.recyclebank.com if youlive in one of the following states:
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If you (or someone you know) live in one of these states and already recycle, make sure you get the benefits you deserve. Visit the site, click on your state, then your city and find out what rewards you can get.
If you’re not a resident of one of these states but you are interested in recycling, you can still explore their site for information and links to other helpful resources.
More Green Resources
Want more eco-friendly info and resources? Check out these sites for more ways to help your world:
