Go Green and Save Money
Guest post by Desirée Dupuis.
Since all this month we’re celebrating Earth Day, here are 10 tips to give you more green in your wallet while making the world a greener place as well.
10. Buy only what you need. Landfills are full of material stuff that people have wasted money on. Think twice before you buy anything new, especially items that are not made of recycleable material and that will not last more than six months. Use cash to help you avoid hasty purchases.
9. Invest in sustainable products. Buying sustainable products that are kind on the environment help out in a big way. They are also much better for your health, helping to prevent costly medical problems in the future. These days, everything from your flooring to your paint, your cleaning supplies to your light bulbs, can and should be eco-friendly. Think also about your health and beauty products, avoid aerosols and products that contain paraffins and tons of chemicals.
8. One in, one out. If you are buying new clothes, make sure you are prepared to swap out one item in your closet for your new item. This will help discourage you from buying unnecessary items that you don’t need.
7.Turn off the lights. Save a ton on electricity by turning off all lights when you are not home and only turning on lights that you need when you are home. Unplug all electrical sockets that you can and use a power bar where possible, using the on/off switch.
6. Read online. Download podcasts, use Kindle, download e-books or audio books on iTunes. Do what you can to avoid buying new books in store, this is often cheaper and you’ll save a ton on printing and transportation carbon production. If you like real books, try the library or share with friends.
5. Use digital thermometers. These smart devices allow you to program your heat for specific times of the day to save on heating costs when you are not home or at night when you’re sleeping.
4. Have social swaps. Instead of buying new things, save money and help the environment by swapping and sharing amongst your friends. Hot parties happening around the city right now are Fashionista Clothing Swaps. These types of parties also save money on girls’ night outs by having a fun reason to stay in.
3. Brown bag it. Make your own lunch at least five days a week. Preparing your own food saves you lots of money, not too mention a few inches off your waist (and what woman doesn’t want that?).
2. Stock up on your own H2O. Make sure to bring your own stainless steel bottle full of water wherever you go and avoid buying bottled water at all times. If you prefer filtered water, invest in a filter that you can attach to your tap. My favourite water bottle is from Lululemon, it’s full of inspirational comments that keep me motivated and feeling good throughout the day.
1. Party in your car (i.e.: carpool!). With gas prices going through the roof, you can save money by decreasing the amount of solo time you spend in the car. Fill up your car with colleagues, grab a friend or two to run errands with on the weekend or during the day, and make sure to share rides with friends when you go out.
Bonus: buy in bulk! Load up your minivan with friends and go to Costco. You can save a bunch of money by buying your goods in larger quantities and splitting items up amongst yourselves. The environment is happy because you carpooled to get there, and you saved a lot of wasteful packaging.
Desirée Dupuis is a Licensed Financial Advisor and partner of Three Sixty Financial Group. Desirée provides financial education to young families and empowers moms to make the best decision for their family’s financial future.
