Green living tips shouldn't empty your wallet. Here are some simple strategies for saving money and green living.
Green cleaning
Keep harsh chemicals out of your home and hang on to more of your money by stocking up on a few natural products that can be used to clean your house from top to bottom. Vinegar is a great all-purpose cleaner, as is baking soda. Use these two items alone or together for a clean that you can feel good about.
Green energy
Reduce your carbon footprint by finding ways to reduce your home's energy consumption. Use compact fluorescent (CFL) light bulbs, turn down the thermostat, turn off electronics that aren't in use and install a low-flow showerhead. Walk around your home to identify sources of energy waste, then implement the changes necessary to fix them. You'll be saving the environment and your wallet at the same time.
Green renovations
Turn your home into a green haven by using environmentally friendly building materials for all of your home renovations. No-VOC paints, wallpapers and flooring make it easier than ever to do your part-and many of these products carry price tags that are comparable to their less-green counterparts.
Green eating
Organic foods are great, but pricey. If you can't afford to go organic, there are plenty of other green changes that you can make. Shop locally to cut down on pollution, buy products that are minimally packaged, cook more foods from scratch, bring your own reusable grocery bags to the store and avoid restaurants that package meals in Styrofoam and other non-recycleables. Use your food dollars to exact change-even if it is change on a budget.
Green travel
No room in your budget for a hybrid vehicle? No problem. There's still a lot that you can do to green up your travels. Walk or bike around town, take advantage of city transit, carpool to work, vacation closer to home and group your errands. Do whatever you can to cut your gas consumption, and be proud of your efforts.
Green shopping
Organic cotton clothing and the other environmentally responsible items hitting store shelves are great, but not nearly as great as what's hitting the shelves of second-hand stores. Shop your local thrift stores and yard sales before shopping retail stores, and you'll help to keep more out of the landfill and more in your pocket.
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