Most everyone knows that it's really cool to be "green" and eco-friendly now.

Why? Why, all of a sudden, is everyone into going green?

Well, though I'd really like to say everyone all of a sudden believes in global warming and wants to save Mother Earth by recycling, reducing and re-using, I think there's more to it. I honestly think the largest and more important reason behind all of this "green-ness" is that going green CAN save you money.

Let's start with the high money savers -- hybrid and electric cars. WHOA! There's a serious money saver. Even my little car (a Kia, thank you) which gets reasonably good MPG, is uber-jealous of these suckers! My 35 - 40 MPG looks like a gas guzzlers when compared to the 60+ MPG some of these get.

Can you even begin to imagine the savings? Let's see, I spend approximately $30 a week in gas. So, if I got twice the MPG, I'd spend $15 a week, a savings of $60 a month or $720 a year. WOW! Yeah, that'd be nice. Of course, that's just with gas prices at what they are now. Think about the savings that will happen as gas prices go higher?

Okay, the problem with these options of saving money is you've got to spend money to save it... and not many of us have that money to spend.

So, let's think about some easier (cheaper) ways to save money and in turn help save the Earth.

You can buy compact fluorescent bulbs. Yes, they can be a pain. They have to be disposed of in a certain way. They take a second or two to come on. They aren't fully bright for a minute or two.

Man... what a pain! But, the upside and the savings are well worth it! Now, let me tell you, I'm cheap! I like my money and I don't like to spend it. Until last year, I ALWAYS bought cheap lightbulbs. The cheapest I could find. I never bought into the "lasts longer" or "soft light" or anything. I bought the straight from the el-cheapo dollar store $1 for a 4 pack light bulbs.

So, how'd I go from el-cheapo to these suckers that can cost more than $2 a bulb? It started with a coupon for a free pack -- Told you I was cheap!

I got a free four pack and decided to put them in the places I use lights the most and see what happens.

My electric bill came in almost $30 cheaper the next month. WHOA! Nah, couldn't be the light bulbs. Yet, the next month it was still down. HMM. Maybe there's something to it. So, I plunked down for another two packs and placed them in the other lights I used the most. After all, by now I had saved enough money to cover the cost of two or three packs (or more!)

Long story short(er), within six months, my electric bill was down almost $70 a month and I had replaced almost all of the bulbs. After the six months, I realized that in that time, I would have replaced the bulbs with cheap-o light bulbs quite a few times as well. HMM. Which means I have saved enough money by not buying cheap light bulbs to cover the cost of these new ones. Not counting the money I'd saved with the electric.

Oh, and it's been more than a year and I haven't replaced one compact fluorescent yet! I've saved money, I'm continually saving money AND I'm helping the earth by using less energy (and less waste from the packaging and waste of el-cheapo light bulbs.

While we're on the subject of light -- let Mother Nature do her job better in your house as well. Use your curtains wisely. Invest in some heavy drapes (I know, I'm asking you to spend money again.) But get those curtains that have two sets, a sheer set and a heavy set.

Now, in the winter, when you want to warm your house, throw open the heavy drapes and let the sun shine in. (Hey, isn't that a song lyric?) When the sun goes down, close them up so you keep the heat in. Better yet, use those shrink wrap insulation kits. In the summer, let the sun shine in when it's not too warm, close them when it's hot. That way, you are letting light in, but not the warm air.

Ok, so now we're pretty jazzed about saving money and saving the earth. What else can we do?

Well, for starters, look around and see what you can "re-use". I'm not talking about recycling at this point, but think of things you can re-use as something else when you might have otherwise just thrown it away?

One of my favorite is dust clothes. Okay, many people love the terry cloths or the special-for-dusting cloths... yeah, whatever... did I mention I'm cheap?

Okay, show of hands, who has an orphan sock? Yeah, you know what I'm talking about. The sock went into the washer with a partner and came out alone. Every house has one, it happens. What do you do with them? If you are like most people, you hang onto them for a little while, hoping against hope that the mate will show up (yeah, we're pathetic) or that perhaps some other lonely sock will show up that looks like our first loner. Never happens!

