Get Started Living Green Today!

Check out these easy ways to make subtle changes in your lifestyle that really do have an impact on the environment and may also save you some dollars.

Stop Idling. Did you know that every year Americansidle away around 2.9 billion gallons of gas a year? Wow, with today's gas prices that's almost $80 billion a year! So if you are waiting for more than 30 seconds (unless you're at a stoplight of course), turn the car off and you'll save
money, gas and keep some CO2 out of the air.

Turn It Off. Make sure to unplug as many things as you can in your home when not using them...phantom energy costs Americans millions every year. Get a powerstrip and make it easier to turn off things that are grouped like your computer, printer, scanner or your entertainment center.

Check The Temperature. In the winter turn down your thermostat 2 degrees and in the summer turn it up 2 degrees...you'll save between 1% - 3% of your energy bill.

Wash In Cold. Did you know that most laundry loads don't really need that hot, hot water? And the more detergent companies are improving their products ability to wash in cold water? Almost 90% of the energy your washer uses goes into heating the water!

Eliminate Paperwork. Whenever possible pay your bills online to save trees and also the energy used toactually get that envelope to you. Many companies offer an electronic invoice and if you don't see the option ask for it, they might be waiting for their customers to give this direction.

Cut The Junk. And while we're on the topic of mail, let's cut out junk mail because approximately 100 million trees and 28 billion gallons of water are used to send you junk mail. Do we really need all that mail? Research shows almost three quarters of it ends up in the garbage anyway.

Bag It Yourself. We all know by now the debate over paper vs. plastic and neither wins, both use way too many natural resources to produce such as petroleum and trees...so keep canvas bags in your car for shopping.