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Did you know that saving energy and going green are easy to do and can help your budget?

Here are some easy things you can do:

1. Lower your thermostat when you are using your heat.  Just a few degrees and you can save hundreds of dollars annually.  The reverse is true when using your air conditioning, raising the temp can save money also.  You don't need to do this all the time, just remember when you leave an no one will be home to change the setting.  The more often you do this the more you can save.

2.  You know those glowing red lights on TV's and other electronics that are on even when the item is off, they draw energy costing you money.  Try unplugging them when you are not using them or put them on a power strip and turn the power strip off when not in use.  Think it doesn't save much.  I have had friends and customers tell me they save $30 or more dollars per month, that is $360 per year!

3.  Try changing your light bulbs to the new florescent.  They now come in soft white, daylight etc. so you can have the same light your accustom to, with a lower cost.  If you don't think you will like the new light from these bulbs, then try just changing a couple to see if the lighting is the same as you are accustom to, before purchasing more for your home.

4. Adding the proper insulation to your outlets and switches, can prevent drafts that cost you energy.  They make special ones for this use that cost between 10 and 20 cents each and are easy to install.

5. Make sure all lights, tv's, computers etc are turned off when not in use.  This includes any other appliance such as toasters or anything with an led display.

6. Plant a tree.  Yes, this helps more than you may think.  A deciduous tree planted on the Southside of your house can shade your home in summer and allow the sun to warm your house in winter, cutting your heating and air conditioning costs.

7. Plan your meals.  You can save many ways by planning your meals.  You will save at the grocery store by buying only what you need.  When you use your oven try and cook multiple meals or dessert at the same time, by filling your oven instead of cooking only one item at a time you save the cost of preheating and the length of time it is on.  You can even try buying a toaster oven that is big enough to cook your meals but smaller than your regular oven.  Also, try making extra to take as lunch or make into a different meal.  For example, we make a larger batch of Chili, we have it over rice one night then make scrumptious nachos another night.  You can do this with many items.

8. Buy water saving devices such as shower heads, and kitchen and bath sink aerators.  These give you the same pressure with less water usage.  Also, low flow toilets, some cities and counties give rebates so the cost is minimal.

9.  Don't throw it out. Donate or recycle your items.  Clothes can be given to charities or try exchanging them with friends, this works well with children clothes.  Newspapers can be recylced fairly easily, some churches collect them (and get cash for the church or their school) and most cities or counties have programs.

10. Used eye glasses can be donated to charity.  Most optical centers take them and give them to needy families.  Sometime you can receive a tax write off for the donation.

11.  Ink cartridges for printers and fax machines can sometimes be used to receive a credit toward your purchase at an office supply store(usually around $3.00 for each one you return).  Also, some organizations such as schools collect them and turn them into cash.

There are many ways to cut costs and going green can be easy.