It may not be easy, but a few small steps can really make a difference. Here's an Earth Day 101 to share some of my simplest environmentally frugal ideas.
1. Bring your own bags to the grocery store (or any store for that matter).It took me awhile to fall into this habit. The driving force to change was the guilt I would have each time I forgot my bags and had to use paper or (gasp!) plastic at the store.
Bonus - I've also begun to reuse my veggie bags from the grocery store. As long as they are clean after use, there is no reason not to reuse
2. Group your errands
Back in the lovely days of Hollywood, I would run just about every errand by foot. This may seem time consuming, but factor in the traffic and parking obstacles, it actually evened out. These days, like most people, it isn't an option for me. Instead, I group all my trips together so I'm driving back and forth less.
3. Bills online and fewer mailed solicitation
Paying bills online is nothing new. It's a lifesaver for me since I miss my mail 90% of the time and can't afford to pay late fees these days. More importantly, it cuts down on paper. Also, enroll with http://www.optoutprescreen.com/ to halt credit card pre-approvals and direct mail marketing.
4. Wash your car at commercial car washes
This one actually surprised me. I washed my car myself for the first time since high school a few weeks ago and was so proud of my accomplishment. Unfortunately, the little Accord resembled a Disney Dalmatian more than a clean car. Luckily, I just learned that by going to the car wash, it can save hundreds of gallons of water (no, really).
Not to mention it saves me about an hour of time trying to wrestle with the water hose.
5. Workout without electricity.
I saw this on The Biggest Loser during NBC's green week. Before then, it hadn't really occurred to me. Try to workout without machines. Run, walk, or bike outside. Sculpt with free weights and exercise balls. If all else fails, sit ups and push ups will always do the trick ;)
6. Buy local
Support local farms. The food will not only be fresher (cutting down on shipment... some food is shipped 1500 miles! Which in turn cuts down on gas and diesel usage), but have less chemicals and pesticides, and be cheaper (cutting out the distributing middle man who accounts for an average of 82 cents for every produce dollar). Most importantly, it supports the smaller community business instead of the corporate big business whose agriculture practices are creating pollution, hormone-infested poultry and meat, and dangerous work environments for employees who are drastically underpaid.
7. Switch your most used light bulbs to florescent bulbs
My parents have actually been doing this for years. I used to hate the delay in the bulb to get bright enough to light the room. My advice is to still keep a few "regular" bulbed lamps around when that instant gratification is necessary. However, the 'rents sure did get it right. Electricity bills are lower, they last longer, and of course use less wattage.
8. EDUCATE YOURSELF!!!
So many people still don't understand the gravity of the problem. (If I had had a tree for everytime someone scoffed at global warming because the weather was unseasonably cold... well, perhaps I'd have a forest). Learn WHY cold weather is still an indicator of global warming, HOW bad our earth's state really is, but most importanly, WHAT you can do to help. Maybe my tips aren't convenient for you... find some that are!
So that I am not just "preaching" here, I'm listing some of the new plans I have to become a greener person
- I plan to put a bucket in my shower to collect the water I usually waste while waiting for it to get warm enough to hop in. This can then be used to water my plants around the house.
- Instead of buying new books, I've signed up with http://www.paperbackswap.com/ where I am able to trade my already used books (which I never reread) with others on the website. Costs for new books are simply the postage needed to send them.
Even easier... I should find my local library!
-Turn off my computer/s at night. I am SO guilty of not doing this! It's my challenge these next few weeks.
- I'm boycotting water bottles. They are only meant for one use. With repeated fills, the bottle's structure is compromised and seeps chemicals into the liquids being consumed. Tap water is actually better for you. Therefore, I'm buying a few reusable bottles to keep in the fridge.
Here's a great article with more info and some alternative options to H2O bottles :)
Happy Going Green Everyone!
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