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It's no secret that going green can save you money. In fact, it's been estimated that the average household can save up to $1,500 a year by making a few simple changes to their lifestyle. But what are the best ways to go green and save money? In this blog post, we will discuss some easy tips and tricks that will help you reduce your carbon footprint and save money at the same time!
1. Save money washing clothes
Washing clothes in cold water can save you money on your energy bill. You can also line dry your clothes instead of using the dryer. This will not only save you money, but it will also prolong the life of your clothes.
Did you know that most washing machines and detergents are strong enough to wash your clothes with cold water.
2. Re-usable cups
Another great way to save money and go green is to invest in a reusable water bottle or coffee mug. This will help you to reduce the amount of plastic waste that you produce each year. You can also save money on buying bottled water by investing in a home water filtration system.
3. Grow your own food
Homegrown fruits and vegetables taste better than store-bought produce, your own food is also more nutritious. In fact, a recent study found that home-grown tomatoes contain twice as much vitamin C as those bought from a grocery store. And while store-bought produce is often picked before it is ripe, homegrown fruits and vegetables can be allowed to ripen on the plant, resulting in richer flavor.
Growing your own food is also cheaper than buying it from the store, and it is a great way to get exercise and enjoy the outdoors. Moreover, growing your own food is an eco-friendly choice since it reduces transportation emissions. With so many benefits, it is no wonder that more and more people are choosing to grow their own food.
4.Use Less Energy
One of the easiest ways to save money and go green is to simply use less energy. This can be done in a number of ways, such as turning off lights when you leave a room, unplugging electronics when they are not in use, and wearing warmer clothing in the winter so you don't have to crank up the heat. This will no doubt save you money on your electricity bill.
5.LED bulbs
Another great way to save energy (and money) is to switch to LED bulbs. LED bulbs use far less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs, and they also last much longer.
This means you won't have to replace them nearly as often, which will save you both time and money in the long run.
6. Use distilled water instead of bottled water
Save money (and the environment) by using distilled water instead of bottled water. Not only is distilled water more affordable, but it also doesn't require the use of fossil fuels to produce.
You won't have to spend money buying new water filters and you won't ever need to buy bottled water. This means your also not cluttering the environment with plastic packaging.
I have to say having a water distiller is my favourite appliance and I can't live without it. As an avid apartment gardener, my many plants use up gallons of water per week. I just couldn't carry all those bottles of water from the store to satisfy my plants.
So I invested in a water distiller that converts tap water to 100% pure water through the distillation process. I make a gallon of pure water at home in the 3 hours it takes to heat all the water from the chamber and collect the distilled water.
I wouldn't worry about the electric or water bill, the distiller is a low wattage appliance, I never saw any crazy increases on my water bill.
7. Make your own cleaning products
You can save a lot of money by making your own cleaning products at home. There are plenty of recipes online for DIY cleaners that work just as well (if not better) than store-bought options. Plus, they're much safer for the environment since they don't contain harsh chemicals.
8. Composting
Composting is another great way to reduce your carbon footprint and save money. By composting food scraps and other organic materials, you can create a rich soil amendment that will help your plants.
This saves you from having to buy compost at the store which can help make a difference on your monthly budget if you're a gardener.
9. Charity Shops
Charity shops are another great way to save money and reduce your carbon footprint. Second-hand clothes are cheaper than buying new and they don't require the energy and resources to produce. Win-win!
There are many other ways to save money while reducing your carbon footprint. One easy way is to carpool or use public transportation whenever possible. This cuts down on emissions from vehicles and can also help you save on gas money.
10. Work from Home
This might seem like an absurd idea at first. How would working from home help in being eco-friendly? If you work from home, you will not be using personal vehicles like cars and motorbikes. This helps in reducing the number of harmful gases emitted from such cars. You also happen to save money as you will not need to pay for fuel or need to get a punctured tyre repaired, for example. So you should try to work from home if possible. Consider freelancing online if you can.
