I am actually paying less the more green I live (which started about two years ago). Let me explain:
1. I turned my thermostat down four degrees, that saves energy and money
2. I joined the Compact (1) which is all about not buying anything new... this has saved me a lot of money!
3. I joined Freecycle (2) and started getting things I needed used from local community members.
4. I stopped paying for yard waste removal and made a compost pile. Savings: $17.00 a month
5. I started using a reusable water bottle, saving about $3.00 a day
6. I've always had a garden, but I started a container garden too, expanding my veggies to broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce and onions.
7. Stopped taking my SUV out and about for errands, out on the towns, and started using my commuter car that I used to only drive to work. (This is saving me a lot of cash right now).
8. Started using reusable bags at the store... my grocery store gives a $.25 credit if you use their "branded" canvas bag or $.05 credit for any other reusable bag.
9. Switched all of my bulbs to CFL's - a total of 37- except for my three way bulbs.
10. Cost of recycling with my waste removal company? Free.
However, I have not purchased any carbon credits yet...
2007-05-18 11:42:03
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answer #1
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answered by Legomanyacts 3
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I'm doing what I can, but I cannot afford to do it all at once. I spent the extra money when it was time to get a new washer and dryer to get energy efficient ones, I use cold water detergent, I cant use a clothes line because the home owners association doesnt allow them. I do all I can to lower electricity use, and will be investing in UV reflective strips to go on my windows, which should help ALOT.
There are alot of things I cant afford right now though. I live in the middle of nowhere with a baby, so taking a bike or walking is out of the question. Organic food here costs an arm and a leg, so its more of a 'special treat' except during the summer months, when I can go to a farmers market. I'm not replacing all working bulbs, but as they die I'll put in the energy efficiant ones.
If I had the money, I would spend it to change everything right now. For the moment, I just do what I can.
2007-05-18 20:21:52
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answer #2
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answered by khaozkitten 3
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I live a green lifestyle and it is really not expensive. Sure, it costs ten bucks for a half gallon of Bio-kleen laundry detergent but that bottle lasts me nine months! Also, its a matter sometimes of just making a change. I know people who complain that organic produce cost too much so they won't pay 89 cents per pound for organic fair trade bananas but they 'll pay $3.49 for ten ounces of lays potatoe chips.??? Even on the occasion when the price is higheryou can reduce what you use. And as for the cheap and environmentally damaging things of this world, they do come at a very high cost: loss of biodiversity and habitat, global warming, diminished quality of life for all species, opression.It's worth it to know what you have to pay up front and go green! Also, i am a single mother who is a self employed fiber artist. We survive on very little income so if we can do it most anyone in america can.
2007-05-18 20:58:01
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answer #3
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answered by freemonkey 1
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To be honest, it really isn't costing me much more to 'go green'. As a matter of fact it has cut down on some costs. I don't buy paper towels...that's a couple of bucks saved. When I shop I take my own bags, that's a few cents saved and some trees saved...For my personal products I shop with a company which makes non-toxics and they are concentrated so I save there...I know bleach might can cost only .99 but if you were to not drink a $5 cup of fancy java for one day you could afford to buy a bottle of safer non-toxic cleaner. My health, my kids health and the longevity of my earth is important to me! We still have to brush our teeth, wash our clothes, and mop the floors...it's all about our choices and priorities. You can afford what you want, too!
2007-05-18 11:49:02
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answer #4
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answered by alcoserfamily 2
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Of course! What good is a bunch of green papers with pictures of dead presidents on them if you don't have pure water to drink, clean air to breathe, a healthy food supply, natural resources to use for clothing, shelter, etc?? All the money in the world won't buy us another planet.
My wife and I have been buying organic/free range/non-GMO foods for some time now. I installed a "solar clothes dryer" (a clothesline, ha ha) in the yard, installed compact fluorescent bulbs, and am talking to the landlord about installing low-flow shower heads (don't know if he's gonna go for it). Also, we've written to our elected officials and told them how important of an issue this is...whether or not they listen is another question entirely, but at least we tried.
Here's a great website with hints on going green, as well as tips for reducing consumerism and living more simply:
http://www.newdream.org
.
2007-05-18 13:12:13
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answer #5
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answered by The Man In The Box 6
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Absolutely! But the best part is that "going green" can often save you money! Most people don't realize this. There's a new thing called a smart strip, it's a surge protector that saves electricity. I love it. Also, I wash clothes only in cold water, using cold water detergent that costs a bit more, but I save in natural gas costs. There are tons of ways to go green without spending more money :)
2007-05-18 11:58:15
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answer #6
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answered by miasayswhat 2
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with gasoline at $3.20 for regular today, maybe i'm paying more for not going green!
industry will not do it unless consumers force them to by not purchasing wasteful products. if you continue to purchase gasoline even as the price rises, what is the reason for gas companies to lower prices or invest in anything else?
it's supply and demand.
if you will buy a car that gets 8 miles per gallon, car-makers will continue to make them. when hummers sit on car lots for month after month and can't be sold, they'll stop being made since idle inventory does not produce any profit.
as far as paying more to support sustainable energy, agriculture or transportation, the more it is supported the less it will cost to produce it.
you have to decide what sort of future you want to support with your spendable income - a fossil fuel future of increasing cost artificially held down by government subsidies, or a sustainable and renewable future that continues to get more efficient and less expensive.
it's called 'voting with your dollars', but you have to stop talking about it and do it.
and, yes, i practice what i'm preaching here and have for some time.
2007-05-18 10:43:49
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answer #7
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answered by Basta Ya 3
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Yes!! There can be no price too great to save this beautiful earth we call home!! If we cut here and there so that we can afford a greener lifestyle we should- we are not doing it for ourselves, but for our kids and their kids. Keeping the earth green in the greatest investment anyone can make.
2007-05-19 03:41:34
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answer #8
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answered by Belle 1
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I really really want to , but as camp said , i can not afford it. Since this is the case, i do what i can to preserve and recycle. I cut back and do all i can to make this world a better place.
2007-05-19 03:30:00
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answer #9
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answered by big_red31331 4
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i have changed my electric supply to good energy which is 100% renewable this is costing me 5 pounds a month more
2007-05-18 10:18:09
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answer #10
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answered by Anonymous
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