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Green Home Living
Save Some Green While Going Green - Great Tips

Save Some Green While Going Green

What could be better than helping out the environment? Why, saving some money while you are helping out the environment, of course!

Of course, most everyone wants to lower their carbon footprint and help the environment be healthier but if you can save money doing it, then you have the best of both worlds. Luckily, there are many ways to go green and save some green at the same time. Here are 5 things you can do that will help boost your bank account and the environment:

1. Buy Second Hand – most people don’t think of buying second hand stuff as being environmentally consciences but when you buy something second hand it helps to keep that item from ending up in a landfill. Not only that but buying second hand can save you a bundle! Plus buying something used doesn’t mean you have to settle for something that is broken or damaged – there are plenty of brand new items waiting for you to pick them up. Great places to shop for second hand goods include eBay, Craigslist, yard sales, flea markets and Consignment stores.

2. Energy Efficient Lighting – Swapping your incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lighting might cost a bit at first, but it can save you a bundle in the long run in energy costs. In fact, fluorescent lights use 1/3 the energy that incandescent do and, since lighting is typically one of the largest energy uses in any home, this could save you 25% or more on your bill. Not only that but compact fluorescent lights last 10 times longer so you won’t have to buy them nearly as often. Want even more savings? Then seek out the new LED lighting – they are more efficient and the lighting itself is much better then the fluorescents.

3. Save On Paper Towels – If you’re anything like me, you probably use a ton of paper towels in the kitchen. They’re great for wiping up spills, drying off your hands and putting food on but what do you think happens with them once you are don? Right – they end up in the landfill! You can reduce your costs for paper towels and lighten the load on the landfills by using cloth kitchen towels instead. Invest in a bunch of them and make sure they are handing for wiping up. You’ll be amazed at how few paper towels you really need!

4. Eat More Veggies – Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that eating more fruits and vegetables and less meat is better for your health, but did you realize that it’s also better for the environment? Yes, it’s true, raising cattle takes a huge toll on the environment. Plus beef costs more than vegetables so why not help your health and the environment by replacing a few of your meaty meals with vegetarian choices?

5. Conserve Water – There are many options in faucets today that will help you conserve water which, of course help the environment and saves you on your water bill. You can get low flow facets and smart faucets that will automatically shut off after a certain amount of time or sense when something is under it – turn the water on and then sense when nothing is under it and turn the water off.