Simple Steps For Going Green

Despite what many people think, going green doesn't mean you have to live by candle light, or heat your coffee thru solar powered coffee pots.

In fact, drastic change is usually unsuccessful. A much wiser approach is to take smaller steps and keep building on them. So here are a few things that you can do to start becoming more sensitive to the environment. Most of you have seen or heard of these tips before but In case you haven't or you need reminding, here you go.

1. Buy Less Disposable Items. Everything we buy is designed to be used once or twice then disposed. The trouble is once we toss that bic razor in the trash we forget about it and assume it goes off to some magical wasteland where it just disappears.

A couple washable dish rags are far better than rolls of paper towels, and they will serve the same purpose.

2. Change out your old light bulbs to new energy efficient bulbs. They cost a few bucks more, but will make a nice dent in your electric bill. Not to mention they use much less energy.

3. Un plug your appliances when they are not being used. Charge your cell phone during the day, not overnight. It will reach maximum charge, but continue sucking energy. It sounds inconvenient but its is really not. Think about it, why does your microwave need to be plugged in all the time, if you only once a day or less. Besides, is it too much to ask to bend over and plug it in when you need to use it.

4. Buy only recycled paper goods. Unfortunately, we still need some paper items like toilet paper, computer paper, etc. so when you do buy these things make sure they were made from recycled products.

5. Re use envelopes. I'm assuming I'm not the only one that is bombarded with credit card offers, and loan consolidation requests. As annoying as they are, most of them will come with an envelope inside that is perfect for you to use. There you go, your saving trees and saving money.

6. Buy a bicycle - You would be surprised how many errands you can run, with just a bike and a back pack. Both mother nature and your body will thank you. It is great exercise, stress relief and will result in a little less car polution in the air.

About one year ago I donated my car to charity and bought a bicycle and it was the smartest thing I could have done. I'm saving a boat load of money on car payments, insurance, parking, gas, tickets, etc.

I ride to the bank, the grocery store, gym, guitar store, etc. on my bike.

7. Start Paying Attention to Labels - Odds are, all or most of the cleaning products and toiletries you buy contain toxic chemicals that are damaging to your health and of course the environment. You must read this article on Toxic Chemicals in Your Cabinets.

8. Start Teaching Your Kids, Family Members, Friends - We all understand the power of numbers. Just think, if you informed even half of the people you know and they told half the people they know about going green.... the impact would be huge.

9. No More Plastic Bags - This is a big one! Those little plastic bags that you get at the grocery store are silent killers. Millions of them are used once and tossed away. Then millions more are made the next day. They are almost non bio-degradable which means it takes hundreds of years to decompose. They are essentially pointless!

Most grocery stores sell stronger cloth type bags (made from recycled goods) for .99 cents. They are machine washable and hold a lot of groceries. So you really only need a handful of them. Some grocery stores will even reward you for bringing your own bags.

Many times, you may only buy a few things and may not need any bag at all.

10. Carpool - More than likely there is someone that you know that lives near you, that would be willing to share a ride into work. Even if its a couple days per week. It will give you a break on gas, and get you out from behind the wheel during that bumper to bumper traffic. Return the favor and everyone is happy. Besides, with a passenger you can coast in the HOV lane if you are so fortunate enough to have one.

If you do all or even some of these things you are making a difference and making the world a better place.