The Low Down On Green Living
October 27th, 2008
MORE Ways to Go Green and Save Money
Stumble it!
Man oh man this economy stinks like old fish! These days I am constantly on the quest to find more ways to save money. And naturally I try to work some eco-smarts into my eco-nomic decisions.
We did a post earlier this year on how to Go Green and Save Some Green– including canceling your paper newspaper subscription, eating at home, and installing a programmable thermostat. Here is a new set of good green saving ideas to consider.
Re-embrace Your Local Library. I am ashamed to admit that I have probably spent $50 on new books over the past year….and that is just dumb. It’s dumb because it kills trees AND I’m wasting money. I need some new reading materials and I’m going to the library. I might also cancel my Netflix and see if I can just rent DVDs at the library. These two actions would probably save me over $250 over the next year. Cha-ching.
Make Your Fancy Coffee at Home. I started doing this last year and I have probably saved well over $150. Invest in some hazelnut syrup or whatever flavor tingles your taste buds– and you could even look for a used cappuccino machine on Craigslist. Why is this eco-smart you ask? Because you are not getting plastic and paper cups and napkins at the cafe– and you might be saving some gas by not stopping by the Starbucks.
Make Your Own Green Home Cleaners. With lemon juice, vinegar and a few other simple ingredients you can make any kind of home cleaner you need. You’ll save at least $50/year by making your own. Click here to learn how to make your own safe home cleaners.
Can You Swap Your Car for a Scooter? Now we’re heading into winter so you people in Minneapolis are probably rolling your eyes at me right now…but for those of us in more temperate climates this can be a great option. My husband and I are seriously considering going from two cars to one car and a Vespa. The savings can be significant: $1000+ on auto insurance, $100 on oil changes….and the scooter can get anywhere from 50 to 70 miles per gallon, so your gas money goes waaaay further. Great mileage also means your carbon emissions will be slashed. There are even some really cool electric scooters on the market you should check out.
Join an Organic Food Service with Your Friends. You can join a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program near you that offer weekly or monthly deliveries or pick-ups of delicious, fresh, organic produce. You can get a few friends together and share the cost and the produce. It’s a lot cheaper and more delicious than the standard grocery store! Click here to find a CSA near you.
Have a Clothes-Swap Party. Get 15 of your friends and tell everyone to bring sweaters, shirts, purses, belts, and anything else they are sick of. Drink some booze and have a fashion show. Then take your “new” duds home and pat yourself on the booty for saving money and reusing resources.
Do you have more good ideas on how to save money and our planet? Please share them in the comments section!
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Comments
Richard
October 27th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
I am trying to see what people think of this idea. What if instead of worrying about broken systems for the bailout we pour money into alternative ways to transport people and goods? Did this not help in the past when new highways were built? This could not only be a chance to get us out of our deficit but also go a bit green. I was reading this site and thought it was a great idea. Not necessarily that we should put tons of money here but here and things like this. http://www.petergreenberg.com/2008/10/27/tired-of-airplanes-how-about-a-zeppelin/
Carla
October 27th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Some libraries also have ebooks that can also save you a trip - though my eyes don’t like staring at a screen for too long! I use them for technical and computer books that will be obsolete in less than a year anyway.
John
October 27th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
My wife brings back some amazing quality stuff from the local thrift stores. She buys toys and after the kids tire of them she takes them back and donates them. Very little money changes hands and all are made happy.
jennbreck
October 28th, 2008 at 9:03 am
All excellent suggestions! Thank you J!
Lisa Rooney
October 28th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
On Thursday, November 13th, at 7pm, the Chicago Western Suburbs Chapter of the Holistic Moms Network (HMN) will host Joe Haverly, Professor of Environmental Biology at Rock Valley College, who will give a public talk about ways people can reduce their consumption and simplify their lives. The event will be held at The Health Doctors, 28379 Davis Parkway, Suite 803, in Warrenville, IL. Haverly will address the current “affluenza” epidemic that is plaguing a majority of Americans today. HMN is a national non-profit connecting parents interested in holistic health and green living. Thanks!
Lynn
October 28th, 2008 at 6:25 pm
Downloading audiobooks onto your computer or MP3 player will save paper.
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