Eco-Friendly Tips that Save Money
Living an eco-friendly lifestyle doesn’t necessarily mean a more expensive and inconvenient existence because there are several ways to go green that are easy and economical.
Being environmentally conscious is about cutting out the waste, being more hands-on and simplifying your way of life. By doing so, you can help to save the planet, and even put some extra cash in your pocket in the process. Have a look at these simple eco-friendly tips that you can start implementing today.
Eating Home Grown Foods
For those who have a green thumb, planting your own herbs, veggies, and fruits may be the “farm to table” way of life you are used to, but for others, it may sound like a complicated and time-consuming task. The truth is, growing your own food is actually quite simple. Having the right environment and space needed for a garden is half the battle. Planting green beans, salad greens and tomatoes are some of the easiest foods to grow and can save you plenty on your food bill.
Living in an urban community may present a problem that makes planting a garden next to impossible. If that is an issue for you, try growing a windowsill herb garden. In some cities, there are also community garden plots available for residents to use. Search on the USDA website for information on garden locations, resources and grants.
Home Cooked
Eating at home not only has a positive effect on your wallet and the environment, but it also promotes a healthier lifestyle. Cooking at home instead of eating out can save you from over-indulging, over-extending yourself financially and over-consuming unhealthy fats, carbs, and sodium.
Over 40% of the food in our nation is ultimately thrown away. That means nearly half of the volume of our landfills should not be there, releasing harmful gases into the atmosphere. By carefully planning your meals and only buying the items you need, you can make a big difference in the health of our environment, as well as your wallet.
Insulate Your Home
There are many benefits to insulating your home. While installing insulation can carry a substantial upfront cost, you will save on heating and air conditioning for years to come, paying for your initial investment several times over. A home that is not insulated will consistently experience higher service charges.
Use Energy Efficient Appliances
Look into purchasing energy-efficient appliances, the initial cost may be a bit more, but the appliances are durable, environmentally friendly and operate on minimal energy. Using less energy will help to cut costs on monthly utility bills, ultimately covering the cost of your new appliances over time.
Unplug Everything
There are many appliances or electronics that are using energy even if they are switched off. Take the time to unplug anything you are not using to avoid being charged. Items like toaster ovens, DVD players, Apple TV, and computers are constantly using energy. The only way to stop the slow bleed from these “energy vampires” is to unplug them when they are not in use, or plug them into a power strip and switch it off when you’re away.
Turn Off the Lights
There is a reason why light switches are located by the door. It makes it easy to turn the lights on when you enter a room, and off when you exit. Making a habit of turning off the lights when you leave a room will help to save on energy, which in turn will cut costs on your energy bill.
Get Green with a Payday Loan
Sometimes no matter how hard you try, there are times when your bills could get ahead of you, especially in the summer and winter seasons. When your paycheck is not in sync your utility bill due date, a payday loan could help fill the payday gap and keep the lights on. In as little as 30 minutes as you could receive from $100-255 in payday loan cash to cover any kind of expense, you are facing between pay periods. Going green is not as easy as getting the green you need, but the effort is well worth it. Start small and before you know it, you'll be an eco-pro with fat pockets to show for it.
Note: The content provided in this article is only for informational purposes, and you should contact your financial advisor about your specific financial situation.