Hydroponic Greenhouse Vegetable Farmer Sustainable Agriculture Jirapong Manustrong Shutterstock

21 Ways to Go Green While Saving More Green

Today, going green is a lifestyle. From the sun-drenched roofs of solar enthusiasts to the lush gardens of urban composters, these eco-friendly practices promise to save the planet and fatten your wallet, too.

Harness the Sun

Renewable Energy Solar Technician Engineer PeopleImages.com Yuri A Shutterstock
image credit: PeopleImages.com Yuri A/Shutterstock

Solar panels are a smart investment in a sustainable future. Installing solar panels on your roof can drastically reduce your electricity bills and sometimes even earn you money by selling excess power back to the grid. They’re a silent guardian, harnessing the sun’s power, even on cloudy days. Over time, they pay for themselves.

Rainwater Harvesting Systems

Woman Smile Happy Rain Coat gpointstudio shutterstock
image credit: gpointstudio/shutterstock

Collecting rainwater is an age-old practice with modern appeal. By setting up a rainwater harvesting system, you can capture nature’s bounty to water your garden, flush toilets, and even wash your car. This simple system reduces your water bill and lessens the strain on municipal water sources. Every drop you collect is a small victory for both your garden and the environment.

Eco-Friendly Insulation

Woman Child Parenting Blanket Decor Cozy Yuganov Konstantin Shutterstock
image credit: Yuganov-Konstantin/Shutterstock

Keeping your home cozy doesn’t have to cost the earth. Eco-friendly insulation materials, such as sheep’s wool or recycled denim, keep your home warm in winter and cool in summer, reduce the need for heating and cooling, and use materials that might otherwise end up in landfills. It’s a wrap of comfort around your home that’s both green and cost-effective.

LED Lighting Revolution

Woman young reading home couch dog hobby cozy evrymmnt Shutterstock
image credit: evrymmnt/Shutterstock

Switching to LED lights is like turning on the bright idea of energy efficiency. These bulbs use a fraction of the electricity, last longer than traditional bulbs, and come in a variety of styles and colors. They shine a light on savings, both in energy consumption and in reducing the need for frequent replacements.

Plant-Based Diet Days

Male Cooking Chef Home LightField Studios Shutterstock
Image Credit: LightField Studios/Shutterstock

Introducing plant-based meals into your weekly routine is good for your health and kinder to the planet. Livestock farming is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, so cutting down on meat consumption can have a big impact. Even one or two plant-based days a week can lead to significant savings on grocery bills.

Composting Kitchen Scraps

composting kitchen biodegradable waste eco environment Halfpoint Shutterstock
image credit: Halfpoint/Shutterstock

Turn your kitchen waste into garden gold by starting a compost bin. Composting enriches the soil, reduces the need for chemical fertilizers, and cuts down on methane emissions from landfills. It’s a small step that contributes to a healthier garden and a cleaner planet. Plus, watching your scraps transform into nutrient-rich soil is a rewarding experience.

Green Cleaning Products

Clean Windows Disinfect House VGstockstudio Shutterstock
image credit: VGstockstudio/Shutterstock

Ditch the chemicals and embrace green cleaning. Natural cleaning products made from ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and lemon are effective and safe for your family and pets. They reduce the release of harmful chemicals into the environment and often come in sustainable packaging.

Bike to Work

Woman Electric Bike Bicycle ebike Halfpoint Shutterstock
image credit: Halfpoint/Shutterstock

Pedal power is great for your wallet and the environment. Cycling to work reduces traffic congestion, lowers your carbon footprint, and gives you a daily dose of exercise. It’s a simple shift in your routine that can lead to significant savings on transportation costs.

Home Energy Audit

Letter bill taxes financial stress male Ground Picture Shutterstock
image credit: Ground Picture/Shutterstock

A home energy audit is like a health check-up for your house. It identifies areas where energy is being wasted and provides solutions to fix them. Sealing leaks, updating appliances, and improving insulation can lead to substantial savings on energy bills. It’s an upfront investment that pays dividends in comfort, savings, and sustainability.

Low-Flow Water Fixtures

Woman shower bathing clean self care Yuganov Konstantin Shutterstock
image credit: Yuganov-Konstantin/Shutterstock

Installing low-flow faucets, showerheads, and toilets can make a big splash in reducing your water usage. These fixtures deliver the water you need with less waste, reducing utility bills and conserving precious water resources.

Sustainable Gardening

Read book Balcony Urban Garden Anna Nahabed Shutterstock
image credit: Anna Nahabed/Shutterstock

Embrace the wild by creating a garden that supports local flora and fauna. Using native plants reduces the need for water, fertilizers, and pesticides, making your garden a haven for wildlife and a showcase of natural beauty.

Buy Second-Hand

Woman Fashion Clothes Store Shop Thrift Dragon Images Shutterstock
image credit: Dragon Images/Shutterstock

Second-hand is a smart way to save money and reduce waste. Thrift stores, garage sales, and online marketplaces are treasure troves of gently used items, from clothes to furniture. Giving these items a second life saves money and reduces demand for new products and the resources needed to make them.

