It Pays to Go Green

Posted October 21, 2008 by Bernz

Who would of thought that an economic crisis would prove just how good going green can be. I’ve seen people stretch (and stress) their brain on ways to come up with ways to spend less and save more only to decide that putting their effort toward a eco-friendly life-style would prove to be smart and practical.

While we all know that carpooling and recycling helps reduce our carbon footprint and eliminate waste, there are other eco-conscious opportunities that might not be so apparent.

For instance, you might be able to qualify for a federal tax credit, which is more valuable that a standard deduction, if you make certain energy-efficient upgrades to your primary residence.

Here are some items that fall under the green umbrella:

  • Windows
  • Exterior doors
  • Insulation
  • Central air and heating
  • Furnace
  • Water heater

Click here for a list of other qualifying items.

Click here to download a Residential Energy Credit IRS 5695.

Other things you can do to save money while you save the planet include:

Adjusting the temp in your fridge to 37°F. Set the freezer at 0°F.

Stop receiving junk mail. You’ll spend less money if you can’t be tempted, right? Go to dmaconsumers.org and sign up to be taken off certain list.

Invest in environmentally conscious mutual funds.

Turn water off while you brush your teeth, open the door to your oven after baking—this spreads heat throughout your household. Put a clean dry towel in your dryer—your clothes will dry quicker and more thoroughly. Thrift shop—for clothes, appliances, home furnishings and electronics.

Think: Reduce. Recycle. Reuse. Soon going green will become a natural way of life. It’s working for me.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 21, 2008 at 8:25 am and is filed under Financial Education. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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