One of the biggest discussions that has been all over the internet for the past few years is the option of going green.
Solar panels, sustainability and green energy have been hotly debated topics on internet forums and communities, and there’s almost a 50/50 split between opinions that are for and against switching to green energy.
While there are many positives to going green, one of the reasons being discussed is the fact it can actually save money.
In terms of personal finance, going green might not make you wealthy, but there are many advantages of doing it that could ultimately lead to huge savings in the future.
Let’s explore this idea and touch on a few subjects that will hopefully convince you of the benefits of going green.
Smart shopping
The first way we can save money is to buy smartly. Most of us take our cars when we go shopping because it’s more convenient and we don’t need to exert energy walking or wait for public transport.
However, one of the mistakes people make is to go on regular trips in the car instead of buying in bulk. Instead of making several trips to the local supermarket, make one trip every week and stock up on items.
Perishables usually last a week, so the timing lines up almost perfectly. If you only need to buy a few items, consider walking or taking a bike to a local store to pick up fewer items.
Water filters instead of bottled
Plastic bottles can create a lot of waste. This is mainly because the bottles end up in landfills and they can’t degrade or give back to the environment, meaning they’re simply stored and left to sit there forever.
Bottled water can also be expensive, so instead of wasting money and throwing bottles away, consider getting a reusable bottle and a water filter instead to purify your tap water.
In some locations, tap water is perfectly drinkable, meaning you can save even more money by simply pouring yourself a glass of water.
Installing solar panels
One of the biggest home improvements you can make when going green is to install solar panels. Although they’re expensive, they provide massive energy savings almost instantly.
They do take a few years until you recover your initial investment, so it’s not ideal for people who are renting homes.
It’s a fantastic option for people who are investing in their own homes, however, and it can go a long way to cut down electricity bills in the future.
Stop throwing electronics away
Electronics such as old phones, televisions and computers can be donated to various charity stores if they still work. They can also be sold on websites like eBay or Craigslist.
There might be collectors who are willing to pay for your ancient devices, and in some cases, there are companies that will pick up all your scrap electronics for a low price so they can recycle them into newer items.
This is much better than throwing them into a trash bin where they will eventually be scrapped. The toxins inside of computer components such as batteries can negatively affect the environment and eventually deteriorate the land—all electronic waste should be disposed of properly!
