How to Save Money and Be Eco-Friendly in Easy Steps

One of the best things about being eco-friendly and saving money is that the two principles go hand-in-hand. Here are some steps you can take to implement both of these ideals.

1. Buy seasonal, local food. This is eco-friendly because it reduces “food miles,” thus saving fuel. It saves you money because seasonal, local produce takes less effort to grow and to transport. (You have to pay for a lot of extra energy if you’re buying hot-house tomatoes in the middle of January.)

2. Combine your shopping trips. This will save fuel – you buy less of it, and fewer emissions go into the atmosphere.

3. Turn off lights and appliances when you aren’t using them. Conserving electricity definitely saves you money. And when you use less of it, that means less fossil fuel is used to produce it.

4. Unplug appliances and electronics so that they do not charge up all the time. This includes laptop and cell phone adaptors.

5. Reduce your water usage – and your water bill. Time your showers. Turn off the faucet when you are brushing your teeth or scrubbing dishes. Install aerators on your faucets and, if your budget permits, low-flow shower heads and toilets. If possible, set up a rain barrel to have free water available for plants and other non-drinking applications.

6. Reuse. This is such a basic principle but it saves so much money and prevents so much waste. Learn to make tote bags, scarves, blankets, pillow shams, and other basic items out of used or torn clothing. You can even cut up old t-shirts for rags, thus reducing your use of paper towels.

7. Choose cloth over paper. Whether it’s for cleaning up a spill or wiping your hands and mouth at the table, using cloth will save you a bundle. Not having to buy paper towels and napkins can save a lot, and it greatly reduces the amount of waste paper your household generates.

8. Don’t pay for packaging. Excessive packaging makes food more expensive and generates lots of waste. Save yourself some money and increase your health by eating whole, fresh foods instead.

9. Maintain your car. It gets expensive to drive a poorly-maintained car; it uses more oil and gas. Spending a little to keep it in top shape is better for the environment and will save you money in the long run. Make sure your tires are inflated according to your car manufacturer’s instructions, too. This extends the life of your tires and increases the fuel efficiency of your car.

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