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The rise of costs for numerous consumer goods across the country has many concerned about their financial futures. Inflation has also started to hurt people’s retirement accounts, leaving many worried about their spending. Maybe you are looking for ways to start saving now so that you can get back to a place of comfort or optimism around the state of your finances.
Fortunately, there are many ways that you can save money over time that you may not have considered before. Some methods involve a bigger investment upfront that pays off over time and eventually creates more savings, while others are all about cutting back on unnecessary costs. But one thing that puts this list of ideas all into one category is that they are helpful for the environment.
Go solar for your home
Solar energy is a renewable source of energy that is becoming more popular with individuals and businesses around the world. The installation of solar panels is a common renovation that homeowners are making which is helpful for the environment and can help them save money in the long run. For one thing, installing solar panels can often be used for a sizable tax write-off. Also, it can help cut down on your utility bill as you will be drawing less electricity from external sources. Though the initial installation will be costly, the long-term savings will make up for it the longer you live there. Plus, it can pump up the resale value of your home if you plan to sell at some point.
Take public transportation
The more people use public transportation, the fewer vehicles have to be on the road, which is better for the environment. Also, if you are making the switch to public transportation, it can greatly reduce maintenance costs for your vehicle. Or, if you are completely ditching a personal vehicle, you can avoid car payments and insurance costs, which would help you save a lot of money each month with public transportation usually being a lower expense. Also, many forms of public transportation, such as buses, are safe in terms of the dangers associated with an accident. You will be less likely to suffer any costly injuries on a bus than in a small car. Switching to public transportation can save you money and is less harmful to the environment.
Grow your herbs
There are a lot of environmentally-friendly practices that you can adopt within your home that will also save you some money. You could choose to grow your herbs next to a well-lit window in the kitchen or on a window seat. This will save you money on paying for these herbs, as seeds are generally very cheap, and you can avoid the use of packaging that store-bought herbs would likely use. Growing your herbs is a great way to save some money while going green.
Buy efficient appliances
Saving money on electricity and utilities is as simple as a light bulb. Installing LED bulbs throughout the home cuts back on energy usage, they last longer than regular bulbs, and it prevents frequent disposal of light bulbs that can hurt the environment. There is also a huge market for energy-efficient appliances that can cut down on the use of electricity and natural gas. Some examples include programmable thermostats, refrigerators, dishwashers, microwaves, and plenty of others. As you shop for these items that will save you money in the long run, look for their EnergyStar rating to determine how efficient they are. These investments will cut costs over time while also helping the environment.
Reuse and repurpose
Saving money and eliminating waste often go hand-in-hand, so repurposing items that have served their initial function, or using them over and over again, is a great practice. You can use old milk cartons as growers, (maybe for your herbs). If you have purchased plastic water bottles, refill them after the first use and put them in your refrigerator or freezer to avoid disposing of them. Finding a new purpose for items you want to dispose of can be fun as there are plenty of creative ways to reuse them. When in doubt, try checking out Pinterest or Instagram for some insightful ideas about reducing waste and finding new ways to use old items.
Going green is not always expensive
A lot of people have the misconception that environmentally friendly living is often more expensive. Although some new technologies and methods can be a big investment, they often end up saving people money after a while. Using renewable resources, efficient appliances, cutting out wasteful practices, and growing foods yourself are great ways to go green on a budget, so do your research and see what practices will work for you. Let’s save money together and help our beautiful planet at the same time.
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