Going Green Archives - Kids Ain't Cheap

Do you want to save money in an environmentally conscious way?

Going green can sometimes seem expensive. Especially when you compare the shelf prices of green products verses regular products. But, by trying to live a more environmentally conscious lifestyle you can help make the world a better place for future generations to come.

If you’re trying to go green without breaking the bank here are three ways you can do just that.

Make Your Own Cleaners

Going green is becoming increasingly popular and because of this many green items have a hefty mark up. One of these items is household cleaners.

Instead of purchasing cleaners from a big box store you can make your own for much less money. Here are some natural alternatives to chemical cleaners:

Baking Soda: cleans and deodorizes.
Lemons: kills household bacteria.
Isopropyl Alcohol: can be used as a disinfectant.
White Vinegar: will remove grease, mildew, and some odors.
Cornstarch: can be used as a window cleaner or as furniture polish.

There are also all types of combinations you can create to replace your favorite name brand cleaners. You can easily find a natural recipe for the cleaner you need online.

In addition to household cleaners you can make your own toothpaste, soap, and laundry detergent.

Don’t Throw Away – Recycle

The next time you think about throwing something out check and see if it can be recycled. By recycling you can help out the planet and even put some cash back in your pocket.

You can recycle things such as aluminum cans, copper, steel, plastics, and paper. You should also think about recycling appliances and electronics. You can reduce your carbon footprint by practicing computer recycling, cell phone recycling, and the recycling of your other electronics. You just need to find a recycler like Vernon Technology Solutions to help.

Don’t forget about up cycling, either. A lot of times you can breathe new life into an old item. Things like small furniture, fabric, and old flower pots can be refurbished or turned into something new. If you don’t want to up cycle an item consider selling it or donating. This way your unwanted items won’t wind up in a land fill somewhere.

Rent Instead of Buy

Another great way to reduce your carbon footprint is to rent instead of buy- this is especially true with electronics.

If you occasionally need a tablet you can rent ipads instead of buying them. The same goes for renting computers. When you’re in a bind you can rent a computer for a specified time rather than shelling out hundreds of dollars for a new one.

Other Ways to Be Green and Save

Reducing the amount of harmful impact you do to the environment isn’t limited to just these three things. There are others things you can do to help out the planet and your pockets.

Here are a few:

Shop for clothing at thrift stores
Take shorter showers
Unplug appliances and electronics not in use
Don’t waste food
Drive your car less

There are many green things you can incorporate into your everyday life. The little things you do can have huge impact.

How do you save money by going green?

Brian

Brian is the founder of Kids Ain’t Cheap and is now sharing his journey through parenthood.

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Many folks mistakenly believe that going green around the home means having to buy expensive products and make costly conversions of electronics, appliances, etc. However, there are many small things that you can do at home that really add up to a savings for you as well as for the environment. For starters, there are a few easy ways to be green and save money at the same time….

1) Charge It

And I don’t mean with a credit card. Cell phones, remote controls, hand held gaming systems, cordless phones, etc. all have their own chargers that eliminate the need for repeated battery replacements. After an initial investment, chargers pay for themselves while saving an infinite number of batteries. There is even a handy-dandy new contraption that will charge multiple items all at once (like your phone, iPod and Nintendo DS) on the same power pad. If you’d rather not buy a new charger, you can settle for rechargeable batteries instead that can be reused again and again. When it is time to get rid of old batteries, make sure to dispose of them properly and do not throw them in the trash as they contain toxic materials that are harmful to the environment. Usually, hardware stores, home improvement stores and even some libraries have receptacles for old batteries.

2) Take a Coffee (Filter) Break

Another small but meaningful change is switching to a reusable coffee filter. Many electric coffee makers come with their own permanent filters that replace the paper kind. You will save paper (and trees) and…you guessed it, you will also save money. Don’t forget to unplug your coffee maker when it is not being used because otherwise, it will still use energy, called “phantom electricity.”

3) A Light Bulb Moment

Switching to CFL bulbs is costlier at first than traditional bulbs, but they last considerably longer, which is better for your electric bill and the planet. Watch as your electric bill goes down after changing to CFL’s and you will also find yourself buying bulbs much less frequently.

4) Bottle Programs

Another way to save money while being green is to collect your bottles and cans and return them to a redemption facility or at the grocery store. If your state has a bottle bill, you will earn money back (up to 15 cents) on every bottle or can that you turn in. In my state, I can return my bottles and cans for a credit that I can use toward my grocery bill.

5) Plan Your Meals

When you plan your meals ahead of time and create a shopping list, you will actually spend less at the grocery store than if you buy on impulse or without a carefully thought-out plan. Menu planning will also cut down on the number of trips you have to make to the store each week, saving you money on gas while releasing less pollution into the atmosphere.

Making green lifestyle changes can be done in baby steps or big steps, depending on what works with you and your family. No change is too small, however, as when we all pitch in, it can really make a difference. You might be surprised how easy and affordable it can be.

Do you have any other environmentally and budget friendly tips to share?