Living Green - All about saving energy, money, and the planet

Saving money

Where to start:

Save on gas by walking, biking, carpooling, or taking public transit.
Ditch expensive bottled water and drink tap water.
Substitute at least one vegetarian meal for meat each week.
Fix leaky faucets to save on your water bill.
Get a home-energy audit to see where you can reduce your power bill.
Start an organic garden to grow your own veggies and fruits.
Find books, CDs, and DVDs at your local library for free entertainment.
Borrow and swap for new-to-you things, and reuse stuff instead of shopping.

More about: Saving money

Going green can save you green — cash, that is. When you cut energy and water use around the house, your utility bills go down. Driving less is good for the environment and good for your wallet, especially in the age of $4 gas. Get creative and see what you can reduce and reuse to go green and save money.

Seven worthwhile energy-efficient products

Some of the most effective energy-efficient products lining store shelves are also the simplest. These low-tech items will save energy and money with minimal effort and investment.

Stop spending money for one week

By saving money with an easy fiscal fast, you'll gain new insight into your own personal finance patterns.

Raid your pantry for nontoxic cleaners

There are plenty of non-toxic cleaning products on the market, but your greenest and cheapest option is to use some of the same ingredients your grandmother used to keep her home spic and span.

How to find free stuff

Want free furniture, a place to stay, or even a bike? Thanks to the Internet, it's fairly easy to find a wide variety of free products and services.

Giving up lint for Lent

How lint costs you (no joke) $70,000.

Is your tap water safe?

The general consensus is that tap water is a safe, healthy, and economical choice for most Americans.

My $8 economic stimulus package

The quick and easy way to start saving money today.

How to prevent buyer's remorse: Audit your spending habits

Buying less stuff is great for your bank account and Mother Earth.

Keep your house from leaking cash

These easy fixes will seal up energy wastes around the house and cut your power bill this winter.

My Crock-Pot: Mean, green, $30 recession-fighting machine

Learn to save money and still eat healthy, tasty meals.

Green holiday deals

Plenty of online store are offering discounts this holiday season. Here's the short list of worthwhile eco-deals.

Stop wasting money: video games and energy efficiency

The video game console craze is ramping up our energy use too. Here's what you can do to conserve and still have fun.

Greener shipping options

Wonder if shipping your carefully chosen green gifts to far flung locations will wipe out any gains you've made? No need to worry; when it comes to shipping, there are plenty of ways to go greener and, in many cases, save green as well.

Beating the Draft: On unused fireplaces

The fireplace accounts for more lost air than windows -- air you're likely paying to heat. How to stop it?

Green fashion: New clothes made from old

Looking to green your wardrobe? Clothing made from sustainable fabrics -- or fabricated anew from old items -- is readily available.

Frugal expert's guide to green

These measures cost money at the outset, and pay off in the end.

Frugal intermediates guide to green

Save over $7,000 in 5 years, with a modest $1,200 investment in home upgrades to save energy and water.

Eco-friendly cars for the cheapskate

Hybrid cars are expensive, and they still use gas. But biodiesel -- especially when made from used vegetable oil -- has low emissions and is practically free. Converting a diesel engine isn't that hard.

Frugal beginners guide to going green

Find out how to spend less than $1,200 to save over $8,000 over the course of five years. Yep, going green can actually save you some green.

Sew green, save green, look fab

Add flair to your wardrobe while recycling clothes into new fashions in a home-grown version of 'Project Runway.'