Go Green To Save Green
Let’s face it–as the climate of the planet rises, and as the temperature on Wall Street drops, being weary of protecting the green upon which we walk while being conscious of preserving the green in our back pockets is becoming ever-more essential to the well-being of our society. The phrase “going green” is thrown around a lot these days, especially now that “going green” has become relatively fashionable. However, it is easier to say you’re “going green” than it is to really temper your financially frivolous tendencies, change your life and go all-the-way, Kermit the Frog style green–the latter requires a little sacrifice. But there is, as it turns out, much inspiration to actualize a more environmentally-conscious lifestyle. If you “go green,” you will save green–here’s how.??
Save energy, save money This might seem obvious, but unplug your appliances when you’re not using them. Showcase self-restraint in setting the temperature of your thermostat during the winter and summer months, or simply buy a programmable thermostat for your home. Upgrade old cooling systems: Invest in a central air-conditioning unit with a seasonal efficiency ratio of 14 or higher–doing so will reduce your carbon-dioxide emissions by more than 15,000 pounds a year.?
Save water, save money Take shorter showers. Buy a water filter to purify tap water instead of buying bottled water; if you need to drink water out of a bottle, buy a reusable, aluminum water bottle. Also, utilize drought-tolerant native plants in your garden or yard. If you live in Arizona, for instance, don’t litter your backyard with citrus and pine trees that will require constant sprinkler-attention to survive. Instead, plant some beautiful desert plants, such as Saguaros, Palo Verdes, Mesquites, and Iron Woods. ?
Use less gas, use less money This goes without saying, but avoid wasting gas as much as possible. Walk or bike to work or school. Utilize public transportation. When you do have to use a car, consolidate trips to locations that are close to each other; map out your errands. And when you’re driving, avoid letting your engine idle for more than 30 seconds–any longer will burn more gasoline than restarting the engine, so turn the car off if you expect a long wait. Also, don’t speed: driving over 75 miles per hour increases your vehicles emissions considerably.?
Eat smart, buy smart, be smart Buy in bulk, especially when shopping for a family. Wear clothes that don’t need to be dry-cleaned. Invest in high-quality, long-lasting products. Purchase items such as crock pots and microfiber cloths for your kitchen and cleaning needs.?? By making these small adjustments to your lifestyle you can shrink your carbon footprint from the size of Big Foot’s to the size of a squirrel’s. By seriously “going green” you will not only improve your health but bolster your savings account, as well. Going green is easy, and so is saving money in the process.