How about we use those socks to dust? Their actually wonderful to use, especially for dusting crevices (just slip 'em on and go) or plants (silk and real). When they are dirty, just wash again. Of course, keep them away from the socks with mates, because otherwise you might have a mutiny on your hands... where would you rather be -- on people's stinky feet all day long or sitting waiting to be used for 10 minutes every few days? Yeah, next thing you know you won't be able to find ANY socks!

The wonderful thing about using socks is, once you start, you find all sorts of other uses for them. Need to wash baby socks? Put them in a big sock and tie it off... no more missing baby socks! Need to get to those baseboards? Socks are great for that. Have intricate wrought iron somewhere? They slip in and out easy-peasy, on or off hands. Next thing you know, you'll be wearing a pair on your feet while you "foot-scrub" the floor and a pair on your hands to dust baseboards and knick-knacks. Saving money, saving the earth, one tube sock at a time!

Wow, saving money is fun! Saving the Earth is too!

What else can we do?

Another way that requires us to purchase now to save later is a smart power strip. You're reading this on a 'puter, right? More than likely that computer (and monitor and printer) is attached to a power strip and/or surge protector. (You are so smart!); however, can you do it one better? Yep! And save money too!

We've all heard it.. devices that stay in "low power" states still use A LOT of energy. It's true. But if your computer plug behind your desk or your tv plug is behind the entertainment center how often are you really going to unplug them?

Can you say NEVER?

It's got to be easy-peasy for us, or we aren't going to do it... not even if it means saving us money or saving the earth!

So, what do we do? We get a smart power strip. Quite simply, it's a power strip that can tell when something is being used or just using power. When it's just using power, down that puppy goes! YEAH! Easy-peasy! They are a little expensive, but not much more than a regular ol' power strip. So, buy a smart one, see the savings on your electric bill and sell the old one at a yard sale to recoup some cash.

Woo-Hoo! We're rolling now! What else can we do?

Got a question for ya? Are you covered in pink fuzzy stuff? Well, not you, but your house. How insulated is your house? Take a look at your crawl space or attic. What's that insulation looking like? Chances are, it needs to be replaced. The bad news is, it does cost money. The good news is, it's already costing you money.

What's that? How's that good news? If you replace it, you won't lose that money any more silly! Insulation leaks (plus those around windows and doors) are real energy hogs. I swear there is something inside your walls whispering to your heat and cool air, "Hey, come here, check this out!" and out they go... So, have someone come by and check it out. Usually the estimates are free. They'll let you know where the energy is really escaping. Fix those leaks up, nice and tight and you will be really surprised at your energy savings.

While you are at it, use those kits in the winter for your windows. And replace the caulk and weather stripping too.

And if your house is all nice and toasty, what about your water heater? Analogy: If you boil some water and then turn off the stove, is it going to stay hotter if it's covered or uncovered? I'll wait while you go check it out.

It stays hotter when it's covered. Wow! Surprise, surprise. So, now that you have this in mind, go get a nice blanket for your hot water heater. Same concept ya know.

What about your appliances? How energy efficient are they? Now, this is also a big money spend now, save later item. BUT, when you are need of replacing appliances, or they are using more energy than they are worth, go invest in some nice, new energy efficient appliances. Plus, they are so cool looking.

If you are not going to replace them anytime soon ('cause that's really expensive and with gas prices, who has that kind of dough?) Make sure you are using them wisely. Defrost them when they need it, fill them up to use them, keep fridges and freezers nice and clean.

Another purchase now/save later (yeah, I know, but they WORK!) is a programmable thermostat. This is one I went with YEARS ago. Not 'cause it was cool to be green or anything, but because I'm cheap (SHH)! Years ago we needed a new thermostat. Don't remember what happened, but we needed one. So, we went looking at new ones. The regular ones were not very expensive. BUT there was a programmable one for about twice the money. Hmm. Normally, that'd be a no brainer. However, at that time I was tired of stifling at night during the winter. Or freezing in the summer. So, while I really like saving money, I really hate being uncomfortable while I sleep.

So, what I bit the bullet and bought it. Took a little bit to figure it out. BUT once I did, WOW what happened? I'm not freezing/stifling... and look at that a lower electric bill. WOW.. we saved A LOT of money. I don't remember exactly what the savings was (it was a while ago) but I do know that we saved more than what we paid for the thermostat in a month! Yep, worth every el-cheapo penny!

