3 Ways Going Green Can Help You Save Money

Almost anyone will jump at the chance to spend less of the hard-earned money they make from working countless hours over the years. Additionally, most people also say that they would love to help make the world a healthier and more sustainable place if it was either cheaper or more convenient to do. Luckily, there are simple ways you can make a difference to the environment and save money while you do it. To show you how, here are three great ways to “go green” and spend less money simultaneously.

Drive Less, Carpool More

Owning a car can be expensive. From gas to maintenance and fees, you can be shelling out a small fortune each month depending on how far you have to travel to work and other locations. Luckily, there are quite a few options for driving less, which will minimize your transportation expenses and maximize your budget.

According to Dan Shapley, a contributor to Good Housekeeping, the average person could save as much as $1,000 a year on gas simply by carpooling to work with your coworkers. And if you live close to work or near public transportation, your travel costs could all but drop off completely by choosing to walk, bike, or take the bus or train to work, giving you even more money to keep in your bank account while producing less carbon emissions.

Cheaper Isn’t Always Better For Your Wallet or The Environment

From a financial standpoint, it often seems like a good idea to save money by purchasing the least expensive option. However, J.D. Roth, a contributor to Entrepreneur.com, shares that this way of thinking isn’t necessarily good for your wallet or the world.

Roth illustrates this idea by stating how he thought he was saving money by getting a new pair of cheap gardening gloves each spring. However, he would have to make that purchase each and every year because those gloves gave out on him after just a few months. Now that he bought a slightly more expensive glove, he hasn’t had to replace them in years, saving himself a lot of money in the long run and producing less waste that ends up in landfills.

Skip The Electric Conveniences at Home

Depending on where you live, your electric bill and other utilities could be a very big bill you have to pay for each month. But by choosing to forego some of the more wasteful modern conveniences that use electricity, like your dishwasher and clothes dryer, you could save yourself money on your utility bills as well as using less scarce resources. When possible, Prerna Malik, a contributor to EverydayFamily.com, suggests washing dishes by hand or hang drying clothes to use less electricity and spend less money at home.

Helping the environment doesn’t have to mean spending more money than you normally would just living your everyday life. Use the tips mentioned above to help you find simple yet effective ways you can change your daily habits to make the world a greener place while saving some green yourself.