Some Ways to Maintain the Greenness of your Wallet and the Earth

This is Eco-Annie again with some more helpful hints to make your money go further and help bring back the earth to her previous healthful shape. All of these things may take a financial hit upfront, but in the long run will save you much more than what you paid.

1. Having a meeting, get together, party? It doesn't matter whether it's at work, home or place of worship. Place boxes or bags out for recycling glass, plastic drink bottles and soda cans. Someone volunteer to take them to be recycled.

2. Take out anything heavy and unnecessary to carry around in your vehicle.

3. Ask your provider of electricity to do an "energy audit" of your house or home and how to make changes to help you save. Bug your landlord to do the same.

4. Insulate windows with thick curtains or blinds and use them especially hen you are not home.

5. Insulate your attic floor or top floor ceiling.

6. Keep your A/C equipment in top operating condition. Use a professional for this.

7. Lower the heat thermostat in winter during the night unless you have someone in the house who cannot tolerate it (young children, elderly, some disorders, etc.).

8. Install a programmable thermostat to raise A/C temperatures and lower heat temperatures when family members typically are not home or at sleep.

9. Shade your outdoor A/C unit with 1-2 trees, preferably evergreens that do not drop leaves (junipers). Careful not to impede air circulation around the unit.

10. Clean or replace A/C and heating filters once a month.

11. Plant trees to shade your house in the summer.

12. Consider awnings or shutters on the outside of your windows facing east, west or south.