going green

12 Green Living Habits That'll Save You Every Month

Mikey Rox — Wed, 02 Mar 2016 10:30:32 +0000

Another Earth Day is just around the corner. Let's get a head start on saving the planet with these eco-friendly lifestyle tips that'll also save you moolah every month. (See also: 11 Ways the Government Pays You to Live Green)

1. Take Advantage of Natural Light

I try to keep the lights off in the house as much as possible, even when I go to the bathroom late at night (I use my phone as a flashlight instead) to reduce my overall energy costs. As an alternative to the artificial lights in my house, I take advantage of natural light from the windows during the day (open your doors and blinds) and sometimes candles or other secondary light sources (like my devices) when the sun goes down.

2. Plug Drafts to Reduce Heating Costs

If there are drafts coming in from holes and crevices around your house, the climate-controlled air for which you pay is escaping. Resolve this costly problem by plugging drafts yourself (if you're able to identify the draft location and capable of doing the work) or hiring someone to help you out. Many times, however, the solution to the problem is as simple as putting a towel or blanket in front of doors and wrapping windows and A/C units for the winter.

3. Adjust the Settings on Your Appliances

Your appliances could be working overtime unnecessarily. Check the settings on your fridge, freezer, stove, microwave, and more to determine if they're turned up too high. If they can get the job done properly on lower settings, turn them down.

4. Install a "Greywater" System

Greywater — essentially any household wastewater with the exception of the toilet — can be repurposed in other areas around the home to help you cut back on water usage across the board.

"A... laundry-to-landscape greywater system can reduce water costs by reusing water used on clothes washing or sink/shower water to irrigate the garden," says Morgan Vondrak, a certified sustainable landscape designer at Argia Designs in San Francisco. "This is a great way to grow fruit trees and water intensive edible shrubs."

Conservation and green design expert Pablo Solomon suggests a couple more uses for greywater. "Put a dishwashing pan in your sinks and showers to catch water. Also dip out and save your bath water. This greywater is great to flush toilets and to water plants," he says.

5. Use Cold Water to Wash Clothes, and Clean the Dryer Lint Trap

Using cold water versus hot water when washing clothes won't save you a ton, but if you're looking to shave a few bucks of your bill every month (and you're okay laundering with cold water), it's a decent solution.

"When doing laundry, use cold water instead of hot in your washing machine, which can save you over $3 per month," Solomon advises. "The dryer typically accounts for 5% of your monthly electric bill, but keeping the lint trap clean on a regular basis will dry clothes faster and lower energy expenditures."

6. Use Sunlight to Help Control Temperature

Drafts can affect the temperature of your home, especially when the heat is pumping during the winter months. But the amount of sunlight in your home can also dramatically raise or lower the inside temperature, which is important to remember during both the hot and cold seasons.

"Use window coverings to keep sunlight from heating your rooms too much in summer and to let in warming rays in the winter," Solomon recommends. "Window coverings can be expensive, but you can also improvise. You can use blankets, and you can also make your own curtains or buy them at resale shops. I have a friend who sewed bubble wrap between layers of cloth to make really attractive and amazingly efficient drapes."

7. Lower the Temperature of Your Hot Water Heater

I recommended using cold water instead of hot to wash clothes to save a few bucks a month, but you also should inspect your hot water heater to see if perhaps it's running too hot in general.

"If you have to turn on the cold water along with the hot so your shower isn't scalding, you are paying too much to heat your water," says Eileen Flanagan, author of Renewable: One Woman's Search for Simplicity, Faithfulness, and Hope. "Most experts recommend 120 Fahrenheit. Once you find a temperature that is comfortable when you turn on just the hot tap, you can leave it set there and forget about it — except for vacations when you can turn it down further."

8. Power Your Devices From a Strip — And Remember to Turn It Off

Rather than plugging devices in single outlets spread all over the house, try to consolidate your energy and charging efforts onto one charging strip so you can control the power usage with one switch.

"Smart power plugs can detect how much electricity your 'energy vampires' — like TVs, game consoles, and mobile phones — are consuming and can be set to automatically turn off every night and then turn back on every morning," says Gene Wang, CEO and co-founder of People Power, a tech company in California.

As a habit, only plug in other devices and appliances — like printers, toasters, and coffeemakers — when you need to use them.

