Some people may think living an environment friendly lifestyle means making big changes. But you don’t need to install expensive solar panels or forego indoor water usage to have a positive impact on the environment. It’s possible to live a “greener” and “eco-friendly” life without sacrificing comfort – and without spending a lot of money.Following are some changes you can make that are good for the planet and your wallet: Downsize your vehicle: With the unpredictable nature of gas prices, downsizing can make a lot of financial sense. But you don’t need to buy a hybrid to save money at the gas tank – just choose a compact car.Smaller vehicles have smaller tanks and get far better miles to the gallon than other larger vehicles. A smaller car also comes at a lower price tag and is cheaper to maintain than larger trucks and sport utility vehicles. While you reduce your fuel consumption, you also end up saving a lot of money, which is a win every way you slice it.Hang-dry instead of machine-drying: Drying clothes can be an unnecessary use of electricity when you can just as easily hang them to dry. This can take a bit of planning since you probably have limited space for hanging clothes to dry, but it can lower your monthly electricity bills and extend the life of your dryer.End your reliance on bottled water: Bottled water is one of the most unnecessary expenses. If you’re already paying a monthly bill for tap water, why spend more money on pre-packaged water? While many people assume bottled water is better for them than tap water, that’s not always the case – some illnesses have been linked to contaminated bottled water. And the manufacture and transport of bottled water generates a lot of waste. When you filter your own water instead of buying it pre-packaged, you save money and contribute to a cleaner environment.Plant a tree: Trees are nature’s air-cleaners – and they can increase the value of your home. Consider planting a tree, which will pay for itself when it’s time to sell your home. If you plant a fruit-bearing tree, you’ll also enjoy the rewards of fresh fruit from your own yard.Reuse and recycle: The phrase “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” definitely holds true today. Keep that in mind when you’re thinking about chucking perfectly good items that have outlived their usefulness for you. Taking old belongings to a donation center or another salvage center that reuses or resells items can be a great way to give some of your items a second life. It also cuts down on the amount of junk you send to the landfill every year.If you find yourself reluctant to integrate environment friendly practices into your routine, start with small steps. You can also ease yourself into the eco-friendly mindset by making changes that benefit you in other ways, economic or otherwise. By reducing your carbon footprint and becoming a more efficient consumer, you’ll see significant savings.
