It’s widely believed that going green can cost you money. That’s simply not true. Green living actually saves you money. Who couldn’t use some extra cash in their pocket? Let’s list some of the ways that you can go green and save money.

Household:

Lowering your thermostat in the winter and raising it in the summer saves you money on energy bills. It also saves energy use.

Using cold water to wash clothing gets your clothing just as clean in most cases. It saves energy, and your energy bills will go down.

Unplugging your appliances and electronics at night reduces your energy use. Did you know that even when they’re not in use, an item that is plugged in still uses electricity? Yep. Unplug everything at night and watch your electricity bill go down.

Buying over the internet can be cheaper than buying in stores, and it can be green. Buy health and beauty products in bulk and save money, and save on energy use. How? Buy once, and ship once. Bulk prices are always cheaper than buying products one at a time, and conserves energy by reducing the amount of times you go to the store/have items shipped.

On the Go:

Packing a lunch in a reusable lunch bag or lunch box saves money and the environment. You cut down on the amount of waste you dispose of every day, and it’s cheaper than eating out for lunch. Pack it full of locally grown or produced foods and you’ll be even greener.

Reusable and refillable water bottles filled at home keeps plastic bottles out of landfills. There are billions of plastic bottles discarded every year in the U.S. Make sure to do your part to reduce this waste. Install a filter if you don’t think your water tastes great. There are several inexpensive types you can use.

Biking to work (when possible) or walking to the store can save you hundreds of dollars each month in fuel. One less car on the road = less emissions and less energy used.

None of these tips are earth-shattering or ground breaking, but they do help, and they do save you money. Just a little effort on your part keeps our landfills emptier and reduces energy use. What do you do to go green and save money? Let me know on twitter, Facebook, or leave me a comment here on the blog.

Oh, and here’s some easy tips for going green from WatchMojo.

Now that summer is officially here, you want to stay outside all the time. Or perhaps I’m confusing you with me. I love the summertime; I’d spend all my time in the fresh air if it were possible. Until, of course, the summer heat drove me either into the pool or under the air conditioning. I’ve been thinking hard lately about how to green my summer and I wanted to share these tips with you.

Dos

Shop local growers and Farmer’s Markets for fresh fruit and produce. Not only will you enjoy the fresh, home grown food, you’ll save money. You’ll also support the local economy.

Alternatively, start your own garden and grow some food of your own. It doesn’t have to be a big garden; a pot on the patio can hold tomatoes, peppers, or any other kind of vegetable you like to eat.
Ride your bike or walk, since the weather is fine. Your body and your gasoline bill will thank you. Just make sure to wear a hat, sunscreen, and hydrate before and after. Carry a reusable water bottle along with you to ensure you don’t dehydrate.

Watch your water usage. Your lawn only needs about an inch a week to grow green and lush. Has it rained an inch this week? If so, you don’t need to turn your sprinklers on.

Consider carrying an eco-friendly tote. They can hold your summer picnic items, and they can also come in handy to carry sunscreen and towels when you visit the beach.

Don’ts

Don’t turn your air conditioner down low and let it run non stop. Setting it higher will save money and energy. Most air conditioning units can’t get your house that cool anyway, and if it never gets below 72, what’s the point? I set mine for 73 and let it cool the house during the heat of the day. I keep the shades drawn to keep out rays during the hottest part of the day. I’m comfortable, and my electricity usage isn’t sky high.

Don’t use paper plates on picnics. Use your own dishes. Use that tote you have to carry your dishes back home with you. If you feel you must use them, at least recycle them. The Environmental Protection Agency says that if everyone in the United States recycled just 10 percent of the paper they used, 25 million trees would be saved each year.

Don’t use pesticides on your lawn. Your kids and your pets play on that lawn. Is a green lawn worth exposing them to toxic chemicals?

What are some of your dos and don’ts for summer green living? Tell me on twitter, Facebook, or leave me a comment here on the blog.

It’s summer time and you know you’re going to want to have a party one of these hot summer days. Whether it’s a barbecue or a picnic, there are ways you can make your summer party greener.

Don’t use charcoal. Switch to a gas grill. You’re going to release much less carbon dioxide into the air, and the lighter fluid you use with charcoal is toxic. Fast lighting charcoal is soaked in cancer causing chemicals as well. You don’t want to eat that, and you don’t want to feed it to your loved ones.

Eat local foods. Hit your local Farmer’s Market and enjoy fresh summer fruits and vegetables. Purchasing local foods is one of the best ways to ensure that you keep pesticides out of your food, and reduce energy consumption. If there’s no shipping, less fuel is used. And what tastes better than fresh vegetables?

Don’t use throwaway dishes and utensils. Don’t use plastic or paper plates, glasses, or utensils. It’s the easiest thing you can do to stay green. If you’re picnicking or barbecuing, avoiding those throwaway dishes and utensils keeps tons of trash out of landfills. And if you use washable napkins and tablecloths, you’ve just made your summer party even greener.

Compost your scraps. Take all that leftover food and corn cobs and make rich soil for your garden. It’s easy to make a compost heap. Keeping leftover food out of our landfills is a wonderful, easy way to go green. It also means much less methane gas released into the atmosphere.

Another handy green tip for summer parties:
If you’re having a party at home and your fold-up chairs are squeaky after being stored all winter, the WD-40 No Mess Pen is one of the best ways to lubricate and protect without waste.

We take green ideas seriously at StocknGo. That’s why we have the Buy in Bulk section. One large purchase instead of several small ones means less energy expended on fuel, and that’s a good thing. You’ll save money, too.

Do you have any green summer party tips? Let me know on twitter, facebook, or just leave me a comment here on the blog.