During this economy crisis, we should all be looking for ways to save and preserve our finances. To be honest, we shouldn’t just stop our preservation efforts with our financial health, but we should also do all that we can do preserve the environment and the world that we live in. Taking steps to go green to help our world could result in us seeing more green in our wallets and bank accounts. Here’s how:

Hang up your wet clothes to dry them. It’s a very simple concept that can be done just about anywhere to save your family money on energy expenses. Pretty much you buy for cheap a clothesline or long rope that you can hang either outside for some free drying sunshine, in your garage, or even in a bathroom or laundry room. You can also buy for cheap any tools that you would need to put up the clothesline including a hammer and nails.

For those that don’t normally have a lot of clothes to dry anyway, hanging up your clothes could significantly reduce your overall energy bill because you would have very little use and need for your electric dryer, which can cost a lot to run. Most washing machines will spin your clothes practically dry so that when they come out, they are barely moist to the touch. If you want, spin them twice through the washer and then, put those hangers or clothespins, that you can buy for cheap at about $1 per package, to good use while enjoying a financial saving.

Walk, ride, or skateboard wherever you need to go while the economy crisis is looming. Not only will your body get all of the great advantages from this form of exercise, but you will also save money and our environment. Gas prices are ever-changing, so it can be difficult for a family to figure out their exact gas budget, anyway.

The emissions that you save the planet is as important as the finances that your family will save. To be honest, your family will see a savings almost immediately, especially if you have a larger vehicle. When the vehicle is larger it requires more gas, which is more money spent on fuel, and a higher gas budget. Eliminate the need to research or drive around trying to find gas that you can buy for cheap by using your “pedal power”.

Recycle and reuse the basics like store shopping bags. Use them for your regular household trash and garbage. Don’t worry about doing all of that shopping for garbage bags, just use those. Some say that we should use canvas bags. That’s fine also, but surely we need to dispose of our regular trash and those bags are perfect for that! They’re free, so you don’t even have to try to buy for cheap, just shop and reuse to save your family a few dollars.

Newspapers are great for a lot of things, and during this economy crisis, their usage becomes even more valuable. Newspapers can be used for cleaning things like windows, which can save money on buying those expensive window wipes. Newspaper can be used to absorb odors in things like shoes, food containers, and suitcases. Simply stuff them with crumpled newspaper and enjoy the absence of smell when you are ready to use these items. Plus, you can save money by not having to use dryers sheets for those things or special fabric refreshers.

These are just a few ways to go green and save during this economy crisis. Consider alternative methods of doing things, get “back to nature”, or just don’t use as much energy and other resources, and before you know it you and your family could be enjoying the saving, cost-cutting, and new frugal ways that you have learned. Everyone is looking for ways to get more for less right now, and when you and your family see the change in your finances…you will be glad that you took these simple steps toward going green!