This is not available to everyone, but due to the pandemic, I'm hopeful more offices are providing work from home options.
11. Visiting Green Public Places
Need a day off to relax? Perhaps grab some picnic food from the store or make it at home and visit green public places. This is going to be a lot cheaper than other recreational activities which often require that you purchase a ticket. Personally, I love going to the woods, parks, or beaches.
Avoid taking plastic items like plastic water bottles, plastic straws or cups with you when you go to these places. There are wooden cutlery sets, cloth napkins and reusable cups you can take with you.
12. Collect Rainwater
In many parts of the world, water is a precious commodity. From California to Cape Town, water shortages are becoming increasingly common, and as a result, water prices are on the rise. One way to combat rising water bills is to collect rainwater. While it may sound like a hassle, collecting rainwater is actually quite easy, and it can save you a significant amount of money over time.
There are a number of ways to collect rainwater, but one of the simplest is to set out a few barrels or buckets during a storm. As the rain falls, it will be collected in your barrels or buckets, and you can then use it to water your plants or wash your car. Not only will you save money, but you'll also help to conserve an important natural resource.
14. Avoid Food waste
As the world population continues to grow, so does the amount of food waste we produce each year. In fact, it is estimated that up to 40% of all food produced in the United States ends up going to waste. That's a lot of uneaten food! Not only is food waste a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, but it also squanders valuable resources like water, land, and labor.
So what can be done to reduce food waste? One solution is to simply avoid buying more food than you need. This can be accomplished by planning your meals in advance and only purchasing the ingredients you need. Another way to avoid wasting food is to donating any extra or unused food to local shelters or food banks.
You can also avoid wasting food by cutting up vegetables from the store when you get home and freezing them. This works well with vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, mushrooms, zucchini and eggplants. I did this because I noticed that I'd occasionally find an unused vegetable in the back of my fridge going mouldy because I simply didn't see it or I forgot it was there.
15. Re-use
It is no secret that we are facing an environmental crisis. Not only are our natural resources rapidly diminishing, but the effects of climate change are becoming more and more pronounced every day. One of the most important things that we can do to combat this crisis is to embrace a culture of sustainability. This means reducing our reliance on non-renewable resources and mindful consumption, as well as reusing and recycling items whenever possible.
One of the best ways to commit to a more sustainable lifestyle is by thinking critically about your consumption habits. This might involve bringing reusable bags to the grocery store or making sure to turn out lights when you leave a room. However, it can also involve practising reuse before recycling or throwing items away. For example, some people keep old plastic bottles in their cars or at home so they can refill them with tap water instead of purchasing bottled water. Others choose furniture that has been carefully repurposed rather than buying new pieces made from cheaper materials and non-biodegradable plastics. By thinking creatively about reuse and conservation, we can all help to reduce our collective impact on the environment and safeguard our planet for generations to come.
16. Programmable Thermostat
If you're looking for a simple way to reduce your monthly utility bills, a programmable thermostat is the answer. These handy devices allow you to automatically adjust the temperature in your home based on your schedule and preferences, saving energy and money along the way.
For instance, you can set the thermostat to lower the temperature at night or while you're away at work, helping you to save energy without compromising your comfort. Additionally, many models are easy to program and feature LCD displays that make it easy to see current settings and change them when needed.
So if you want an affordable and effective way to cut down on your utility costs, consider investing in a programmable thermostat today. Not only will you save money each month, but you'll also help protect the environment by reducing your carbon footprint.
Reducing your energy consumption is another great way to save money and reduce your carbon footprint.
You can do this by unplugging electronics when you’re not using them, using energy-efficient light bulbs, and making sure your home is well insulated.
These are just a few of the many ways you can save money by going green. Implementing even a few of these tips can help you save money and reduce your carbon footprint. Do your part to help the environment and save some cash at the same time!
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