In a tough economy it can be hard to balance your desire to be eco-conscious with the need to keep your head above water financially.  ‘Green’ doesn’t have to mean more expensive. Here are a few tips for saving money while helping the environment.  Remember, it all adds up:

1. Turn off that television, computer and peripherals when you’re not using them.  You’d be surprised at how much power they’re sucking up in standby, (think: vampire).
2. Exchange your incandescent bulbs for low energy, long lasting CFLs.  I know you’ve heard it before, but it will save you money.
3. Get off the bottled water merry-go-round.  Slap a water filtration system on you kitchen sink or tap, or get a Brita or Zero Water tap water filtration pitcher and by all means get yourself a reusable water bottle to refill as needed. You’ll be surprised how much dinero you can save and you won’t be tossing hundreds of pounds of plastic into landfills every year.
4. Drive more economically.  You can shave real dollars off your weekly gasoline bill by driving more sensibly.  Cut out the tailgating, fast starts and stops, idling while in park, and use the cruise control.  It all makes a difference.
5. Utilize as much re-usable stuff around your home as possible.  Use cloth dish towels and napkins instead of paper.  Re-use appropriate food storage containers.
6. Whether or not you pay your local water company for using H2O, start using the dishwasher instead of hand washing dishes — it actually uses less water, just make sure those loads are full.
7. If you’ve got a suitable yard or patio, grow your own veggies.  Not only will you save cash but you won’t need to rely on the incompetent inspectors at the FDA to control your salmonella intake.
8. Eat more veggies and less red meat.  The cattle and livestock industries create a lot of CO2 emissions and consume a lot of natural resources like water and land.  By reducing your meat intake you’ll be fighting global warming and making your colon just a little happier – not to mention veggies cost alot less than steak.
9. Get programmable thermostats for your home.  Heat the rooms you want, when you want.  Turn down the heat at night and in rooms you’re not using.  If you’re lucky enough to have a second home, turn that heat down when you’re not there.
10. Think before you buy something.  Does it hurt the planet?  Do I really need it?