Welcome to Green on a BudgetHey everybody! Liv here. We've added a whole bunch of new forums for Greenopolis members to express themselves in. I know they look a little empty now, but that's where you come in! So get posting! Sometimes going green can look like an expensive proposition, but here at Greenopolis we know better. More often than not, being frugal means being green, and vice versa. So here’s the place to discuss your ideas for saving green while being green.
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A lot of stores now allow
A lot of stores now allow you to save money if you use your own bags for purchases. Where I work you get 3 cents off per bag so eventually the bag pays for itself and your saving plastic/paper!
We try to do as much green
We try to do as much green stuff as we can. You're right in that a lot of the ideas are actually really frugal. Some of them do cost more, but in my opinion, it's worth it. Some green things have higher start up costs (CFL's for example) but then they save you so much money in the long run that it's definitely worth it!
Top 3 strategies
1--Make your voice heard. Contact your state's representatives http://www.house.gov/writerep/ and senators. Political pressure from the public is absolutely essential. Contact the white house (president@whitehouse.gov).
2-Energy is a major green house gas emmitter. Cutting back on your energy consumption saves your budget and the planet. In fact, cutting back on your power and gas bill can save more emissions than cutting back on your driving (unless you drive the stretch Hummer, and really, how is that 5 mpg treating ya?). Turn off the lights, use less temperature modifcation, unplug those vampire appliances (sorry desktop & cell phone charger). A good way to gauge if you have a vampire appliance is if there is heat in the plug when the appliance is not on.
3-Eat less meat. Meat is expensive to your pocketbook, the environment, and has been leaked to a multitude of diseases and conditions. Brown rice and beans make a complete protein & have a tiny carbon footprint compared to corn-fed stalled cattle. You'll be healthier too, eating beans, veggies, and whole grains.
4--Don't eat out or buy prepared foods. This is a huge budget saver!!! It also seriously reduces the trash your life produces. Think of the lifetime carbon footprint to bring you a 5 oz frozen dinner, or that hamburger. Fresh is always better.
I had seen this written up as an interview with a leading climate organization, but I'm still tracking down the source so you can see a deeper explanation.
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great tips, although not eating meat would be hard for my family=]