Save Money: November's Sustainable Living Tip

Save money while saving the planet. Personal thrift promotes planetary well being. But think carefully about every purchase. Don't save money at the expense of the planet--eating at a fast-food chain instead of an organic local restaurant, for example. Instead, find ways to balance your budget that bring global benefits.

Top 20 money and planet-saving tips

1. Turn down the heat. Whether by hand or with an automatic programmable thermostat, lowering your heating bill is one of the most effective ways you can save. With space heaters in rooms that need to stay warm, you can probably safely turn down your main thermostat to 50 degrees (check with a plumber to make sure).
2. Heat people, not possessions. Instead of turning your thermostat up and heating your entire house, use electric space heaters when and where you need them. It's an easy, affordable way to create warm comfort zones around the people you love.
   
3. Insulate. This is an investment with a great guaranteed return. Start with your attic, but don't forget to insulate around your basement, too.
4. Seal air leaks. Blocking those cold drafts not only keeps you more comfortable, but saves money. Remember, for every cold breeze blowing in, there is a warm breeze leaking out. Do your part to stop global warming!
5. Turn off the lights. If you're not vigilant about turning off the lights when you leave a room, I bet you're spending at least $50 per year unnecessarily. Not a big deal? If you don't need the extra money, turn off the lights anyway and donate the money to charity. If every household in Brunswick did that, we'd raise $407,500 annually!
6. Unplug unused appliances.The EPA estimates that appliances use more energy while turned off than on! Why is that? Because most appliances suck power surreptitiously for things like remote controls and clocks. Unplug them to stop the waste.
   
7. Switch to CFL light bulbs. Compact fluorescent light bulbs are four times more efficient than the old-fashioned incandescent bulbs. Get a dollar's worth of light for a quarter!
   
8. Install low-flow showerheads. If your showerhead is more than a few years old, chances are you are wasting warm water--and the dollars used to heat it.
   
9. Wash clothes in cold water. Modern detergents work just fine in cold water. Why spend extra money on hot water for no reason?
   
10. Air dry clothes. A little time hanging clothes adds up to dozens of dollars over the course of a year. Plus, hanging clothes indoors during the winter adds welcome humidity to dry indoor air.
    
11. Cover your windows. Windows let in light, but also let out heat. Insulating blinds are the most effective, but even a thin covering helps block heat loss.
12. Compost. This is something you can do that literally makes your part of the world a better place for all living things. Save on trash fees and synthetic fertilizer costs.
    
13. Walk and bike more. Every mile you walk or bike instead of drive your car puts more than 50 cents in your pocket, according to the IRS. Personally, I find a bike trailer allows me to do all my grocery shopping with ease--and keeps me in shape!
    
14. Recharge your batteries. Rechargeable batteries can be recharged up to 1,000 times. That's a whole lot of savings in disposable batteries you don't need to buy--or throw away!
15. Bottle your own water. It's nice to have a bottle of water at work or school, but why not fill your own? For less than a penny per gallon, you can filter tap water and bring it with you in a reusable stainless steel bottle.
    
16. Pack your own lunch. It's no secret that you can eat better for less money when you pack your own lunch. With washable sandwich wraps and reusable bottles, you can also eat better with less trash.
    
17. Buy in bulk. Dollar for dollar, you get more product and less packaging when you buy in bulk. Got limited space? Find a store that lets you refill from their bulk dispensers.
    
18. Preserve food. For every food there is a season, but you can enjoy preserved food any time of the year. If you have a freezer, you'll pay less to operate it if you keep it full.
    
19. Grow your own garden. Container plants are a good option if you don't have much space or time. Plan now to save a bundle on herbs and fresh veggies next year.
    
20. Get outside. Entertaining your family doesn't have to be an expensive proposition. Taking time for a family hike around your neighborhood is a free way to reconnect with each other and your community. Set out on foot from your home with an open mind for adventure, and you'll be surprised what you discover!