Eco-Friendly Ways To Save Money At Home

5.1 million U.S. consumers were victims of weight-loss scams in 2011, the Federal Trade Commission reports. The next biggest scam was prize promotions, deceiving just 2.4 million in comparison. People want to lose weight and quick-fix solutions are too good to pass up. Most of us have tried out some form of fitness miracle promising us our best body yet. Personally, I’m tired of wasting hard-earned money on useless fads, and I bet you are too. But sometimes it’s hard to tell what’s genuine and what’s not. Here are four fitness scams not to fall for.

Recent research has found that by 2050, there will be between 8.4 and 11.3 billion people living on our planet. Right now, there are only roughly 7 billion, and countries all over the globe are struggling with the impacts of climate change on their weather systems, food supplies, and vulnerable populations. Part of the issue with climate change is that most people don’t realize how easy, affordable, and essential it is to start the fight against climate change in your own home. Due to the diverse rhetoric on climate change, it’s also hard to find accurate information on what is available to you – the homeowner – that will not only help you contribute to a greener planet but will also save you money in the long and short term. So, what can you do at home to save yourself money, while saving the world?

Energy savers

If you’re living outside of the tropics, you know the struggle of seasonal temperature shifts. During particularly cold winters, it’s easy to forget how expensive boiling water can be. We use hot water for our taps and to heat our homes, so it might be time to consider installing a Smart Meter or solar panels to help offset the cost, and help reduce your greenhouse gas emissions. Underfloor heating has also been found to be far less expensive than traditional boiler systems and can be installed into any old home. Ideally, underfloor heating with solar panels could even see you paying nothing for heating your home in the harshest of winter months.

Think green

Switching to an environmentally friendly cleaning product is a great way to save money, or you could try making your own cleaning products. With just vinegar, lemon juice, and bicarb, you can clean almost any surface. These ingredients don’t leave a chemical scent and won’t harm your health. In comparison, chemical cleaning products are filled with toxins that easily get into your food, and therefore into you. Most of these toxins get into or onto your food via simple contact, with the most dominant being perchloroethylenes (neurotoxin), triclosan (creates drug-resistant bacteria), and chlorine.

Eat green

Try buying local food products too, and avoid eating animal products. Cows and other livestock contribute more to climate change than any other source of pollutants on the planet, and can also double your grocery bill, all while being incredibly detrimental to your overall health. Being a smart chef can improve your overall life expectancy, while also helping to save the planet. It a big switch, but worth it.

There are a million ways to save money while saving the planet and therefore saving yourself. Upgrading your home is now easier than ever before, and most eco-friendly updates end up paying themselves off, or saving you huge sums of money in both the long and the short term. If you’re looking to help the planet today, start at home. It’s easier than you’d ever imagine.