The effects of our activities on the planet have been devastating. We are experiencing global warming and things are getting even more challenging. If we are not careful, we might destroy the world for future generations.
At the same time, the cost of living has been going beyond the roof. Most homesteads are struggling to offset their bills. They are now looking for ways to cut down on these bills to make things easier for them.
However, did you know that there are things you can do to save money and the planet at the same time?
Here are a few of them;
1. Make Fewer Shopping Trips
We all love trips to the shopping store. However, did you know that you can save time and reduce your vehicle costs if you make fewer shopping trips? For instance, create a plan and a shopping list that allows you to shop once every week.
This is something most people managed to do during the COVID-19 pandemic. Others shopped once every two weeks. It is, therefore, possible for all of us to make fewer shopping trips if we wanted to.
If you drive less every week, you will be saving the planet because you will use less energy. You will also reduce environmental pollution, something that is important in combating global warming. You can also avoid spending money on unnecessary things with fewer shopping trips.
2. Get Green and Eco-Friendly Credit Cards
Did you know you can get green and co-friendly credit cards that help you save the planet? Well, if this is something you want to do, ensure that you are careful enough to get genuine ones that do what they promise to do.
You can get approved for these credit cards online, meaning that getting them is not difficult. These credit cards offset carbon emissions that might be associated with the purchases that you make. This is mostly done through the planting of trees.
Others ensure that a tree is planted for every transaction that is made. We also have green credit cards that promote a change in our behaviors. For instance, some offer cash-back promotions for purchases made from sustainable brands. Getting these credit cards will help you save money and the planet at the same time.
3. Check Your Heating Consumption
This is one of the things that contribute immensely to our monthly bills. If you want to cut down on your energy consumption, then you should turn down heat consumption at home. You can use a blanket, put on heavy slippers and hoodies, and reduce the heat in your house.
Did you know that you can save about 10% every month if you reduce electricity and gas consumption or reduce the temperature by about 4 degrees celsius? Get a programmable thermostat that allows you to automatically lower the temperature when away from home or even when sleeping.
Ensure that the temperature does not change by more than two degrees. If it does, you will be giving your heating system a hard time bringing the temperature back to normal. This will increase your monthly bills.
4. Stream Music and Videos Online
You can listen to or watch music videos in many different ways. If you want to save money and the planet at the same time, you need to avoid buying music and video CDs or DVDs. This does not mean that you will be shortchanging artists or producers.
If you spend a lot of time listening to music or watching videos, it would be better for you to get a streaming service. This way, you will be listening to music online and will not buy any CDs or DVDs, whose cases are made using polyvinyl chloride.
Polyvinyl chloride is difficult to recycle. Avoiding CDs and DVDs means that you will reduce the amount of waste destroying the environment. This is one way of being environmentally friendly.
In addition, you will be spending little money subscribing to a streaming service compared to buying a CD or DVD that might only have a few of the songs that you want.
5. Get Recycling Rewards
There are retailers around the globe that provide discounts for things that they can recycle. For instance, some take clothes from different brands, no matter their condition, and give out discounts or vouchers.
You have items in your house that you do not use. Instead of throwing them, look for these retailers. Apart from saving the planet, you might end up with discounts or vouchers that can save you a lot of money.
Saving the planet should be something that we are all doing. This is important in combating global warming. It even gets better knowing that we can save money and the planet at the same time, as discussed above.