Going green may be good for the health of the planet, but it is often very unhealthy for the health of your savings. However, going green does not only mean shopping at chic eco-friendly boutiques or buying expensive organic produce. Here are some tips for going green and still living within your means.
Go green in your garden
One of the easiest ways to go green is in your garden. If you are an avid gardener or you’re just getting started in this rewarding practice, you’ll find that it’s one of the best ways to go green without spending a lot of money. Why pay a lot of money for fresh organic produce when you can grow it yourself? There are many pros to starting your own organic garden. First, you choose what you want to grow and eat. You control exactly what goes into growing your fruits and vegetables. Finally, you save a lot of money by growing your own fresh produce. You don’t need a farm to grow your own vegetables. Even if you live in a cramped apartment, chances are you can still grow some staple produce items. For instance, tomatoes grow just about everywhere. With a little care and patience, you will experience the unique pleasure of growing your own dinner, and saving a lot of money in the process. If you have a small space or corner in your yard, make your own fertilizer by composting your fruit and vegetable scraps. Banana peels, melon rinds, apple cores and used tea bags can all become valuable fuel for a great compost pile.
Shop at your local farmer’s market
Chances are you won’t be able to grow all of your own fruits and vegetables. When you need to stock up on your favorite produce, head to your local farmers market. Buying locally is a great way to shop green since it uses less fuel for your produce to get to the market. It can also be easier to find deals on local produce, especially if you live in an area where certain fruits or vegetables grow in abundance.
Going green in your work life
Chances are that you can save a lot of money by going green in your everyday work life. For example, if you commute to work each day, you are probably spending a hefty price just on gas and car maintenance. Save money and help the environment by carpooling, taking the train or bus into work or by walking or biking. There are now many helpful services online that help match commuters. There may be someone in your neighborhood with a similar commuter route that you can carpool with. If possible, you should also look into teleconferencing and telecommuting if your job permits. Air travel has never been costlier or more hectic. Avoid the stress of traveling by car and air by teleconferencing instead.
Going green around the house
Your house is a place of comfort and rest. But it is also probably a place that costs a lot to maintain. Cut down on home maintenance costs by going green whenever possible. Make sure you have adequate insulation to keep your house cool in summer and warmer in winter. Change the filters on your air conditioning unit regularly to keep it working long and more efficiently. If possible, upgrade to Energy Star appliances to save money on refrigeration and washing and dryer units. If you haven’t already, upgrade to eco-friendly fluorescent bulbs. They may cost a bit more, but you will save money on your utility bill in the long run, and save yourself the trouble of changing your bulbs often.