What else can we do? I'm liking saving money, how 'bout you?

Well, there will always be stuff we have to buy. Yeah, there are gifts (even cheap ones) and necessities that we must buy. How to do that and save the earth and money? Well, with gas prices being what they are, shopping online is getting hotter and hotter! Yeah, there's always places you can buy gifts. Personally, I do a lot of holiday shopping online because I hate the malls! But now, in many place, you can even purchase groceries online. WOW! How cool is that?

Okay, it's not available everywhere, but for those who have it (Not me, I love in the boonies!) it's easy-peasy and saves money. Not only does it save money on gas, guess what else? You know how you go to the store for bread and leave with a $100 grocery bill? Or you go to the department store for a new AC filter and you leave after charging for a few new outfits and shoes to mach? Yep, impulse buys. Happens to cheapest... er, best... of us. But all is not lost. Shop online and there's nothing else to tempt that says, "Please buy me and take me home."

Oh, and while you're at it, pay some bills online too. And when you do, click that little box that says "paperless" .. yeah, save a tree, save some stamp money (jeesh, they keep going up too!), save time and gas going here and there!

Once again, simple and easy-peasy! We like easy-peasy huh?

Lastly, everyone knows that paper or plastic is really not an option anymore. Matter of fact, some places are now charging if you don't bring your own... this is a new "fad" that has always been around at warehouse type food markets. So, yeah, save the plastic bags to reuse and recycle, but try to avoid getting them in the first place. Below are some cute ones, with Earth friendly designs to boot!

You're buying online to save gas money AND impulse purchases!

Now just don't forget them in the car when you shop!

Hi Hi! Back with more tips!

Okay, so, by now you've got a hankering for even more ways to save money while you help protect the Earth.

Next tip-- Stop using plastic water bottles! First of all, everyone loves water from a bottle. I'm not sure why, most taste the same anyway. Get a *good* reusable water bottle (aluminum is nice) and a water filter. There are all kinds of water filters now in many price ranges. You can get a full house system with the nifty little "drinking water" tap or the cheap pitcher jobbies. Either way, it's better for the environment and just as good as the bottled stuff.

**Side note** Some people have really yucky water. If this is the case, and now amount of filtering is going to make your water okay, then buy the big jugs or a refillable cooler and use those instead of the tap.

Those 20 oz bottles of water are $1.50 or so. For water... CRAZY! Plus they are filling up the landfills like crazy. So, get a waterfilter (or cooler) and a reusable water bottle and viola. You can still use those single serving flavors too.

*Handy tip* Buy two water bottles, so you can use one/wash one. Easy-peasy!

Okay, now there are some really go-green ways to reduce the cost of cleaners. However, I don't have the time (or energy) to make all of my own. However, I will say this: Learn what vinegar and baking soda can do and use them. They are better for the environment and WAY cheaper.

However, for the products you do still buy, buy them in bulk and concentrated formulas. The chemicals are still there, but the plastic is less and that DOES help. Plus you are using less and buying in bulk which is saving you moola!

Last tip (for now) -- stop throwing away all that paper. How many paper towels, paper napkins and just plain paper do you throw away on a regular basis?

Step one: Buy a pretty basket and a bunch of plain old dishtowels. Buy them from the $ store (I like multi colors, but you get what you want).

Step two: Buy two or three sets of cloth napkins. While you're at it, pick up some shower curtain rings.

Step three: Make the shower curtain rings into pretty napkin rings (or you could just buy them, but I'm thinking CHEAP) with paint, beads, you name it.

Step four: STOP buying paper towels and napkins!

Step five: Get another basket to keep for scrap paper. As a math teacher, I always have this handy, but sometimes we forget at home to do things like this. There is no reason to waste a whole piece of paper for a simple phone number! Use that scratch paper up and save the extra for next time.

There you go. Some more ways to save money and Mama Earth. After all:

Treat the Earth well.
It was not given to you by your parents,
it was loaned to you by your children.

Kenyan proverb

Beautiful isn't it?