10 Ways to Save Money & The Planet

Guest post by Geoffry

We are all aware of the value of being socially responsible – whether this is saving money or contributing to a greener world. There are many ways to economise on some expenses and feel that you are making savings where it counts, while rethinking your domestic strategy to develop some ecological strategies. Here are 10 ways to ease the strain on the planet while saving money.
1. Plastic Bottles
Plastic water bottles are almost universally regarded as environmentally unfriendly. Apart from the transportation costs and associated carbon footprint of transporting bottled water from its source to the shops, discarded bottles are a menace to wildlife. Save bottles by filtering tap water and keeping it cool in a metal water bottle.
2. Buy a Smaller Car
Downsizing from a large car to a smaller, more energy-efficient vehicle will reduce fuel bills. Keeping larger vehicles on the road is an expensive business, especially with insurance premiums and road tax on the rise. Switching off the engine while stationary will help save fuel.
3. Change your Shower Head
A four-minute shower can consume up to thirty litres of water. Modern showers are designed to maximize water pressure, which produces a vigorous spray but deposits far more water than is actually needed. Fit a low-flow shower head to cut down the volume, and take short, hot showers to reduce energy usage.
4. Eliminate Leaks
Leaking taps are more than a nuisance – they cost a fortune in lost water every year, and the cost of replacing them is a fraction of the monthly water bill. Like many small jobs that are easy to put off, leaking plumbing is easily, quickly and cheaply fixed.
5. Buy Rechargeable Batteries
Although many types of modern disposable battery can be recycled, most of the cheaper ones cannot. Rechargeable batteries will put in years of good service and prevent used batteries from going into landfill – cheap batteries contain many harmful chemicals, including lead.
6. Buy Local Food
Much of the produce sold in high street shops is shipped long distances with a high carbon footprint. Buying local produce reduces dependence on vegetables grown out of season and shipped at great expense to the UK. Locally sourced meat and poultry encourages small producers and is better quality than factory farmed meat.
7. Use Eco-Friendly Chemicals
Domestic chemicals are often far more damaging for the environment. Instead of bleach, consider using white vinegar, which will kill many types of bacteria in the home without harming wildlife.
8. Re-use Shopping Bags
While many retailers have reduced their dependency on plastic shopping bags, there is still room for improvement. A re-usable plastic shopping bag, or better still a biodegradable jute bag, is a much better option.

9. Replace your Light Bulbs
Choose energy-saving light bulbs, as these will outlive the disposable kind several times over, and reduce demand on the grid while you light your home. The same rule applies to most household appliances- replace older items for newer ones with a better energy rating.
10. Buy a Slow Cooker
Cooking in an oven consumes a huge amount of electricity. Slow cookers work much more efficiently, heating food slowly throughout the day and can produce some spectacular results. It’s also a great opportunity to put in some left-over food or cheaper cuts of meat.


Author Bio: Geoffery is a keen financial savings writer, blogging part time on behalf of savings & investment comparison site fairinvestment.co.uk – high interest savings accounts provider, connecting the consumers with market leading financial knowledge.


---
go ahead share your thoughts with me now, my ears are open. I'm always eager to hear what you think.

follow me on Twitter and facebook

---

---