Who says saving the planet has to put a strain on your shrinking wallet? Sure, we all want to live green, but these days, can we really afford to buy recycled or pick only the most energy efficient appliances if they happen to be more expensive than the alternative?
Maybe not. But being a friend to the environment doesn't always have to mean a bleeding bank account. In fact, driving green can actually save you money. And no, I'm not talking about buying $40,000 hybrid. Here are just a few ways you can blunt the ill-effects of transportation while also pinching a few much-needed pennies.
1. USE YOUR CRUISE
Have you been in this situation before? You're driving down the Interstate, your mind is wandering back to those delicious waffles you had for breakfast, and suddenly you realize you're following a little too close to the car in front of you?
You stomp the brakes, if only for a second, and promise yourself to pay more attention from now on. All the intermittent starts and stops of manual driving mean inconsistent and often wasteful fuel usage in your car. If you switch on the cruise control, you'll smooth out the curve and save yourself money in the long run. Though you might have to be extra careful about keeping focused on the road.
2. FEWER TRIPS = FEWER DOLLARS
Your car generates the most pollution when the engine is warming up. Which means that cutting the engine on and off is worse for the environment than keeping it running. So instead of rushing out of the house for every little thing you need, try combining several errands into one trip. You'll be less of a polluter, and you'll save gas by eliminating the need to drive back and forth over the same path. It's a win-win.
3. COVER UP
If you have covered parking at home, use it. And when you're on the go, try looking for a spot in the shade. In the hot summer months, you'll appreciate not being baked alive every time you slide into the driver's seat, and you'll also save precious energy when your air conditioner doesn't have to strain itself to achieve sub-baking temperatures.
4. DE-JUNK YOUR TRUNK
A lot of us carry plenty of unnecessary baggage in our cars. But chances are, you won't be presented with a sudden chance to play eighteen holes. Only pack your golf clubs when you know you're headed to the links. And while you're at it, remove any other unnecessary load from the trunk. The added weight decreases your fuel efficiency and adds potentially expensive wear and tear to your tyres.shtml>tyres.shtml> tires.
5. TEAM UP
When it comes to both the environment and the current economic downturn, we're all in this together. So why not take that idea to the next level? If you live near your co-workers or if some of them can be picked up on the way to work, it benefits everyone to use a good old fashioned car pool. By splitting the cost of gas and rotating cars, you all cut down on fuel and maintenance costs while simultaneously slashing the harmful emissions you'd normally generate. Plus, you can finally get to know your office-mates a little better. (Though if Bob from accounting is as weird as he seems, you may not want to.)
