Go Green and Do More With Less
Going green is all the rage these days and there is now an eco-savvy alternative for just about any purchase you need to make. Sure, most green products claim to reduce pollution and waste and conserve resources. But let’s face it: Most of us can’t afford to buy the organic and recycled-content versions of everything we need.
So how do you decide which products will really make a difference? It turns out that you don’t need to buy green to go green after all. In fact, the essence of going green is to simply use a little less…and that actually saves you money. But that doesn’t mean you have to do without either. Here are 5 great ways to go green, and do more, by using just a little less.
Energy: You don’t need solar panels to go green. Simply adjust your thermostat by a few degrees “greener” and you could save big bucks and make a substantial difference when it comes to protecting the planet. Aim for 78 degrees during the summer months and 68 degrees in the winter.
Water: Do more with less water by multi-tasking. Use the same water more than once while grooming, cleaning, washing dishes, and playing. (eg, let your kids play in the sprinkler while you water the lawn.)
Beauty: The average adult uses approximately 9 personal care products each day, for a total of 126 unique chemical ingredients. That’s a lot of chemicals that wind up in your body and down the drain. The good news is that you don’t have to give up washing your hair or smelling good in order to go green. Do more with less by revaluating your beauty regimen. For each product you eliminate, you’ll save money and reduce the chemicals in your body and in the environment.
Fashion: Want to go green? Don’t worry about replacing your entire wardrobe with organic blends. In fact, the greenest stuff is the stuff that’s already in your closet. Get the most green from your wardrobe and your wallet byfixing or re-tailoring the clothes you already own. Learn how to sew a button or stitch a hem (or make friends with someone who can) to increase the lifespan of your family’s clothing. Too boring? Give new life to old clothes by re-tailoring worn out duds. For a fraction of the cost of new, you can turn worn out pants into shorts or a pre-pregnancy dress into a shirt or skirt.
Driving: Want to get great fuel economy? Don’t drive! Take public transportation, walk, or bike whenever possible. When you do need the car, pair up with a friend or a colleague and share rides to work, school, and even the grocery store. Even if you only do it once in a while, you will save money, decrease the wear and tear on your car, and reduce pollution.
This post is my entry for the TROP50™ Be a Guest on The Juice contest running over at Blogher.
Photo by karenr
These are some great tips! Another to add to your list: dry your clothes outside, when you can. Clothes dryers use more wattage than anything else in your house, unless you have some kind of nuclear reactor.
Thanks for the tips! I’ve got one too: Resale! I love finding good resale shops, I wouldn’t buy brand name stuff w/out them. For me, for the kids, even for my hubby if I can find stuff… although he is a little more picky than the rest of us
Thanks you so much for this great tip, I really do agree on this, it a great way to save money and a good lifestyle. I will keep this in mind.
It is great to encourage people to try and do more with less. It seems like people don’t always maximize the use of the things they already own and needlessly buy what isn’t necessary. Great way to save money is to cut back. I think most people will be surprised at how much they can cut back with out being inconvenienced.
Thank you for your practical information on how to do more for less. It is truly amazing how much we can conserve without sacrificing an indulgent lifestyle. Although going green is all the rage these days, practicing what you preach takes a lot of effort and forethought. Keep up the good work by letting us know what we can do to stay green.