Times are tougher than ever. Money is tighter than it has been. These are all the more reasons to go green.  True, it’s good for the planet, but did you know it can also save you a huge amount of money down the road?  Last month I wrote about what you “could” and I had no specifics.   I thought I would include some ideas that will save you money, time, and most importantly a little wear and tear on Mother Earth, after all, she isn’t getting any younger.

• Visit your local library. Take the kids on a Saturday, have them pick out 2 of their favorite books, and return them next week! It’s free and it’s green.

• Carpool! If your drive to work is 25 miles each way and at least half is stop-and-go traffic, you’ll save

almost 10 percent of your monthly carbon emissions by carpooling. Not to mention the gas dollars you’ll

save.

• Bulk shopping is good for the environment because it reduces packaging and waste plus it means less

trips to the market and less gas used so you save money.

CONSERVE ENERGY

• Run your dishwasher. It can actually help the environment while saving you time and preserving your manicure, and be sure all the germs are washed away. Many studies show that dishwashers actually use less water than dishes by hand and you can save a ton of water, energy and money by only running the dishwasher when it’s full—especially if it’s Energy Star-approved.

• Throw in a concentrated, phosphate-free detergent such as Automatic Dish Wash Concentrate that is so powerful a pre-rinse isn’t required, and you earn extra eco-warrior points!

• Use Rechargeable Batteries. Investing in rechargeable batteries can save you some money over time.  In general, the less you rely on single-use, disposable items, the less money you’ll burn through.

• Check Out the New CFLs. CFL bulbs use 80% less energy than standard incandescent light bulbs, and last up six to 10 times longer. You might not be aware of the newest designs from cutting-edge

manufacturers, including a new range of pleasant color temperatures, dimmable CFLs, bug lights, 3-way

models, candelabra and flicker tip styles and more.

• Turn Off Your Computer - Save energy, wear on your hardware and an average of $90 each year on

electricity costs by shutting down your computer at night. The Department of Energy recommends shutting off your monitor if you aren’t going to use it for more than 20 minutes, and the whole system if you’re not going to use it for more than two hours. 

·         Un plug your phone/iPod chargers when they aren’t charging phones, they uses Phantom energy

·         Check into Green$witch, (one switch that shuts all that controls unnecessary lights left on from one switch.  Learn more at:  www.greenswitchgroup.com   

RECYCLE & REUSE

• Rather than going through rolls of paper towels, cut up old t-shirts and towels for cleaning rags. If DIY isn’t your cup of tea, try  Microfiber Cleaning and Window Cloths. They are ridiculously absorbent and can be washed and reused hundreds of times.

• Ditch bottled water! The cost adds up and the bottles pile up in landfills to pollute our planet. Save big

bucks and keep waste out of the landfills by switching to filtered water.

The BestWater® PerfectPitcher® is NSF-certified and serves up delicious, clean water that can be poured into a glass to be enjoyed at home, or a portable, reusable water bottle if you’re on the go.

Come join me, and be part of the Solution, NOT part of the Pollution

Deb Villarese

www.bellawelllifestyles.com