Conserve Energy Will Save Money

There are some things you can do right now that will help save you some money and help the environment all at the same time. For starters set your thermostat a degree lower in the winter and higher in the summer so you are using less energy to heat and cool your home. Change your light bulbs to CFLs (compact fluorescent light bulbs). They last longer and use less energy. Not using an appliance? Unplug it. Just because it is not in use does not mean it does not draw power. Use cold water when you wash clothes. More than 80% of the energy in washing clothes goes to heating the water. In the warmer months forgo the dryer and hang your clothes outside and let Mother Nature do the work for you.

Reducing Water Use Cuts Costs

Take a shower instead of a bath, and change your shower head to a slow flow. You will use less water, especially hot water which we covered in the previous energy saving tip. Invest in a water recirculation pump. In a lot of homes when you turn the hot water on it does not come out hot right away therefore many gallons of water get wasted. These devices take that cold water and send it back to the water heater (or other areas) for reuse until the water hits the temperature you are looking for.

Use Less Gas - Pay Less Out of Your Pocket

Do you work close to home? In the warmer months bike or walk to work. Doing this for even one day out of the week helps tremendously on costs. Does your company allow for telecommuting? If so ask if you could telecommute from home at least one day per week, or as my one friend's office does, you can work on flex time. In other words you can work 40 hours of 4 days as opposed to 5 days which eliminates one day of driving. Car pool with others from work, combine trips out, and take public transportation are all other ways you can save money on your fuel costs without investing in a new car or something else.

Say No to Bottled Water

Invest a water filter that can either be hooked up directly to your faucet or a Brita water filter pitcher that can sit in your fridge. Then when you are on the go, use the filtered water in your reusable sports bottle to take water with you anywhere you go.

Be Smart When you Buy

If you are in the market for a product do all of your research first before you go run that errand and buy it. Is it something that has to be new? Are you handy and can you make the product out of existing materials? Can you get the product free from a yard sale, flea market or online at Craigslist. Walk your neighborhood the night before trash night, you'd be surprised what your neighbors throw away. I was able to grab a complete outdoor patio set, with a little elbow grease cleaning it, it was good in no time. Five years later I still have it. Reusing something somebody else has no need for keeps it out of the local landfill and that my friend is going green.

These are just some of the many creative ways you can implement cost saving ideas and going green all at the same time. As you can see they are cost effective, use little of your time, and do tremendous good on the impact of our environment.