9. Nip Drips in the Bud ASAP

Hopefully we're all shutting off the sink while we're brushing our teeth and taking quick showers to conserve water, but it's all for naught if you have a leak in your pipes or a drippy faucet. If either of these situations are flushing your money down the drain, put a stop to it.

10. Think of Carpet and Rugs as Extra Insulation

Rugs and carpeting can provide extra insulation in your home, which is helpful during the winter months. It's often cheaper to install — especially area rugs — than re-insulating your home or turning the heat up. Plus, your little tootsies will thank you for not having to touch a cold floor in the morning.

11. Travel by Foot, Bike, or Public Transportation More Often

You can save a serious amount of money on gas and car maintenance by changing the way you travel, especially locally. Walk, bike, or take public transportation to the places you need to go more often when the weather is nice. Carpooling is a great option, too. I used to carpool with a buddy of mine to work — we would each have one week on and one week off, which resulted in significant fuel savings (more than $1,000) that I was able to put toward other expenses.

12. Consider Scheduling an Energy Audit

If you're serious about going green, but don't really know where to start, consider scheduling an energy audit to determine what can and needs to be done to reduce your carbon footprint and monthly energy spend.

"Most utility companies offer them free or close to free," says Shel Horowitz, author and green business profitability expert. "Last time we did one, they gave us hundreds of dollars worth of LED light bulbs and picked up two-thirds of the cost of re-insulating."

What are some of your green living habits that save you money every month? Let me know in the comments below.

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This article is from Mikey Rox of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

6 Ways to Drive a Hybrid or Electric Car on the Cheap

Andrea Cannon — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 15:00:26 +0000

If you've considered switching from a conventional gasoline vehicle to an electric or hybrid car, you'll be happy to know that you can expect to save money in the long run. The purchase price may be higher upfront as compared to a traditional gas model, but we've found a number of ways to help you get a green car on the cheap. Consider these options.

1. Buy It Used

Whether you decide to buy new or used, it's important to look for the best deals in your area before you ever step foot into a dealership. By purchasing a used hybrid vehicle, you won't have to sacrifice any of the features you want and can also save some significant money in the process. And since it can take many years for a new hybrid car to pay off in value, a used vehicle makes even more sense from a financial perspective. Make sure to research tips on buying a used hybrid or electric car for additional ways to save.

2. Research Before You Buy

Green cars aren't always more expensive upfront than comparable gas models. By doing your research and choosing the right model, you can save thousands of dollars on your purchase. You can easily compare the cost of a hybrid versus a non-hybrid from the same manufacturer to determine if buying a new or used hybrid can save you money.

When you are comparing various options, make sure to consider more than just the base price. You'll also want to compare things like the mileage, range, charge, charging times, battery life, battery replacement and maintenance costs, power, specs, and your personal driving comfort so that you can get the best vehicle for your needs and lifestyle. The more features you add to your new car, the higher the price tag will be.

3. Watch the Gas Prices

Did you know that cheaper gas prices also translate to cheaper prices on hybrids and electric cars? Cutting back on gas is one of the major benefits of having a hybrid or electric car, but when gas prices drop, that benefit is suddenly less valuable. And as gas prices drop further, you can expect the price of hybrid and electric cars to continue falling as well.

Use this as a bargaining tool when purchasing a new or used electric or hybrid vehicle. If you have a plug-in hybrid vehicle, then make sure to keep the battery fully charged so that it will use as much electricity possible, which will save you money at the pump.

4. Take Advantage of Available Incentives

Keep in mind that once you purchase a hybrid or electric car, you may be eligible for special incentives, which will result in you saving more money. In fact, you may be eligible for as much as $7,500 in federal tax credits and another $2,500 in state incentives just for making the switch to a more environmentally friendly vehicle.

5. Lease It

Electric cars depreciate in value very quickly, as is the case with traditional gas models. Leasing the vehicle — rather than buying it — is a great solution if you aren't planning on keeping the car for the long-term, because you won't have to worry about the large initial depreciation hit. There are some great lease deals available and the low monthly payments can save you even more in the end.

