Goal For The Green

Here are a few tips you can put into practice right away that take little effort and your wallet will thank-you.

Did you know that Americans idle away approximately 2.9 billion gallons of gas a year?  With the prices going up almost daily, that is almost $80 billion a year in wasted gas. Obviously, the less you have to stop and go the better. It also helps to maintain a steady, rather than fluctuating speed. Also, be sure your tires have the correct amount of air in them.  Just little things, but they make a difference in the air we breathe and in your wallet.

Just by turning off your computer when not in use, you can save about $90 a year. You can also save more by unplugging small appliances when not in use.  Every little bit helps, because even though it doesn’t seem like it, everything that is left plugged in still uses energy.

By signing up for Green Power, you are supporting the future development of renewable resources. Green Power, is electricity from renewable non- polluting resources like wind and solar power, that can be used over and over. Green Power usage does less harm to the environment.  Turning down your thermostat a couple of degrees can save you between 1-3% on your power bill. It might not seem like much, but it can add up considering 50-70% of your electric bill is calculated based on your heating and cooling consumption.  Wash your clothes in cold water.  This also makes a difference in your power bill.

Paying your bills online saves you time, money gas, and stamps.  It also saves on the amount of paper used to send you that bill.  To get rid of junk mail you can sign up ($1.00 fee ) at Mail Preference Service on Direct Market Assistance website. Most junk mail will stop within about 90 days. To stop opt-in offers from cluttering your mailbox, you can call 1-888-5-OPTOUT.  Follow the instructions, and you can opt out for 5 years or for life.  Next, it takes a little work with our at home printers but it can save a lot of paper if you print on both sides of the copy paper.  Here in the U.S. we use approximately 4 million tons of copy paper per year, most of which is copied on one side only.  That averages out to about 27-30 lbs. per person per year.

You can keep a lot of dirt, pesticides, and germs from entering your home and causing allergies or illness, just by taking your shoes off outside your door.  Something else to consider is to drink hormone free milk. It’s a healthier alternative. Thank goodness it’s the time of the year to start enjoying the wholesome freshness of the farmers markets for fresh fruits and veggies.  Here’s to your health and your wallet.

Most of us are doing our Spring cleaning from our house to our garage. Before you make a trip to the dump, check  your discard pile to see if there is anything you can give new life.  You just may save yourself some gas money and a trip to the dump.

If you have a tall wastebasket, use it to corral wrapping paper or crafting supplies.  You can even use hair scrunchies or elastic pony tail holders to keep the paper rolls in control.

Old furniture can often be put to use in a different room. An example, is a small nightstand or end table.  Either can be used in a bathroom to free up counter space and give extra storage for lotions and toiletries. Just paint it to your liking and you have a whole new look.  Coffee cups are useful to hold anything from make-up to pens and pencils.  Those hanging baskets that were meant for fruits and vegetables work great in little kids rooms for storing those small stuffed animals.  It looks adorable.  Give one to a teenager and they will find some cool use for it, just to have things close by the bed if nothing else.

Those old sheets and table clothes can be stitched up and used for storing, comforters, pillows, and blankets free from dust.  Sheets can also be made into easy tab-top curtains,or throw pillows.  All that is needed is a little time, ribbon and embellishments of your choice and you’ve put something old to new use, and saved money too.

Backless bar stools and laundry baskets work well to store anything from toys,camping gear, sporting  goods, or garden tools. Just turn the bar stools upside down and they do a great job of holding these bulky items.

Don’t toss those three-ring binders.  They are great for organizing recipes, (get page protectors), vet records, CDs (get the vinyl inserts) and anything of importance that you want to keep handy.  If they have writing on them, or they don’t match your decor, consider covering them with contact paper.

These are just a few ideas to help you wittle down your trash pile.  If you have books you want to get rid of, consider donating them to homeless or women’s shelters, nursing homes or hospitals.  Contact local thrift shops in your area for drop-off sites or possible pick-up of your unwanted items. Online sites to consider are charitynavigator.org and earth911.org for information on where to recycle specific items such as electronics.

Written in association with  waste management experts