How to Live Green Inexpensively

Organic foods, cleaning products. clothing and other eco friendly products are often more expensive than their traditional counterparts. With the impending increase in energy consumption and gas prices, spending less while still making a positive impact is a desirable goal. There are many small things you can do, that when added together, can make a very large positive impact on the environment.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. 
    
   Walk or bike.

   Walk or bike whenever you can. If you live in area that has public transportation, use it. You will save on wear and tear on your car, and save on gas and parking. If you have several cars and drivers in your family, perhaps you can do with one less car. Plan to do your errands on a single outing.

2. Save paper by doing your banking and bill paying on line. You'll save postage, clutter and a tree. Save even more paper by getting off mailing lists. Do you really need all those catalogs?

3. Run your appliances when they are full. Most of the energy in dishwashers is used to heat the water, making small loads uneconomical as well as wasteful. Turn off the the heat for drying and allow the dishes to air dry. Run the washer with the lowest temperature water that gets your clothes clean.

4. 
    

   Buy your fruits and vegetables at the local farmer's market.They will be fresher and won't have traveled far to get there.

5. Adjust your thermostat. It is a worthwhile investment to buy a programmable thermostat if you don't already have one.

6. Skip the run to to the corner for coffee and tea. Make your own at home. You can spend less and make your drinks healthier.

Tips & Warnings

• For many household products, using a smaller amount than suggested usually will work fine.
• Always carry a bag with you so you won't need to use additional paper or plastic bags.
• Recycle, recycle, recycle.
• Make do with less.