With the recession being officially “over” many people still want to save money and make sure they are financially ready if something were to happen again.  Many others would like to save money for increased security later in life, or to make that dream vacation become a reality.   Others are interested in saving the earth because they are worried about the damage being done, and want to pass on a functioning globe to children and grandchildren.  I’ve decided to get a list of tips together to help you in your sustainability quest.  These things are all fairly easy to do, wont cost much or take much time than you would normally spend on the task.  They are the “Low Hanging Fruit” of your quest for a greener life, leaner body and a more financially fit you.

Totally Jacked Debt Ninja's Style, but Oh well.

• Go Green – Many merchants  are charged fees to run debit or credit transactions, which is no secret to anyone (or at least it shouldnt be).  Many also pass the fees straight on to the consumer, and some merchants will give you a small discount (1-3%) if paying with cash.  Good for: Financial Sustainability
• Can the throwaway goods – Many products used frequently around the home are made to throw away.  They typically are cheaper (up front cost only) than their ‘real’ counterparts (plates, napkins), but when counting life cycle cost (landfills, trees) they are more expensive.  Make the switch to cloth napkins, cloth rags (instead of paper towels) and real plates.  Good for: Financial Sustainability, Environmental Sustainability
• Save USEFUL Stuff – Make sure that the useful applies here.  I know a lot of people (myself occasionally included) who save many things that just end up becoming useless clutter that was thought to have some future value at some point in the past.  You have to ask yourself when you’re looking at it “Am I really going to use this later, or am I saving it just to save it?”  Some things will come in useful in the future, but most wont…..how long are you willing to save stuff for?  Also, if you’re saving the useful stuff, that’s less stuff in the landfill.  Good for: Sanity, Environment
• Buy Quality – I wrote about this earlier when I talked about the saucepan.  Yes, it was more expensive initially, but over the long run it will be cheaper.  This goes for not only saucepans, but power tools as well.  People dont say “You get what you pay for” for no reason.  Good for: Environmental Sustainability, Financial Sustainability (in the long term)
• Think About Tomorrow and Next Year – You know you will wake up every morning and want a cup of coffee, and there’s nothing wrong with that.  But keep in mind the amount that you drink can produce alot of waste, and even more son when you consider the yearly effect.  If you drink coffee from your favorite coffee house on the go and take one of their disposable cups every time, that’s 330+ cups headed straight for the garbage when you’re done.  If you consider your habits similar to that of others (with coffee, not difficult) then you’ll end up with an astonishing waste stream every year.  Also, for you lazy people out there, buying a reusable travel mug will mean less stuff goes in the garbage, and the less stuff that goes in, the less you have to take it out.   Good for: Financial Sustainability, Environmental Sustainabity
• Walk It Out – How often do you find yourself driving a short distance?  Does it ever annoy you that you are getting in the car because you have something you need to pick up that requires a vehicle, and you need to drive the 7 blocks to get it?   Odds are, you dont NEED to drive to the park down the block or to the neighborhood pool.  You may think you need to because of all of the stuff you’re taking, but how many things do you really need to go to the pool?  A bathing suit & towel, and your clothing you came in with.  Not many.  Next time, walk a little.  Take the walk to chat with people important to you about things you enjoy.  You’re helping the environment and your health at the same time.  You’ve also insulated yourself (partially) from potential gas price spikes similar to the ones during the summer of 2007.  Good for: Environment, Your Health, Finances
• Do It Yourself - I once had a bookshelf that was of poor quality and after dealing with it lurching to one side for the better part of 2 years, I finally began to look to replace it.  I could have just gone and bought one from my local discount merchant and found myself in a similar situation down the road, but instead I decided to take my limited tools (drill & a circular saw) and go it alone.  I liked my old bookshelf and the size, so I simply measured its dimensions and built mine exactly the same.  It works great, and I got that good feeling that you get after fixing or building something.  Also, I know that it wont go directly in the garbage in 2 years.  Good for: Environment, Mental Health, Finances
• Go Paperless - These days, many of your monthly bills can come to you by email, you can pay them online and be done with the whole thing.  That saves the company postage (who cares, right), saves you postage (whoohooo!) and gives a bit of a hand to the environment.  Plus, it’s alot easier than writing a check of paying by phone.  It’s typically free as well.  One word of caution: Dont set up your bills on auto-withdraw.  If they go up, you wont know until it’s far too late to change it.  Good for: Environment, Finances
• Stop Wasting – This applies to everything.  Think about the things that you’re throwing away and if they can be used again in another way or recycled.  One of the great things wasted is food.  Estimates say that about 13% of our trash comes from food, which can easily be composted into useful soil for house plants or maybe your garden.  It’s not that hard to do, and contrary to popular belief, you dont need that much space.  Good for: Environment, Finances, Health
• Gardening – You may live in an area with marginal soil, but you can still have your own garden.  Save your compostable goods for a while and use your own dirt to get yourself started.  Plant whatever you think will grow well in your area, but make sure you’re willing to eat it!  It can save you a bit of money and is a great spot for your freshly composted soil.  It can teach children important lessons on nature, self reliance and how to garden.  Many also enjoy gardening for the mental break that it provides the gardener.  You may not make enough money to cover the time you invested, but who cares?  Gardening can be fun, too.  Good for:Finances, Mental Health
• Do What Works – All of your friends have great ideas on how to do things.  Maybe one of your friends lost like 125937 pounds on the South Beach Diet and wants you to give it a try.   If it does work, great, if not, just stop doing it.  Wasting your time doing something that doesnt work is one more day wasted doing something that’s not working (and if it wasnt working, I sure as HELL wouldnt like it) is one less day you can spend doing stuff you DO like that DOES work.  Good for:Health
• Dont Look a Gift Horse in the Mouth - Alot of people dont take free money.  Now I know you’re thinking “who wouldnt take free money”.  Are you signed up for your company’s 401(k) plan?  If not, you’re losing an immediate 100% return on a portion of your investment.  If you put in 500 per month, and your employer matches 500 per month, you’ve just gained $500.  If you contribute 0, then you have gained $0.  I dont want to stare that kind of return right in the face.  Good for: Finance, Environment
• Shop at farmers markets – Typically farmers markets are cheaper than your local chain grocer, and offer fresher foods.  Who can beat something that was picked less than 24 hours ago, right?  It’s also nice to get to know more farmers in your community, and have a chat with them about their land, how they grow, what they grow and who they grow for.  Although farming is typically a solitary job, farmers love talking to people about their work.  Cutting out a middle man (such as kroger) will keep money in your community instead of sending it to Cincinnati, Ohio.  Good for: Environment, Finance, Health
• Get it yourself – Im talking strictly about food here.  Some communities have community gardens in public spaces that are available for farming.  Growing a small amount of food in one of these (if you dont have room for a garden) is also a great option.  Going out and getting the food yourself also means hunting or fishing.  You dont need to be an ace fisherman to catch dinner, you just need to fish at the right time.  I suggest the early morning.  Fish in the rivers (or lakes) have most likely not been harmed by pollutants or injected with “added color” (whatever that means).  Keeping additives out of your fish and out of your system can lead you to a healthy life.  Getting out of your day-to-day routine will also help you clear your head and can improve your mental health.  Go experience nature, and take dinner home! Good for: Environment, Mental Health, Finance

Many of the solutions I offered are broad goals, with some simple suggestions for action.  I tend to do this because while some things will work for me, they may not work for you or some of the other readers.  There’s always been more than one way to skin a cat, and there always will be.  If you’ve got tips of your own, leave them in the comments, or sent them to twitter @sustainlifeblog

Have a great Thursday!

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