Green Responses

I shop at consignment stores. Not only does it save money and reduce waste, it also keeps the money local, which is important to me in this economy.
Paige M., New Castle, Ind.

1. Not only can you switch off the lights but if you unplug your lamps, TVs, etc. This can save as well.

2. Turn you water heater down to 130 degrees saves 15 percent and turn your heat off when leaving the house. It can save 30 percent.
Susan L. Ky.

I bought stainless steel water bottles for me and my kids at Christmas and refill with the filtered water in my fridge. Saves not only money, but a ton in plastic bottles! Anne H., Greenfield, Wisc.

Our town charges outrageous fees/taxes for water usage. I try to implement several small attempts to save/reuse water. We save money by not running the faucet while brushing our teeth. You only need the water to rinse your mouth and the brush. Same thing for men shaving - don't run the water constantly; but, only when you rinse the razor. If one person is waiting to use the toilet right behind someone else, we encourage using only one flush instead of two. When changing the pet's water, we pour the old water on potted plants. Also, any cooking water that has cooled can be used to water plants. Warm cooking water can be used to rinse food scraps down the drain instead of running water for it. Planting grass that is appropriately hardy for your geographic location should cut down on the need to water the lawn. But, if you have kids playing in the yard, what is the use of watering it since their playing – which is more important than it looking good – will damage it anyway?
Julie M., Collierville, Tenn.

I recycle approximately 95 percent of my garbage through recycling glass, plastic's, paper, metal and compostable materials. This eliminates the need for trash pickup saving approximately $250 a year. The trash that does need to go to a land fill is accepted at the recycle center for $1.25 for a 35-gallon bag. This bag is taken on the average every six weeks along with the recycle.
Greg S., Leavenworth, Ind.

I am an avid recycler-our village has had an ongoing recycling program in place for many years.

I also save all kitchen waste – fruits, veggies, egg shells, coffee grinds – and I compost for vegetable/flower gardens hence negating the need for chemical fertilizers.
Carolyn B., La Grange, Ill.

Your "camping out inside" suggestion is fine, but please let people know that turning off your thermostat in very cold weather runs the risk of frozen and broken water pipes. Your house temperature should never be below freezing. You can turn your thermostat to 50 degrees and save a lot of energy without damaging water pipes.
Donna H., Spring Hill, Kansas

Editor's note: Excellent point. Thanks for sharing.

My husband bought two cheap motorcycles, fixed them up and he takes his to work and I will be taking to work at least once a week weather permitting during the summer.
Laura M., Green Bay, Wisc.

I do not use pre-packaged cake, brownie, biscuit or cornbread mixes. Look at a cookbook and look up a simple recipe. A box mix requires oil, eggs and water. You only need to measure a few extra ingredients like baking soda or baking powder, salt and flour to make the mix by scratch. You also have no preservatives. You save money, packaging and less strain on your back carrying the mixes home. Try it.
Lynn Ellen C. Villa Park, Ill.

Big saver, Tankless gas or electric water heaters. They only heat water on demand NOT 24 hours a day. I have had both electric and gas tankless units and both reduced my electric bill by over $30 per month. And the electric one is the size of a phone book saving a lot of room in the utility room. There are two types of gas tankless units. One exterior style needs no chimney and one interior that needs exterior exhausting. Plus one can get a government rebate for switching to gas and for switching to a tankless. That paid for my heater all I paid for was the installation. Now when we loose electricity in a hurricane I can have a hot shower and wash dishes and clothes using my generator to supply power for the clothes washer. I have a "solar clothes dryer" (i.e. old-time clothes line)
Susan B. West Park, Fla.

1. Instead of buying garbage can liners for small bedroom/bathroom garbage can, I re-use the plastic bags my groceries come in.

2. Instead of using chemicals like Lysol and two gallons of hot water to mop my floors, I have purchased a steam mop. This keeps me from breathing chemicals, using two gallons of hot water (the steam mop only uses 3 cups of water) and my floors are sanitized without chemicals. As a bonus, my back doesn't hurt from lugging two gallons of water around.

When my gas lawnmower bit the dust at the end of last summer, I decided to purchase an electric lawnmower. Not only does it not pollute the air but it won't cost a fortune when gas prices go back up and I won't pull any muscles trying to start the lawnmower.
Rose N, Louisville, Ky.

To help save water-when the dogs water needs dumped out and changed, I use the dirty water to water my plants-I just rotate which plant gets the water each time.
Susan G. Spring Hill, Kansas

My New Year's resolution is to go green this year. I have decided it is something I can do for sure (unlike losing weight! Ha!).

I bring my own bags shopping everywhere, clothes, groceries, etc. I have a bag that zips into a 4"x4" pouch that I always keep in my purse in case I forget to bring a bag I always have one!

Some stores give you money for bringing your own bags, too!.

I also reuse my water bottles. I just wash them and use them again and again! We have a reverse osmosis water system at home. So I save money by not having to buy bottled water anymore!

These are just a couple ways to save money and go green!
Ellen A., Green Bay, Wisc.

I air dry all my laundry. Clothes dryers use a ridiculous amount of electricity. I have a clothesline outside for nice weather, and a large folding wooden rack for use indoors and all year long. In the winter this has the added bonus of humidifying my house, which helps us get fewer colds and buy less skin lotion.
Genevieve O., Oxford, Ohio

While waiting for the shower water to heat up, I capture the cold water in a large jug and use it later to water my plants.
Anne S., Louisville, Ky.

We always recycle bottles, cans and paper the typical way. But we also use cans for pencil cups, egg cartons for lost paper clips, etc. Cleaning is the best way to go Green. Instead of store-bought toxic cleaners, we use sale, vinegar, baking soda and Borax to clean counters, bathrooms, laundry and many more. It smells better and keeps our family (and dogs) healthier!
Susan P., Cincinnati, Ohio

I try to buy more fruits and vegetables grown locally. It saves fuel if you have to ship less food across the country.
Andrea L., Spring Hill, Fla.

A small tip is to cut fabric softener sheets in half. Dinner napkins too. It's something you can do if you're vegging out in front of the TV that reduces the cost of those items by half.
Cherie, New Orleans

Use fabric napkins instead of paper.

While waiting for the hot water to run in the shower, I collect the cold water and used for watering plants or flush the toilet. Don't run water while brushing the teeth, get a plastic cup of water. Disconnect electric appliances and other electronic equipment that is not being used.
Maria R. Milwaukee, Wisc.