Money Saving Green Tips

While the idea of going green is generally a popular lifestyle choice, there is a commonly held perception that going green is more expensive.  This is true - many suggestions to go green end up being more expensive than the old way of doing things.  So to help inspire you in your efforts to go green, here are some frugal ways to make a smaller environmental footprint while making your pocket book happy!

Re-usable coffee filters: If you’re not already using these kinds of filters switch now – you’ll still have great tasting coffee but you won’t have to run out to buy filters again!

Mineral Salt Deodorant sticks:  These sticks last a very long time and do not contain harmful ingredients.

Shop at Second Hand Stores: Reuse and recycle – that’s the mantra.  There are great items like clothing and house wares to be found at your local thrift shop.  With this decision you’ll be helping to stop one more item from going to the land fill and you’ll be spending a fraction of what you would pay for the item brand new.

Don’t Drive Fast:  You can improve your mileage by about 15 percent by driving your vehicle at 55 mph instead of 65 mph.

Don’t idle:  Try to avoid letting your engine idle for more than 30 seconds.  If you idle longer than 30 seconds you will end up burning more gas than you would re-starting your engine.

If you can walk, bike, use the transit: The lost art of walking and bicycling to destinations is being rediscovered in communities everywhere. Not only is it better for the environment but it’s a way for us and our kids to develop healthy exercise habits.  It’s also a good way to interact with people in your community.  It’s not so easy to talk to people when your encapsulated in your car. For longer destinations think about public transit – you’ll help to reduce the vehicular traffic on the road and you can read a good book, listen to your iPod or vegetate during your ride.

Where is your Refrigerator?: You will use more energy if you locate your refrigerator in direct sunlight.  Think in advance about the location of your appliances when moving or redecorating your kitchen.

Adjust your Water Heater: If you lower the thermostat on your hot-water heater from about 145 degrees to 120 degrees, the change will be barely noticeable.  This simple step could save you more than $20 a year if you have a gas water heater an more than $50 per year if you have an electric water heater.

You can read more from Tiffany at her blog about Green Parenting, where she writes about green family living, parenting, natural health, safe children's products, and homeschooling. Subscribe to her blog here.

Original post written for 5 Minutes for Going Green.