Go Green to Save Money

The “go green” philosophy is the aim to live in a way that reduces a person’s impact on the environment. From buying decisions to the way a person uses appliances and other things around the home, going green is a way to positively impact the environment everyday. One deterrent of going green is the increased cost of buying products and foods that help decrease a person’s carbon footprint. However, by making homemade cleaners and buying seasonal foods, a person can go green and actually save money. (Source: Tomorrow's Money)

Go Green with Food

According to Planet Green, it takes 30 percent more fuel to ship produce from one state to another than it does to ship the produce to a local market. On average, the US receives food from five countries. All of the gas emissions and fuel consumption negatively affects the environment. Buying green means to buy food locally and when it’s in season. Farmer’s markets and locally run groceries are one way to go green and save money. In-season produce prices are cheaper, and when bought from a local farmer the costs don’t usually include the cost for gas and travel, making the food cheaper than the food at a grocery store.  (Source: Planet Green)

One of the best ways to go green with food is to plant a garden and use compost as fertilizer. A compost pile helps reduce the amount of trash thrown into a landfill, which can reduce a monthly bill for those having to pay for trash service. It also keeps harmful chemicals from entering the ground. Planning a garden for the optimal harvest, meaning that there’s something to harvest from summer until late fall, can help save money on food costs.

Go Green at Home

Homemade cleaning products are a great way to go green and save money. Baking soda, vinegar, and hot water is all that’s needed to clean a variety of household items. Bathrooms, kitchens, floors, and walls can all be cleaned by mixing baking soda with vinegar and wiping it up with hot water. Baking soda also works to deodorize the fridge and can soak up odors on carpets and bedding. 

Homemade laundry soap using Borax, Ivory Soap, washing soda, and water is another way to save money and not use harsh chemicals on clothing. It also reduces the waste caused from empty laundry detergent bottles and boxes. To see the actual savings of making laundry detergent, multiply the cost of the ingredients by the number of loads washed from one batch of detergent. (Source: Family Homestead) To save energy and reduce the electric bill, use a clothesline instead of a dryer to dry the laundry.

When buying new appliances, look for the Energy Star label. Energy Star appliances are designed to minimize the drain on energy resources while still providing quality appliance products. The Energy Star label also promises to save money on utility bills by offering increased energy efficiency. If an Energy Star appliance cost less than a similar non-Energy Star appliance, the label promises that the cost is recouped over time through utility bill savings. (Source: Energy Star)

Reuse Products to Save Money and Go Green

Paper towels account for a lot of waste. Most people pull more towels off the roll than needed, and the plastic packaging of the towels also contributes to excess waste. A cloth kitchen towel is just as convenient as a paper towel, but it doesn’t contribute to excess waste, nor does a new towel need to be purchased every week, helping to save money.

A case of plastic water bottles contributes more products to the landfills and the chemicals used in the production of the bottles can leak into the water. Many of the bottles are also produced using oil, a nonrenewable resource. By purchasing a reusable stainless steel water bottle, a person can save money, decrease the amount of plastic bottles going into landfills, and protect themselves from potentially dangerous chemicals. (Source: The Daily Green)

Go Green by Walking or Biking

One of the biggest environmental  hazards, and a drain on the wallet, is gas for a vehicle. The gas emissions and fuel production all damage the environment. With increasing gas prices, more people are trading in large vehicles for smaller, but that’s still not a successful way to protect the environment. Walking or biking to places that are only a few miles away is a great way to reduce gas emissions and save a bunch of money each month. By walking to work, the park, or a store, a person can go green and save money.