But I Thought Earth Day Was Last Month...

Being environmental friendly not only saves energy, it also saves money! Here are a few simple ways to "go green" without spending money or making drastic changes to your habits. I will elaborate on some of these suggestions in later posts.

Turn off the lights!

Install compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) when your older incandescent bulbs burn out.

UNPLUG! Appliances and chargers use electricity even when they are turned off. Power strips make this super simple.

Don't overfill your refrigerator.

Turn off the A/C! Open your windows instead.

Set your thermostat a few degrees lower. (It makes a HUGE difference in your bill.)

Cover your windows with plastic insulation and thick curtains during the winter to retain heat.

Keep your house shaded in the summer by closing blinds in the rooms that get a lot of direct sunlight.

Hang your clothes up to dry instead of using a dryer.

If you use a dishwasher, turn off the heated dry option.

Shower only when necessary. Shower quickly. Learn to enjoy a cool shower.

Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth, washing your face, etc.

Wash your clothes only when absolutely necessary, and use cold water.

Don't wash your car or water your lawn. Seriously, is that necessary?

Aim to put less trash on your curb. Recycling, composting, and reducing the amount of single-use products you purchase are some solutions.

Minimize toilet flushes. If it's yellow, let it mellow!

Say NO to bottled water. Buy a reusable beverage container and bring it everywhere.

Make your own cleaning products.

Buy used!

Bring a reusable coffee mug to the cafe. Many places offer a discount for doing so.

Say no to one time use items such as plastic bags, styrofoam containers, straws, and plastic cutlery. Bring along reusable items.

Sign up for online billing and direct deposit to reduce the amount of paper you waste.

Grow your own food!

Use a rain barrel to collect water for your plants.

Walk or ride a bike for nearby errands. Utilize public transportation. When you must drive, combine trips and carpool.

Breastfeed (if applicable).

Use a menstrual cup instead of disposable pads or tampons.