Personal Dividends

Source: sxc.hu Photo: xymonau, adapted

Today is Blog Action Day. It’s a day when writers all over the world band together to write about the same issue. This year’s theme is global climate change. Now, I’m on the fence about how large an impact we are having on the climate patterns of our world. However, I do believe that human activity must have some influence. Additionally, I believe that, global climate change aside, we should be taking good care of our planet.

The good news is that going green doesn’t have to be just about the environment. You can take steps to make your life more environmentally sustainable and benefit by saving money. There are plenty of ways that you can receive monetary rewards when you attempt to reduce activities that contribute to pollution and might contribute to global climate change. Here are some simple cost-saving and earth-saving things that you can do:

1. Reduce your energy consumption

The pollution that results from energy consumption is real. The fossil fuels we use are dirty, and obtained in destructive ways. Not only will you be reducing the need for these types of energy, but you can also save money. When you reduce your home energy consumption, your power bill and your heating bill goes down. Depending on the steps you take, you can save up to hundreds of dollars a year. Some of the popular steps you can take include using CFLs for lighting, unplugging electronics when they are not in use, line drying your clothes, automating your thermostat to make sure that it is not heating or cooling your home when you aren’t there.

2. Use less gas

As we find out regularly, gas prices normally rise. Being too dependent on gasoline fueled cars can mean that your wallet is at the mercy of the vagaries of the oil market. And, of course, the emissions are harmful to the environment (and your health). If you can, walking or biking to work can help you save money on gas — and give you a good workout. Public transportation can help you save money on gas and parking, while helping you reduce emissions. When you run errands, you can do so more efficiently with trip planning so that you use less gas. And, if you can afford it, a hybrid car or a care that runs on alternative fuels can help you spend less on gas while reducing your emissions. My family’s Prius is saving us about $360 a year on gas.

3. Eat more locally produced foods

The costs and pollution involved in transporting some foods long distances make them quite inefficient on a number of levels. You can save money when you buy locally produced foods in many cases. One of the best ways to enjoy local produce is to grow your own. An organic garden can be a great way to save money on trips to the grocery store, while using fewer resources. Local farmer’s markets and other operations can be good places to find local foods. We even get our meat from a local family farm with grass-fed and free range animals. It costs less for us, and it is better for the environment.

Eating less meat over all can also save you money while going green. Meat is one of the more expensive grocery items, in addition to being hard on the environment from the time its raised, processed and shipped. We have reduced our consumption of red and white meats, and noticed a change in our grocery bill of between $25 and $35 a month.

4. Buy second-hand, or rent

One of the best ways to reduce waste and live sustainably is to avoid buying lots of new things. The processes involved in producing products (and their packaging) are detrimental to the environment on a number of levels. Besides, new things are expensive. When it makes sense, you can save money by buying second hand. There are many stores that offer gently used items of reasonably high quality for a discount. You can also use web sites like Freecycle and Craigslist to connect with people who have items to sell. Using rentals can also be a cost-effective and more sustainable way to accomplish what you need to on projects of limited duration.

5. Make your own cleaning supplies

Many of the household cleaners that we are familiar with using harmful chemicals, not to mention being packaged in such a way that is damaging to the environment. And they are expensive! The good news is that you can make your own cleaning products with vinegar, baking soda, lemon and a little soap. You can also make your own laundry detergent that costs less and is more environmentally friendly than what you buy at the store.

In the end, you don’t have to put solar panels on your roof (although there is a tax credit for that, and many states offer grants to help defray the cost) in order to save the environment and save money (eventually). Some of the small steps that you take to alter your daily habits can actually add up to hundreds of dollars in savings every year — not to mention helping you improve the environmental sustainability of your lifestyle.

[Editor's note: Money and environmental concerns are on our minds here at Personal Dividends and no doubt many of our readers think about these topics and would like to find ways of incorporating a little green in their lifestyle. We (the site management)  have now started an online store that brings a wide variety of green, organic, natural and eco-friendly products to the US consumers. Please pay a visit to Naturigy.com. We are constantly expanding the selection of products and your patronage and feedback is greatly appreciated.]

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