You don’t have to spend a lot of money to be environmentally friendly. Even if you don’t drive an electric car or have solar panels on your house, you can still do your part to make a better world and keep a little bit of money in your wallet as well. Here are a few ways to go green and save money.

Water Tips

First and foremost, never ignore a water leak in your home. While the drip-drip-drip of a faucet or a constantly running toilet may seem inconsequential, water loss adds up quickly, both monetarily and environmentally. While a plumber is sometimes required, many repairs can be inexpensive, do-it-yourself projects.

Invest in a re-usable water bottle. There are bottles that filter water and bottles that keep it chilled. Show your love for the planet by avoiding the purchase of pre-packaged, bottled water. If water quality is an issue, there are many economical filtration options on the market.

Electric Tips

Do not believe that all of those little appliances in your home are idly sitting by at no expense while not in use. If you are not toasting toast, making coffee or charging your cell phone every hour upon the hour, unplug it! You will save money and reduce your energy consumption.

Programmable thermostats help to cool and heat your home more efficiently. If that is not an option, set the thermostat a couple of degrees lower in winter or higher in the summer.

Gas Tips

Reduce gas consumption by planning your trips to make your miles more productive. Can you pick up prescriptions or stop at the grocery store on your way home from work? Make a list of the places you need to go and plan your route ahead of time.

Shopping Tips

Save money and be a friend of the environment by purchasing items in bulk and packaging them into convenient snack or meal-sized servings on your own. Pre-packaged snacks from the store may seem like an easy option, but they are more expensive and are definitely more wasteful. Utilizing re-usable containers is the most environmentally friendly option, but even if you use plastic bags you can still help the environment by recycling.

This also applies to shopping for items for your home such as custom windows. Always look for energy efficient windows and appliances. They may be a little more expensive then the basics but it will pay itself off quickly with the money you save on your utility bills.

There is no time like the present to embrace your environmentally-friendly self. Not only will you feel good by doing good, but you will cut your costs. Whether you have a little or a lot, you can go green and save money!