Top 10 Ways To Save Money By Going Green

High prices got you down? The politicians can talk all the want but the truth of the matter is that prices are rising faster than paychecks can keep up. The good news is that you can save tons of money each month on your energy bills, water bills, trash bills, and even your shopping bills, by making choices that protect the environment. Here are the top 10 ways to save money by going green:

1. Don't Drive: If the environmental benefits of ditching your car don't convince you, the financial perks surely will. With gas prices at an all time high, you'll save a fortune by carpooling, walking, biking, or taking public transportation whenever possible.

2. Wait A Day: One of the very best things you can do for the environment is to buy less stuff. So use the 24-Hour rule the next time your at the store: if you see something you like, wait 24 hours before you buy it. Nine times out of ten, you will have forgotten all about it before you even get home!

3. DIY for a Green Clean: Steer clear of toxic cleaning agents that cost a bundle and are harmful for your family and the environment. Natural ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice will get your whole house sparkling and germ-free for pennies.

4. Be A Label Lover: Manufacturers are trying to cash in on the green movement by "greenwashing" their products to appear green. Don't waste your money on this overpriced junk, but don't give up on buying green either. Click here to learn which green labels to look for at the store.

5. Control Your Temp: Adjust your thermostat by a measly three degrees and open a window (or throw on a sweater in cold weather) instead to save a fortune on your annual energy bill.

6. See The Light: Lighting accounts for 20% of your home's annual energy bill. Control these costs by installing energy-efficient bulbs and turning off the lights whenever you leave a room.

7. Block Leaks: Stop throwing money out the window by making sure that windows (and doors) are insulated and weather-proofed to further reduce the energy required to heat and cool your home.

8. B.Y.O.B: Disposable water bottles are planet-trashing, money wasting junk. Why spend your hard earned dollars on water when you can fill up a reusable bottle of filtered tap water for free?

9. Buy in Bulk: Save money at the store by purchasing items in the largest size possible. Go in with friends and co-workers to defray the costs even further.

10. Take A Shorter Shower: You pay for the water in your shower three times...to buy it, to heat it, and to take it away. Shave a few minutes off your shower each day and do your thinking, singing, or dreaming elsewhere. You'll help conserve water while keeping your money from going down the drain.