Digital Document Management

Happy hipster social media phone coffee GaudiLab Shutterstock
image credit: GaudiLab/Shutterstock

Going paperless isn’t just for the office. Managing your documents digitally reduces the need for paper, saving trees and reducing clutter. Online billing, digital subscriptions, and cloud storage can streamline your life and reduce your environmental footprint. It’s a modern approach to organization that’s clean and green.

Smart Thermostats

Smart home technology thermostat security PeopleImages.com Yuri A Shutterstock
image credit: PeopleImages.com Yuri A/Shutterstock

A smart thermostat is like having a personal energy assistant. It learns your schedule and adjusts the temperature accordingly, ensuring you’re not heating or cooling an empty house. The savings on your energy bill can be significant, and the convenience of remote control is a modern luxury.

Reusable Containers

Woman Mother Child Parenting Cooking Baking Kitchen Family Evgeny Atamanenko Shutterstock
image credit: Evgeny-Atamanenko/Shutterstock

Say goodbye to single-use plastics by embracing reusable containers. From water bottles to shopping bags, making the switch is a simple step that can significantly reduce your plastic footprint. It’s a small change in habit with a big impact on reducing waste and saving money in the long run. Plus, many stores now offer discounts for bringing your own containers.

Energy-Efficient Appliances

Laundry Cleaning Appliances Washing Machine Clothes Dean Drobot Shutterstock
image credit: Dean Drobot/Shutterstock

When it’s time to upgrade, choose energy-efficient appliances. Look for the Energy Star label to ensure your investment uses less electricity and water. These appliances may cost more upfront, but the savings on utility bills over their lifetime make them a smart investment for your home and the planet. It’s a smooth blend of modern convenience and environmental responsibility.

Public Transportation and Carpooling

Leather Jacket Public Transportation Phone LightField Studios Shutterstock
image credit: LightField Studios/Shutterstock

Embracing shared transportation can dramatically reduce your carbon footprint. Whether it’s a bus, train, or carpool, traveling together saves fuel and cuts emissions. It’s also an opportunity to save on parking and maintenance costs, making it a wise choice for your wallet and the world.

Green Roofing and Walls

Vertical Garden Wall Plants Kostikova Natalia Shutterstock
image credit: Kostikova Natalia/Shutterstock

Green your home from the top down with a green roof or living wall. These living installations provide insulation, reduce stormwater runoff, and improve air quality. They also create habitats for birds and insects, adding a touch of nature to urban environments. It’s an investment in a cooler, cleaner home, and a greener planet.

Minimize Food Waste

Woman Kitchen Cooking Eggs Breakfast Drazen Zigic Shutterstock
image credit: Drazen Zigic/Shutterstock

Being mindful of food consumption can have a big impact. Planning meals, storing food properly, and using leftovers can dramatically reduce the amount of food that goes to waste, which saves money on groceries and reduces the environmental impact associated with food production and landfills. It’s a thoughtful approach to eating that values every bite.

Eco-Friendly Fashion

Fashion purse handbag sunglasses headband Victoria Chudinova Shutterstock
image credit: Victoria Chudinova/Shutterstock

Fashion doesn’t have to be fast. Choosing quality over quantity, supporting sustainable brands, and repairing rather than discarding clothes can extend the life of your wardrobe and reduce your environmental impact. It’s a style statement that says you care about the planet as much as your appearance. Plus, timeless pieces never go out of fashion.

Water-Saving Landscaping

gardener gardening landscape lawn jobs
image credit: virrage-images/shutterstock

 

Drought-resistant landscaping, or xeriscaping, can turn your garden into a low-water oasis. Choosing plants that thrive in your local climate can save water, reduce maintenance, and create a stunning landscape supporting local ecosystems. It’s an earth-friendly approach to gardening that’s both beautiful and beneficial.

Josh Dudick

Josh is a financial expert with over 15 years of experience on Wall Street as a senior market strategist and trader. His career has spanned from working on the New York Stock Exchange floor to investment management and portfolio trading at Citibank, Chicago Trading Company, and Flow Traders.

Josh graduated from Cornell University with a degree from the Dyson School of Applied Economics & Management at the SC Johnson College of Business. He has held multiple professional licenses during his career, including FINRA Series 3, 7, 24, 55, Nasdaq OMX, Xetra & Eurex (German), and SIX (Swiss) trading licenses. Josh served as a senior trader and strategist, business partner, and head of futures in his former roles on Wall Street.

Josh's work and authoritative advice have appeared in major publications like Nasdaq, Forbes, The Sun, Yahoo! Finance, CBS News, Fortune, The Street, MSN Money, and Go Banking Rates. Josh currently holds areas of expertise in investing, wealth management, capital markets, taxes, real estate, cryptocurrencies, and personal finance.

Josh currently runs a wealth management business and investment firm. Additionally, he is the founder and CEO of Top Dollar, where he teaches others how to build 6-figure passive income with smart money strategies that he uses professionally.