10 Going Green easy tips

1-Save energy to save money.

-Set your thermostat a few degrees lower in the winter and a few degrees higher in the summer to save on heating and cooling costs.
-Install compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) when your older incandescent bulbs burn out.
-Unplug appliances when you're not using them. Or, use a "smart" power strip that senses when appliances are off and cuts "phantom" or "vampire" energy use.
-Wash clothes in cold water whenever possible. As much as 85 percent of the energy used to machine-wash clothes goes to heating the water.
-Use a drying rack or clothesline to save the energy otherwise used during machine drying. If you must use a dryer, consider adding dryer balls to cut drying time.

2-Save water to save money.

-Take shorter showers to reduce water use. This will lower your water and heating bills too.
-Install a low-flow showerhead. They don't cost much, and the water and energy savings can quickly pay back your investment.
-Make sure you have a faucet aerator on each faucet. These inexpensive appliances conserve heat and water, while keeping water pressure high.
-Plant drought-tolerant native plants in your garden. Many plants need minimal watering. Find out which occur naturally in your area.

3-Less gas = more money (and better health!).

-Walk or bike to work. This saves on gas and parking costs while improving your cardiovascular health and reducing your risk of obesity.
-Consider telecommuting if you live far from your work. Or move closer. Even if this means paying more rent, it could save you money in the long term.
-Lobby your local government to increase spending on sidewalks and bike lanes. With little cost, these improvements can pay huge dividends in bettering your health and reducing traffic.

4-Eat smart.
-If you eat meat, add one meatless meal a week. Meat costs a lot at the store-and it's even more expensive when you consider the related environmental and health costs.
-Buy locally raised, humane, and organic meat, eggs, and dairy whenever you can. Purchasing from local farmers keeps money in the local economy.
-Watch videos about why local food and sustainable seafood are so great.
-Whatever your diet, eat low on the food chain [pdf]. This is especially true for seafood.

5-Skip the bottled water.
-Use a water filter to purify tap water instead of buying bottled water. Not only is bottled water expensive, but it generates large amounts of container waste.
-Bring a reusable water bottle, preferably aluminum rather than plastic, with you when traveling or at work.

6-Think before you buy.

-Go online to find new or gently used secondhand products. Whether you've just moved or are looking to redecorate, consider a service like craigslist or FreeSharing to track down furniture, appliances, and other items cheaply or for free.
-Check out garage sales, thrift stores, and consignment shops for clothing and other everyday items.
-When making purchases, make sure you know what's "Good Stuff" and what isn't.

7-Borrow instead of buying.

-Borrow from libraries instead of buying personal books and movies. This saves money, not to mention the ink and paper that goes into printing new books.
-Share power tools and other appliances. Get to know your neighbors while cutting down on the number of things cluttering your closet or garage.

8-Buy smart.
-Buy in bulk. Purchasing food from bulk bins can save money and packaging.
-Wear clothes that don't need to be dry-cleaned. This saves money and cuts down on toxic chemical use.
-Invest in high-quality, long-lasting products. You might pay more now, but you'll be happy when you don't have to replace items as frequently (and this means less waste!).

9-Keep electronics out of the trash.

-Keep your cell phones, computers, and other electronics as long as possible.
-Donate or recycle them responsibly when the time comes. E-waste contains mercury and other toxics and is a growing environmental problem.
-Recycle your cell phone.
-Ask your local government to set up an electronics recycling and hazardous waste collection event.

10-Make your own cleaning supplies.
-The big secret: you can make very effective, non-toxic cleaning products whenever you need them. All you need are a few simple ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, lemon, and soap.
-Making your own cleaning products saves money, time, and packaging-not to mention your indoor air quality.

Try doing as much as possible of these tips, you'd always make a difference! :)