Refresher Course

Being green on a budget is always my focus; how to make changes in your lifestyle that help reduce or offset your carbon footprint. We can’t all afford solar panels on the roof or have the space for a windmill in the backyard but we can make smart choices that help the planet as well as helping the wallet. There are few simple things that greenies talk about all the time that some of us layman may not be a reminder. Consider this blog a refresher of the basics.

Turning down the air conditioner and turning down the heat just a few degrees can help offset your carbon emissions and save up to three percent on your bill for every degree above 72. Lowering the temp on the water heater to 120 degrees will help also. I mean do you really need to heat your water to 140 degrees?

Buy wisely and buy local. Always read the labels on packaging and understand what you are buying, what it contains, where it comes from and whether or not it is worth the price tag.

Turn off lights when you leave a room. It’s an easy habit to start that can greatly reduce your energy bill. We worked really hard on switching off lights and unplugging appliances this summer and were lucky enough to notice absolutely no hike in our summer electric bill. It works.

Reduce, reuse and recycle whenever possible. Avoid plastic grocery bags, buy food in reusable containers (I recommended the lunch meats that come in reusable tubs), find two or three uses for every item you bring into your home and separate trash for recycling. These actions can save money and after a few weeks or months can become lifelong habits that you can teach to your children.

Car pool, ride a bike or walk to work. This not only reduces your personal reliance on fossil fuels, it saves money and promotes a healthier lifestyle.

Call the telemarketers, the vendors and the mailing lists and get off the selling grid. This saves energy, time, paper and headaches.

Basically what it comes down to is thinking things through, planning ahead and making smart choices. Simple really, but worth the reminder.