9 Eco-Friendly Ways to Save Money

Accomplishing sustainability on a budget may sometimes feel nearly impossible, especially during the busy summer months. In reality, though, you can explore several eco-friendly ways to save money that won’t make much impact on your everyday routines! Here are a few money-saving ideas:

1. Minimize Your Air Conditioning

The thought of keeping your home cool all summer sounds very appealing, but it can also be costly. One great way to save money in the summer is to turn your air conditioning up a few degrees when you leave the house, so you aren’t cooling your home while you’re at work or running errands.

To take this tip to the next level, on days that aren’t quite so hot, you may be able to turn the temperature up inside slightly. Keeping an eye on your air conditioning usage can really make a difference when it comes to your monthly electric bill.

2. Adjust Your Hot Water Heater

Many people don’t even realize that they may be wasting money on hot water they’re not using. Most hot water heaters are automatically turned to maximum heat, which gives you the option to run extremely hot water if you choose.

You may be able to turn your hot water heater down a little bit without noticing much of a difference in your day-to-day routine. Especially in the summer, this is a simple but effective way to save money.

3. Cook at Home

If you eat at restaurants regularly, you may be spending about 300% more than necessary on your monthly food expenses. Cooking at home is a terrific way to save a significant chunk of change and even eat healthier.

If you’re the type of person who socializes by eating out, consider having an at-home potluck or cookout instead. Especially during the summer, it’s easy to fire up the grill and have your guests each bring a side dish to share.

To take this tip a step further, try planning out your grocery bill in advance to give you a better idea of your spending. Going to the grocery store prepared can also save you from last-second impulse purchases, which can add up over time.

Planning ahead and cooking at home are two great eco-friendly ways to save money and accomplish sustainability on a budget.

4. Grow a Garden

If you are cooking your own meals, having a small vegetable garden is a great way to cut down on your grocery bill and enjoy fresh, ripe food that comes right from your back yard. Growing your own veggies from home can also be healthier than store-bought food, as some brands use chemicals and other additives to grow their produce.

If you want to go above and beyond, raising chickens for their eggs can make a big difference, especially if you have enough chickens to sell their eggs to other people in your neighborhood.

5. Invest in a Drying Rack

One way to save money at home this summer is to air-dry some of your laundry. Appliances like dryers tend to use a lot of electricity, so consider investing in a drying rack for your clean laundry. An added plus to air-dried laundry is that clothes often last longer when hanging to dry, as the heat from a dryer can cause pilling and shrinkage on your clothes.

6. Hold a Garage Sale

One popular way to make some extra cash during the summer is to hold a garage sale. If you didn’t get a chance to spring clean earlier in the year, a garage sale is a great way to declutter and get rid of things you don’t use.

7. Turn Off Your Sprinklers

To cut down on your water bill, consider turning off your sprinklers at few days each week. If you normally water your grass Sunday through Saturday, you may be able to switch to every other day without impacting your yard’s health.

You can also keep an eye on the weather and turn your sprinklers off when rain is in the forecast. Similarly, if you have plants that need to be watered daily, consider investing in rain barrels. These large barrels catch water during summer storms, which can later be used for everyday activities like caring for plants.

8. Make Coffee at Home

While this money-saving strategy may feel a little overplayed, it’s still a good one. Acorns estimates that, if you drink two cups of coffee per day, you could save about $1,500 each year by making the switch to an at-home brew.

In the same way, consider investing in a Brita pitcher or reusable water bottle, rather than using disposable plastic bottles. Not only is this money move good for your wallet – it’s also good for the earth.

9. DIY Car Wash

Groupon estimates that the average cost of a car wash is about $10, and that price doesn’t include any add-ons. This summer, while the weather is warm, consider washing your car at home, or seeking out a local car wash fundraiser.

Bottom Line

It’s easy to accomplish sustainability on a budget if you have a strong game plan. These eco-friendly ways to save money can not only help you lighten the burden on your wallet this summer, but also to feel good about your carbon footprint.