Follow tips to go green inexpensively

Going green can save money if we do it right. You can do it without spending a penny. Here are five simple ways -- all free -- to save you money.


Stop buying water

Ditching plastic bottles of water and using reusable containers will save big bucks in the long run. But there are other situations where we pay for water without realizing it. Opting to buy concentrated juices is a cheaper alternative to buying many jugs of juice. You'll save about a nickel on ounce. And, instead of using expensive irrigation systems in your yard, rain barrels or other collection devices will do the work for free.


Sell the small stuff

Do you have gadgets and electronics collecting dust around your home? They are valuable even if they don't work. Many major retailers now accept old electronics and will give you a store gift card in return. And, many online sites will pay to have you ship them your stuff and you'll get a check after they receive it. These items get resold or recycled for metal. Check for a list of resources. Also, consider taking gently worn clothing, sporting equipment and even children's gear to consignment shops to earn a few dollars.


Refuse to waste gas

No one likes what it costs to fill up our cars at the gas station. To maximize your fuel efficiency and lower toxic emissions, make sure to keep your tires properly inflated, avoid aggressive driving where you accelerate and brake frequently, use cruise control on flat terrain, avoid driving around with extra weight, and keep up with routine maintenance. Another smart idea is to turn the engine off when you'll be idling for more than 30 seconds in places such as carpool lines.


Put an end to paper towels

What's worse than throwing out barely used paper towels? Spending all that money on them. The cheapest paper towels on the market are about a dollar per roll. If you go through two rolls a week, that's more than $200 a year. Save that money and keep dish towels and rags handy. It's much more eco-friendly to launder them than it is to keep buying one-use paper towels.


Lighten your laundry's load

Get this, up to 85 percent of the energy used to wash clothes comes from heating up the water. When you switch to cold water you'll see instant energy savings and your clothes will still get clean.


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