Living a cleaner, greener life doesn’t have to be a choice based on budget constraints. By making a few smart adjustments it is actually possible to save money while going green.
Get a Filter to Save Money on Buying Bottled Water
Manufacturing the plastic container that holds the water actually uses about three times the amount of water held in the bottle and about 85% of those bottles end up in landfill sites where they will take thousands of years to disintegrate. Simply installing a water filter on the nozzle of the kitchen sink can help avoid spending money unnecessarily on bottled water.
Plant a Vegetable Garden to Save Money
This is an all-round great solution. Planting a kitchen garden saves money at the grocery store, adds some green to the environment and ensures the vegetables that make it to the kitchen table are fresh and chemical free.
Switch to Compact Fluorescents to Save Energy
The average lifespan of an incandescent bulb is about 1000 hours, while a CFL will last up to 5000 hours. They also use less energy than their predecessors. If each American household converted just 5 light bulbs a year to CFL the impact would be the same as removing 8 million cars from the roads.
Only Wash Full Loads of Clothes to Conserve Water
Washing only full loads of clothes saves water and energy and the move will also be reflected on the utility bills. Washing clothes in cold water is another slight change that can make a big difference. This saves a bundle on the electricity bill while bringing down the carbon footprint.
Change Window Coverings to Save Energy
Adding blackout blinds can help to regulate the indoor temperature without overworking air conditioners. This can really make a big impact on the energy consumption and of course it saves money as well.
Join Freecycle.com to Donate Used Items or Get Something Used for Free
Freecycle.com has over 6 million members across the globe. The premise is that members can upload items that they would like to give away but they can also get used items completely free. Membership is free and each group is moderated by a local volunteer. This organization successfully diverts over 500 tons of items from reaching landfills every day.
Park the Car to Conserve Gas
Arrange a carpool system with work colleagues or take public transportation where possible. This reduces the number of cars on the roadways and essentially cuts carbon emissions a little at a time.
It is possible to live a greener life without breaking the budget in the process. Contrary to popular belief, choosing the earth-friendly option is often the cheaper thing to do.
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