A list of easy, but often overlooked ways, to be eco-friendlier.

It has always been the Two Girls Go Green mantra to do what you can whenever you can. There are TONS of small things we can do on a regular basis that are easy, environmentally friendly AND often save you time and money...below are 25 of them.

Got any good ones of your own? Do tell in the comments below.

1. Always carry a reusable shopping back with you. Whether it's in your purse or in the back of your car, keep one handy. Oftentimes we stop at the grocery store on a whim, it's good to always have one ready to avoid the "paper or plastic" question.

2. Bring reusable containers to restaurants. Avoid Styrofoam, plastic and cardboard altogether and use reusable plastic containers to take your doggy bag home.

3. Refrigerate your water. Instead of running your water until it gets cold, fill up a pitcher of water and store it in the fridge for cool, refreshing water later.

4. Use blinds/curtains. Instead of running up your heating bill and energy use, help insulate your house by installing a set of durable blinds or curtains to keep closed on those frigid nights.

5. Be the cool one at the party and write your name on a cup...or better yet, bring your own. Those big blue and red cups must have their own section at the landfills. Avoid contributing your own stash.

6. Turn out the lights. When you leave the room, make a conscious effort to shut off the lights and conserve energy. This is one of the least used tips and one of the easiest to do.

7. Never throw away your old clothes. Turn it into something else. If you're not into upcycling, donate your clothes to the Salvation Army, or a local homeless shelter. Even if you think it's hideous and no one will wear it, someone else may find it to be a treasure.

8. Find alternatives for wrapping paper. There are so many other ways to wrap gifts. Old clothes, cloth napkins, old newspapers and magazines, bed sheets...you get the point.

9. Keep it classy with a hankie. Rather than go through a box of Kleenex, use a cloth handkerchief and wash it when needed.

10. Bring your coffee mug to the coffee shop. Fill 'er up--some places will even give you discounts for saving them the financial and waste burdens.

11. Stop driving solo (when you can). Vanpool. Carpool. Walk. Take the bus! So many choices. Make it an effort to cut out individual cars whenver you can.

12. Fix your leaks. Don't save leaky pipes for rainy days. The sooner you fix them, your water consumption and water bill will go down the drain.

13. Cloth towels > Paper Towels. I am no mathematician, but cloth towels will save a lot of trees and a lot of trash.

14. Do a full load, matey. Regardless of the debate of whether it's more energy efficient to wash your dishes or do them by hand...if you do your dishes in the machine, make sure you have a full load before you run it.

15. Brown paper lunch bags are not cool. Buy a cute insulated lunch bag or tin for to carry your lunch.

16. Take cold showers and use cold water to wash your clothes. I am only half-kidding about taking cold showers, but washing your clothes with cold water (and taking cooler showers) will conserve energy.

17. Why are you running the water while you’re brushing your teeth? It's not doing anything except wasting precious water.

18. Unplug. Most chargers and appliances will drain some amount of energy even if they are not charging anything or turned on. So unplug the unnecessary.

19. Know what you can recycle and practice it. Look up what your recycling service accepts in its bins and abide by it. If your office or friend's house doesn't have a bin or system in place, take the recyclables [hygienically] home with you and recycle them.

20. Drive 55 miles per hour (where you legally can). Scientists have found this to be the most fuel-efficient speed when it comes to aerodynamics and other sciency things.

21. Hang dry your clothes. When I lived in Ecuador, you had no other option. Be free and set your clothes free. Give your dryer a break every now and then and hang your clothes to dry either inside or out.

22. Organize your errands route beforehand. Think about the multiple errands you have to run before you leave the house. Plan out the most fuel-efficient route to take. Use Google Maps/MapQuest to help save fuel.

23. Water still tastes good in a SIGG. Instead of plastic bottles, buy a water filter and invest in a reusable water bottle.

24. Turn down your thermostat a couple degrees. You probably won't even notice the temperature difference. Wear another layer if you do. When you're out of the house, turn down a couple more degrees. Or better yet, buy and install a programmable thermostat.

25. Never throw out old board games or decks of cards...even if they are missing pieces. There are so many fun art projects you can do with this type of stuff. Google away! And again, if you're not into art, there is always someone else who is...like me!

By Gawky Green of Two Girls Go Green

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