6. Sign Up for Zipcar's Plan (In Select Cities)

If you aren't sure that an electric or hybrid vehicle is right for you, then consider signing up for Zipcar's car-share pod. The Electric Vehicle Pod is available to members by the hour, which will result in only a fraction of the cost of owning an electric vehicle. You can use the service the same as you would a normal Zipcar; simply rent the electric car when you need it, for as long as you need it, and return it when you are done. This is especially ideal for city-dwellers who don't drive on a daily basis. Check the site to see if it's available in your area.

Do you know of other ways to get a hybrid or electric vehicle on the cheap? Please share your thoughts in the comments below!

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This article is from Andrea Cannon of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Ask the Readers: What Are Your Green Habits?

Ashley Jacobs — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 11:36:31 +0000

Editor's Note: Congratulations to Monique, Shari, and Jennifer for winning this week's contest!

There are many ways to be green. You can grow your own organic garden, use homemade or natural cleaners, or even just drink from a reusable water bottle. And not only are eco-friendly practices good for the earth, they can be good for your wallet, too!

What are your green habits? What are the costs and benefits of these habits? Do they help you save money?

Tell us about your green habits and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

Win 1 of 3 $20 Amazon Gift Cards

We're doing three giveaways — here's how you can win!

Mandatory Entry:

Post your answer in the comments below. One commenter will win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

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Contest ends Monday, March 18th at 11:59 pm Pacific. Winners will be announced after March 18th on the original post. Winners will also be contacted via email.
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Good Luck!

Tell us about your green habits, and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

This article is from Ashley Jacobs of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Going Green Could Mean More Money In Your Pocket

Silicon Valley Blogger — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 17:00:05 +0000

With all the environmental disasters we've been facing lately, it's easy to feel helpless about the state of our world. You may feel frustrated and even compelled to protest the big picture issues we've been experiencing. But rather than fall into this mood, I'd like to suggest that we take a look at those things we have a bit more control over.

How about we revisit those things that we can actually do in the name of going green? I'm hoping that in some capacity, the small actions may add up. Having control over some things may help assuage some of the frustrations we feel. After all, we've already covered a few ideas for going green and saving money at the same time. How about a few more simple moves that we can do around the house?

Watch Those Energy Bills

Let's start with the obvious. Your electricity bill: if there were things you could do to go green that could also bring your utility bill down, wouldn’t you want to do them? But of course! So let’s get started in that direction right now.

First, you need to get in the habit of turning your thermostat down. Even doing this by just a couple of degrees can make a dent in your electricity bill, and you'll hardly notice the difference in your house. But in case you do, you can always throw on a sweater until you become accustomed to it.

You can also choose to unplug your electronics, particularly "energy vampires," or appliances that are heavy energy users. While it's been reported to save only around 30 to 60 kilowatt hours a month in an average house, you may want to do this more for the sake of reducing CO2 emissions. Something as simple as using a power strip may simplify how you're able to control your energy usage.

When it comes down to where your energy hogs are at home, don't look further than your home office. It's the perfect place to use an eco-socket (or power strip). There are several versions of these available at hardware stores but the basic idea is that the strip has one switch on it that automatically powers off everything that is plugged into it. You could have ten things plugged into one panel (easy to do in a home office when you think about it) and they will all switch off in one hit.

You can also buy various appliances nowadays that save energy all on their own. Even kitchen items and other household objects are now being manufactured with the environment in mind. You can buy kettles which have an eco-switch on them which allows you to boil at slightly lower temperatures. You can use more energy efficient light bulbs or install light dimmers to allow you to use less power altogether.

Go Green Around The Yard

Another way to save is to recycle as much as you can at home. Get a compost bin and start chucking all your garden rubbish in it, as well as some of your compostable kitchen rubbish as well. For those who use compost, making your own can add to your savings.

If you've got a garden, then you can also try growing your own fruit trees and vegetables, which can be quite rewarding. One great benefit? It allows you to grow produce that is truly organic and free of pesticides and other additives. Plus, there's the convenience of having them ready to hit your kitchen without a trip to the store.

And if you're so inclined, buying things secondhand from yard sales and online sites like Craigslist and eBay is another great way to promote recycling. I personally love shopping for gently used items, as I've found a lot of my favorite treasures this way.

So have you got any tips for saving money and the environment that have worked well for you? While the politicians and big companies worry about the big picture, I'm all for doing what I can in my little corner of the world to help with keeping things clean and green.

This article is from Silicon Valley Blogger of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread: