It's Easy Bein' Green: 16 Simple Steps to More Eco-Friendly Living

It's easier than ever to adopt a more environmentally-friendly lifestyle. With our society's growing awareness of energy and conservation issues, there has never been more information, technology, or energy-saving gadgets to help us green up our lives. What's more, the costs for these eco-friendly solutions are decreasing as more people are jumping on the green bandwagon. And because we're paying our own utility bills, our energy conservation efforts can benefit both our planet and our pocketbook. For many of us, environmentally friendly decisions are now just a part of everyday life. Plus, if you have children at home who see you modeling a green lifestyle, your decisions will likely be passed on to the next generation - and beyond. Here are 16 easy steps you can take to green up your home, without spending a lot of energy, time, or money. 1. Unplug appliances when you aren't using them. Some electrical items will actually continue to use energy when they are in "standby" mode. So you can save energy (and money on your utility bill) by getting in the habit of unplugging them when you are finished using them for the day. Consider plugging your large appliances, such as the TV, VCR and stereo into a single power strip, so you can unplug everything at once. Also, make sure you unplug all of your chargers (for your phone, ipod, laptop, etc.) when they aren't in use. 2. Call your local utility company to request an energy audit. Many local companies will set up these free assessments to give you a better idea of the amount of energy you use and how you can resolve to use less. 3. Reduce. Then Reuse. Then recycle. It's great to be in the habit of recycling things, but you can make a much bigger impact by reducing the goods you consume in the first place. Once you have bought something, see how many times you can reuse it before finally tossing it into the recycling bin. 4. Buy consumables in bulk. This can really minimize the amount of packaging that you are reusing and recycling. Avoid buying things with excess packaging. 5. Recycle everything you can. Make a game out of how little trash your family can produce. You might be surprised at the number of things that can be recycled. Take a trip to the local recycling center as a family, and take notes on all the different types of material they accept. 6. Install a programmable thermostat, so you can save money and energy on your heating and cooling bills. 7. Make sure to turn off the lights every time you leave the room. And make sure your front and back porch lights are off during the day. 8. As your standard light bulbs burn out, replace them with compact fluorescent bulbs, which are energy efficient and have a longer lifespan. 9. As your appliances wear out, replace them with Energy Star appliances. 10. Run appliances only when you need to. Run the washing machine only when you have a full load. Run the dishwasher only when it's full. 11. Hang clothes outside to dry (if your homeowners' association permits it). 12. Don't buy plastic water bottles. Purchase only BPA-free water bottles and reuse, reuse, reuse. 13. Instead of putting your computer in hibe ation mode each night, turn it off, and unplug it. 14. Check your tire pressure. When your tires are at the proper level of inflation, you'll get optimal fuel efficiency. 15. Use cloth instead of paper when you can – for diapers and napkins, for example. 16. Purchase products made from recycled material, when available. You really can make a difference with your dollars. Think of each dime you spend as a kind of vote for the type of businesses, enterprises, and causes that you wish to support. Being green won't take a lot of extra work, and will actually save you money in the long run, with lower utility bills and fuel costs.