Green living: Inexpensive ways to save our planet today

By Bailey Newman, content writer at CouponChief, guest author

There’s no denying anymore that our precious Earth is in serious trouble. And lots of human activity – from air pollution to deforestation – has something to do with it. If we don’t change, we face both unintended and potentially permanent consequences. Indeed, the need for us to act now has never been more compelling. And we can start by taking on an earth-friendly lifestyle.

The thing is far too many people believe that going green will drain their wallets. Well, the good news is that it doesn’t have to.

There are plenty of inexpensive ways you can reduce your environmental footprint. And you can start with these seemingly trivial steps:

• Line dry your clothes when weather permits. You’ll save money, reduce energy usage, and create the best-smelling sheets ever.
• Wash clothes only when they’re dirty. You don’t have to throw all your barely worn clothes directly in the bin. If you wear a shirt for a few hours, you can hang it back up for a second chance before you wash. The less laundry you have to do, the more money, energy, and time you get to save.
• Eat leftovers. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations reports that around one-third of the food for human consumption is wasted every year. Avoid adding to this number by eating leftovers instead of throwing them away. Certain foods freeze well, while others can be saved and reheated for days.
• Unplug appliances when not in use. Your toaster, curling iron, and other electronics suck energy from your sockets even when they’re not in use. So, reduce your energy bills and waste by unplugging items you’re not using.
• Turn off the faucet when you brush your teeth or wash dishes. Singing “Happy Birthday” while you brush your teeth isn’t doing our planet any favor – you could be wasting gallons of water every day. So, turn off the faucet while you brush your teeth or scrub the dishes. Any water waste you can prevent will add up fast.

There are also planet-saving strategies that may require you to pay more upfront. But they can pay off – both through lowered consumption and lower energy bills. Here are some of them:

• Switch to ENERGY STAR-approved appliances when you upgrade. A comprehensive package of ENERGY STAR appliances can save up to $80 per year in energy costs compared to regular appliances, according to the federal government.
• Replace old lightbulbs: Compact fluorescent bulbs or CFLs and light-emitting diodes or LEDs last much longer than your old incandescent bulbs.
• Switch to low-flow showerheads. They use a lot less water than their high-flow counterparts. So, invest in them if you want to conserve water and lower your water bill over time.
• Buy a programmable thermostat. You’ll save energy and lower your utility bills by programming your thermostat to conserve while you’re away.

​So what are you waiting for? If you’re losing sleep over environmental issues, you can do more than worry – you can act. If you want to learn more about how to get started today, read CouponChief’s cheap green living guide for saving the planet.