52 Ways to Save Money and Planet Earth

  1. Turn the lights off when you’re not in the room
  2. When a light bulb goes out, replace it with a compact fluorescent lamp(or CFL)
  3. During the heat of the day, close the shades.
  4. In the winter, open the shades.
  5. In the summer, do not keep the air conditioning below 78 Degrees F
  6. Enroll in a money saving plan with your utility company, to use the majority of energy at off peak hours. (Ok, this technically doesn’t save energy, but it does save your money!)
  7. Unplug small appliances when they are not in use
  8. Use fans instead of turning down the air conditioning
  9. When you are done with the computer for the day, shut it off.
  10. Plug your TVs, DVD players, game systems and computers in surge protector power strips and then shut them off when not in use.
  11. Replace out door and landscape lights with solar lighting.
  12. Instead of buying bottled water, put a filter on your tap water, boil it, if required, and use re-use bottles or pitchers.
  13. Drop the tissue in to the trash, instead of flushing and save gallons of water every time.
  14. When doing the laundry, only wash full loads.
  15. Instead of throwing away unused water or ice, save it to water your plants.
  16. When it rains, turn off your sprinklers and drip systems for a few days.
  17. If you live in hot climates, do not have a lawn.
  18. Water your plants and lawn at night (If you absolutely must have lawn.)
  19. Landscape with only native plants so you do not have to water them.
  20. Turn the water off when brushing the teeth.
  21. Only let the shower run for a few minutes when waiting for the water to heat up.
  22. Use cloth towels instead of paper towels.
  23. Don’t wash your car that often.
  24. When washing your car, do not let the hose run. Instead fill the bucket and use that water for cleaning.
  25. Buy concentrated cleaning products
  26. Always use cold water to wash clothes. (Yes even when using regular detergents.)
  27. Run your dishwasher only when it is full.
  28. Install low volume flush systems. ‘Use’ less water.
  29. Don’t use running water to thaw food.
  30. Install a low flow showerhead – Bathe your young children together.
  31. To speed up the heating of the shower, turn one bathroom faucet on to the “hot” position and run this until the shower turns warm.
  32. Purchase recycled paper products.
  33. Keep your vehicle tyres at recommended pressure
  34. Instead of idling, shut your car engine off at traffic lights.
  35. Go easy on the brakes when driving.
  36. Avoid drag on your car
  37. If you’re in the market for a new car, buy  hybrid or purchase one that gets at least 20km/litre mileage
  38. When you are in the market for new appliances, buy only energy efficient ones (look for the stars).
  39. Purchase programmable thermostat.
  40. If you’re in the markets to buy a new computer, buy a laptop instead of a desktop.
  41. If you’re in the market for a new water heater, buy a tank less water heater.
  42. Buy products with minimal packaging.
  43. Buy local food when possible from village markets.
  44. Combine errands so you the reduce driving distance.
  45. Walk, ride the bus or bike as often as you can.
  46. Ask your employer to let you telecommunicate/work from home at least one day per week.
  47. Clean the air conditioning filters once a month during the summer.
  48. Change your car’s air filter when dirty.
  49. Use timers for outdoor lights so they stay switched off during the day.
  50. Reuse as many times as you can.
  51. Reuse leather with other materials like cloth.
  52. Eat less meat, earn merit.