Saving green, being green

Monday, September 29, 2008 -- 11:24 p.m.

All this news about the economy is really depressing--not to mention worrying. Wallets are tighter than ever, cost of living is going up and no one knows exactly what's going to happen.

Which means, of course, that I should start spending less money on random things I don't need. In theory, that means I'd avoid eating out, new clothes and buying items that are greener, but more expensive, right? Well, I'm finding that the last one has more to do with saving money than spending.

For example, I had some friends over this weekend, and in lieu of eating out, we threw together dinner at my place. We used whatever I had around--including lots of veggies from my CSA--and made a delicious pasta and spinach-cream cheese spread, which we ate with crackers I found in my pantry.

So, not only did we all save money, we also managed to reduce our waste trail by avoiding a restaurant that produces far more waste than my kitchen.

Here are a few other ways to save green while being green:

>> Take public transportation--or, better yet, walk or ride you bike when you can.

>> Buy fewer packaged products at the grocery store. Those bags of chips and cookies are probably more expensive than a bag of apples in terms of servings and being filling. In-season veggies and fruits can go a long way for not much money. Plus, you'll save a whole lot of packaging from going into landfills--and your garbage: Fewer trash bags!

>> Use CFL lightbulbs. They cost a little more in the beginning, but they save you money over time.

>> Take shorter showers.

>> Wear your jeans more than once before washing. You get to do less laundry--and your clothes are saved from excessive wearing that can come from washing machines.

>> Turn down the thermostat.

>> Plus, check out Planet Green's site for even more tips.

I know lots of these seem obvious, but we all have memory lapses--I often need to talk myself out of Cheetos and ice cream ...