10 Ways To Go Green and Save Green

Going green does not have to mean spending more. Below are changes you can make with no impact on your budget. Well, not exactly no impact; some of these ideas will save you money, time or both!  

Even though they do not have an initial cost, they are a change from your normal routine. Pick a few at a time. When you have mastered those, pick a couple more.  

#1. Pay Bills Electronically 

Save the paper! Minimally this saves you the stamp. If you set up automatic payments, it will save you the time of paying the bill each month.   

Average Annual Savings: 12 * 0.44 = $5.28 per bill

 #2. Switch to Simple Cleaners 

Harsh chemicals are found in most common cleaning supplies. Next time you need some all-purpose cleaner, refill the spray bottle with equal parts vinegar and water and use that.  at the Westford Valley Marketplace is fine for this recipe.  for more savings.  

Average Annual Savings: $7.40 

#3. Stop Buying Anti-Bacterial Cleaners 

All those anti-bacterial products may be doing us more harm than good. Fill a spray bottle with vinegar and place a spray top on a bottle of hydrogen peroxide.  

Spray one then the other on anything you wish to sanitize such as counters, kitchen table, lunch bags, water bottles, etc.

Do not use vinegar on granite counters.  

Cost of 32 oz of vinegar = 40 cents, hydrogen peroxide is $1 for a grand total of $1.40.  Average Annual Savings: $7.40

#4. Plan Your Meals for the Week 

Cut down on food waste.

Make a menu for the week and your grocery list BEFORE you go shopping.  

Estimates were all over the place, but let's assume a conservative $10 per week. Average Annual Savings: $520

#5. Eat Less Meat 

Producing beef uses lots of water and cows produce methane which is worse for the environment than carbon dioxide. Cut your grocery budget and your fat intake by reducing the amount of meat you eat.  

Let's say you reduce your meat by 2 lbs a week at roughly $4 per pound and replace it with beans at $3. Average Annual Savings: $250

#6. Buy Dried Beans 

Want to save even more, buy dry beans and cook them yourself. Dry beans cost about 1/3 the price of canned. Buy them in bulk at Wholefoods in Bedford or and save even more.  

Annual Savings: $104

#7. Turn Your Hot Water Heater Down to 120 Degrees

Save fuel. You may need to play with how low you can set your hot water heater. How much you save depends on the temperature and the method of heating.  

My Average Annual Savings: $50

#8. Turn You Hot Water Heater to Vacation Mode when you are away 

Save more fuel. If you are going away for more than 3 days, turn your hot water heater to Vacation mode or way down. Again, the savings will vary widely based on your hot water heater and how often you go away.  

My Average Annual Savings: $20

#9. Wash Your Clothes in Cold Water 

Save even more fuel. Most of the energy used to wash your clothes goes into heating the water. Take a look at this website to figure out how much you could save.  

My Average Annual Savings: $70

#10. Consolidate Your Errands 

Yes, save fuel again. You could save at least 10 miles of driving per week with one less trip to Nashua or Four Corners. If you saved 10 miles per week, 20 mpg for your mini-van, at $3 per gallon

Average Annual Savings: $78

A note about the Average Annual Savings: I tend to be on the conservative side so actual savings could be even higher.