Sometimes it's expensive to "go green" when the cheaper alternative can harm the environment. In what ways can "Going Green" be GOOD for the pocketbook?

1. Simply buying less stuff: Less stuff equals less packaging, less environmental waste
2. Buying secondhand when possible
3. Using natural cleaners
4. Cooking from scratch

Anyone else have tips to add to the list?

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I am glad you started this thread.
This is what Witch's and the Indians and some others have been doing for centuries, living Green.

Grow and use from your gardens.
use your Tote bags for grocerys, it takes about 100 years for 1 plastic shopping bag to break down!
Grow your own herbs for seasoning, you can even grow them in the house in winter.
compost your food trash, it feeds your gardens, naturally.
recycle what you no longer use or need, instead of throwing it out.
Use more natural laundry products and cleaners
Give offerings to the earth's creatures, throw your stale bread outside

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If you tell your secrets to the wind... Don't be mad if it tell's the trees.

I like this thread, there are some great ideas so far.

I would like to add...

-Find uses for things that are not what they are intended for instead of throwing them away contributing to landfills. It can also save you money. For instance, use glass jars to hold small screws, nails, etc. in the garage instead of buying a storage unit specifically for that purpose.

-Doing things at home for entertainment, picnics, take walks, garden, etc. instead of driving places contributing to pollution and usually spending money on the entertainment as well.

I know what I think helps one be "green"

Learn to make as much as you can. It is amazing how if you are crafty you can save $$$ This also helps one reuse and recycle.

Repair instead of tossing...... even if it costs a bit more. I know that sounds counter productive but I think of all those electronics that get tossed aside because they cost more to repair than to purchase new.

I love browsing craft books from the 70's and before because they use less "canned" crafts and they often recycle everyday items. Be inspired by them.

Recycle books and entertainment. Loan them to friends or join a book swap. More people will enjoy the movie/book/ game you purchased.

The internet is wonderful, but try as much as you can to purchase locally.


Barb C

Use cloth diapers
Use cloth wipes
Use rags for cleaning (old t-shirts)
Use cloth napkins in place of paper products

All of the above are cheaper & greener!

Keep your lawn at 2 1/2 inches long. It cuts back on time and energy spent mowing and saves water and money because you don't need to water as often. Also, I have read, that when your lawn is longer the root structure becomes more thick and it kills off most weeds that attempt to grow in your lawn - meaning no pesticides, which also cost money and are not good for the environment. Oh, and leave your grass clippings on the yard to fertilize.

My biggest savings has come from having my own garden. This is good for the environment because I am not buying things that are shipped from far away and then packaged.

I have also cut down considerably on buying meat. I don't eat it at all anymore and my family only has it maybe once on a weekend. The factory farming industry is just a terrible thing for the environment (not to mention the animals).

I no longer use plastic bags at the grocery store, I bring my own.

I really don't drive very often. I save all my trips for one day.

We use what we have very often and don't waiste very much at all. It's amazing what you can do with what you have if you really think about it.

Walk or ride your bike instead of drive.

Buy less. Consuming less is the first step to conservation.

Use human power instead of battery power or plugging in. Do we always need to use a mixer when a whisk would do just as well? Do we need to make a smoothie when we could simply eat the whole fruit instead? A manual can opener works just as well as an electric one, etc.

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Buy in bulk. Organic grains, beans, and nuts, and green cleaners and soaps are cheaper in bulk and reduce packaging waste.

Try not to buy anything disposable! It is bad for the earth and you just have to buy it again, and again, and again.... .Also, try to stay at home as much as you can, and I totally agree with being vegetarian..It is smart, compassionate, AND frugal!