10 Ways to Go Green and Save Green

1. Save energy to save money.
•Set your thermostat a few degrees lower in the winter and a few degrees higher in the summer to save on heating and cooling costs.
•Use a drying rack or clothesline to save the energy otherwise used during machine drying.
2. Save water to save money.
•Take shorter showers to reduce water use. This will lower your water and heating bills too.
•Make sure you have a faucet aerator on each faucet. These inexpensive appliances conserve heat and water, while keeping water pressure high.
3. Less gas = more money (and better health!).
•Walk or bike to work. This saves on gas and parking costs while improving your cardiovascular health and reducing your risk of obesity.
4. Eat smart
•If you eat meat, add one meatless meal a week. Meat costs a lot at the store-and it's even more expensive when you consider the related environmental and health costs.
•Watch videos about why local food and sustainable seafood are so great.
5. Skip the bottled water.
•Use a water filter to purify tap water instead of buying bottled water. Not only is bottled water expensive, but it generates large amounts of container waste.
•Bring a reusable water bottle, preferably aluminum rather than plastic, with you when traveling or at work.
6. Think before you buy.
•Go online to find new or gently used secondhand products. Whether you've just moved or are looking to redecorate, consider a service like craigslist or FreeSharing to track down furniture, appliances, and other items cheaply or for free.
•Check out garage sales, thrift stores, and consignment shops for clothing and other everyday items.
7. Borrow instead of buying.
•Borrow from libraries instead of buying personal books and movies. This saves money, not to mention the ink and paper that goes into printing new books.
•Share power tools and other appliances. Get to know your neighbors while cutting down on the number of things cluttering your closet or garage
8. Buy smart.
•Buy in bulk. Purchasing food from bulk bins can save money and packaging.
•Wear clothes that don't need to be dry-cleaned. This saves money and cuts down on toxic chemical use.
9. Keep electronics out of the trash.
•Keep your cell phones, computers, and other electronics as long as possible.
•Recycle your cell phone.
10. Make your own cleaning supplies.
•The big secret: you can make very effective, non-toxic cleaning products whenever you need them. All you need are a few simple ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, lemon, and soap.