Simple Ways to Go Green & Save BIG!

By Martha Miller

There are tons of great reasons to go green, but one of the best is that it can save you money! A lot of it! Living greenly also means teaching your kids some important lessons. Here are five ways you can take going green to the next level while boosting your family’s budget:

1. Reduce More
Last July, when gas prices went crazy-high, my family and I managed to go one month on one tank of gasoline – a 50% reduction in our normal usage! We thought we were already doing everything we could to save fuel, but we pushed ourselves and met our goal. We still carefully consider all our car errands, and we’re still saving money.

We’re trying to conserve more water at our house too. I know my little one understands because when I forget and let the water run while brushing my teeth, Nate will scold me: “You’re wasting water, Mommy!” It is both a humbling and proud mama moment.

2. Recycle More
I switched to recycled paper towels this past year. What an easy thing to do! But to reduce waste even more, I’m reaching for rags to wipe up spills whenever possible. These small things really add up over the course of a year.

3. Reuse More
Get in the green habit of always bringing reusable bags to the grocery store. Stores like Safeway and Whole Foods already offer a five-cent discount if you b.y.o.b. (bring your own bag), and lower costs for stores mean lower prices for consumers.

4. Refuse More
I took two of my husband’s ties to the dry cleaner recently. When I went to pick them up, each one was on a wire hanger and each one was bagged in a huge piece of plastic. I gently removed the ties and handed the bags and hangers back to the owner.

Refuse to buy every new toy that your child asks for. You’ll save money, reduce waste, and your child will learn to appreciate what he already has.

5. Renew More
Our family would go broke quickly if I bought every book we wanted to read. So, we check out a lot of books and movies from the library. Reserving and renewing items is easy now, with online access (visit SacLib.org or Placer.Ca.gov). Library loans have also provided some valuable “teaching moments.” We talk about being especially careful with borrowed items, so they’ll be in good condition for the next family to enjoy.

Show your children ways to have fun that are inexpensive and good for the earth, and you’ll be a better, less-stressed parent for it.