Many people think “going green” or living environmentally friendly is expensive, but there are many ways that it can be cost friendly.
Most newer appliances, such as refrigerator, dishwasher, clothes washer and air conditioner are Energy Star appliances that use less energy. If you have appliances that are quite old, you may save money by replacing them and saving on energy costs over time. If you are not already in the habit of turning off lights, television and other items when they are not being used, try getting into the habit of doing so. Also, be mindful of the amount of water you are using. Turn off the faucet when you are brushing your teeth or scrubbing pots when washing dishes by hand.
Some appliances use energy if they are plugged in, even if they are not turned on. You can save money and energy by unplugging these appliances when not in use. This also applies to chargers for your electronic devices such as mobile phones and computers.
Rechargeable batteries are often a better choice than disposable batteries. Many batteries contain harmful chemicals that can hurt the environment. Rechargeable batteries cost more at first, but you may save money over time since they can be used repeatedly.
Many household cleaners contain ingredients that can be hazardous to you, your children and pets. There are many recipes available to make cleaning products from household items such as vinegar, lemon juice and baking powder.
By reducing the use of your vehicle, you can gain health benefits, save gas expenses and help the environment. When possible, consider walking or biking instead of driving. Other ways to save on vehicle use are taking public transportation or carpooling with others.
Many people cringe at the thought of purchasing items second hand, but it is a great way to save money and help save the environment. When items are donated to second hand stores and purchased by others it saves them from ending up in the landfill. Many items that are found in thrift stores are a fraction of the price in retail stores and many are new or almost new. A number of items still have original price tags or packaging.
Some retail stores donate their excess inventory to second hand stores instead of them ending up in the landfill.
Instead of purchasing items that you will only need to use once or twice, consider borrowing them from a neighbor or renting them from a rental business. This saves from having items sit around and take up space and costing you money that you could spend on something else.
Purchasing from local businesses may seem like it costs more, but in supporting local businesses have an impact on community. Many have a tough time competing with larger retailers that come into their area. When the local businesses end up closing, there are more people that lose their way of earning an income.
Gardening or purchasing from local farmers helps both the environment and saves you money. By purchasing items that are raised locally, they tend to be fresher and better quality. There are also less transportation costs when purchasing items grown locally.
There are many ecologically friendly habits that can also save you money.