From energy consumption and pollution to rising utility bills and higher
costs at the grocery store, today’s consumers feel the financial pinch. Going
green is one way consumers are cutting back on their usual expenses.
Environmentally friendly choices aren’t just good for the earth, they’re good
for the wallet, too. Here are a few ways to save some green by going green.
Switch to
Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs
Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs) use less energy than standard
incandescent light bulbs. One Energy Star-rated CFL saves about $40 in
electricity over the lifetime of the bulb. CFLs cost more upfront than
incandescent light bulbs, but Energy Star-rated CFLs last about six times longer.
Grow Your
Own Produce
Image via
Flickr by daryl_mitchell
You can save a lot of money at the grocery store by growing your own produce
at home. Whether you have a full-fledged garden or simply grow a few tomatoes
and herbs on a window sill, it means less money you’re spending at the checkout
line. If you’re not into the idea of growing your own vegetables, buy local
produce. You’ll save by not paying the markup and transportation costs that add
up throughout the supply chain.
Conserve
Electricity with Smart Choices
Energy is one of the biggest expenses and environmental concerns the world
faces today. In fact, there are even
energy books by Daniel Yergin that address the future
of energy and how energy use, availability, and conservation impacts society.
There are several ways to cut energy costs in your home, including CFLs,
turning off lights and electronics when not in use, and choosing Energy
Star-rated appliances. Set your thermostat to a lower temperature during the
day when you're not home and reduce heating costs and fuel usage.
Use Smart
Power Strips to Reduce Energy Use
There are also smart power strips on the market that detect when your
electronics aren’t in use. Electronics sap energy if they’re plugged in, even
when they’re not powered on. Smart power strips cut the electricity to those
electronics when they’re not being used, which reduces your energy consumption.
Shop for
Recycled Products
Whether you’re making home improvements or purchasing groceries at a local
retailer, choosing sustainable or recycled products helps you save money while
saving the environment, too. Manufacturers save money by using recycled
materials for creating products, resulting in more affordable products on
retail shelves. Anything from recycled carpeting with low volatile organic
compounds (VOCs) to recycled paper products for the home are often less
expensive than their new-material counterparts.
Use
Low-Flow Appliances to Conserve Water
Image via
Flickr by Carnie Lewis
Water conservation is just as important as energy conservation. If you use
the public water supply, you’re paying a monthly or quarterly bill based on
your usage. Cut down on those costs by collecting rain water and using it for
washing cars or watering plants. Low-flow appliances, such as toilets and
shower heads, offer significant savings by reducing the amount of water used
for regular household needs.
Walk or
Bike to Work
If you live close to work, consider walking or biking to the office. If
you don’t live close enough, talk to your employer about telecommuting a few
days each week or full-time. You’ll save on gas and cut down on carbon
emissions, which are harmful to the environment. As an added bonus, your
physical health benefits from the added exercise.
These few simple cost-cutting measures won’t just breathe new life into your
checking account, you’ll be helping society cut back on energy and natural
resource consumption and providing for a more sustainable future for coming generations.
Author
Bio:
Angela
Stringfellow is a full-time freelance writer and content marketing strategist
totally obsessed with all things Web 2.0. A motocross and soccer mom, she's
usually enjoying the beautiful outdoor scenery of Central PA when she's not
busy developing engaging marketing strategies and creating compelling copy for
clients.
