#1) Get a more economical car: better gas mileage (Saves you money in the long run ), better emissions than SUVs,  now the big spending era is over for most people…rethink your ride. Better yet see if you can carpool, ride your bike once a week to work or school.

#2) Buy vintage & refurbish or up-cycle the item. Refurbish means to make it like new again….reupolster it , re-finish it, restore it, repair it ect.   Up-cycling is the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of better quality or a higher environmental value. Like taking an old tea-pot & making it into a lamp.  www.craig’slist.com   (local used item for sale) , www.esty.com (Handcrafted or vintage items) ,& www.ebay.com a well know favorite for great deals & selling.

Modern chic or Shabby chic is very popular right now. These two styles are so personalize-able & easier on the pocket-book. If you start to study the  older furniture styles you can pick up some real quality items at estate sales. Waterfall Walnut dressers, Danish modern chairs…etc.

#3) Store a water pitcher in the fridge to keep it ice-cold. The water facet can release a gallon a minute. So waiting for the water to get colder can waste water resourses.

 #4) Install water saving facets, shower heads, buy a water saving (energy star) washing machines , dishwashers, & water heaters. If you live in an area that has a lot of sediment install a water filtration system . This will allow these great water saving machines to last longer, plus it tastes better . Win Win!

#5) Place a small recycling bin & a compost bin next to you’re in house garbage can. This makes for an easy to recycle & then just empty it into the curbside bin as you take your garbage out. 

#6) Donate you old cellphone to charity. The women’s shelter, homeless shelter, or just recycle them at any major cell phone service provider. Plus less clutter at home in that catch-all drawer.

#7) Stow reuseable bags in your car. This has become easier to do with so many easily accessible cool, bright, bags available ou there. My favorite are the one that are recycled out of old banner ads  or plastic pop bottle fabric (Ec0-Fi made from Polyester)

#8)   Wash Laundry in cold water for most of your cycles. The soap these days are better than your grandma’s they work in almost ant temp. I usually only use hot for socks & towels for obvious germ reasons.

#9) Use cloth napkins & table cloths at the table as they save on paper products.

        This mentality can become a whole new mind-set in all kinds of other household areas. There are patterns or suppliers on www.esty.com that have reusable Swiffer patterns for mops, or the dusters. Wash rags, replace your paper towels, 

#10)  Use the dishwashers air-dry cycle . This can cut a loads energy consumption by half.

#11) Plug your electrical appliances into power strips & turn off the power strip when they are not in use because devises this can draw power even when no in use.