By N. Ella Vincent
Did you know that being cheap can help the environment? Being more environmentally friendly is important already, but you can also save money as an extra incentive to go green. Using the 3 basic tenets of environmentalism, you can save money and help save the planet.
Reduce. Use less energy by using compact fluorescent light bulbs, or as my nephew calls them, the squiggly light bulbs. They cost a bit more than regular light bulbs, but in the end, last longer and save you more on your light bill in the long run. Use the energy-saver settings on air conditioners to use less energy to cool your home. Or better yet, use fans to cool off! Seal up leaks in doors or windows with caulk to cut back on heating bills in the winter.
Reuse. Instead of buying new things, make do with what you have. It sounds un-American, but in this recession, you can’t afford to be wasteful. Exchange clothes or accessories with friends instead of buying new. If you’re a shopaholic, buy clothes from consignment stores to get designer clothes that are practically new at a fraction of the original price. Check out books or DVD’s from the library instead of buying new ones. Clean your stovetop or even kids’ toys with baking soda if you need an inexpensive cleaning product for the home.
Recycle. If you have to buy a new product, like a phone, make money by recycling your old one. Web sites like cellforcash.com and sellyoucell.com will buy your old phone and recycle it for you. You can even get money online for used cardboard boxes or golf balls. Depending on your state, you can also get paid for recycling aluminum cans.
Through these small steps, you can reduce your carbon footprint and save some money, too. Every little bit helps to make our planet a better place to live.
