Budgeting your Green: How to help the environment, and your pocketbook

By now, we've all heard how hybrid automobiles are saving the environment and extending gas dollars. But many households run on a tight budget, and a new Prius or Accord seems miles down the road. Is it possible to create and refine a more "green-friendly" lifestyle without seriously breaking the bank?

Actor and environmental activist Ed Begley, Jr. believes anything is possible when it comes to helping Mother Nature. And no matter what type of lifestyle you lead, there is always something you can improve. "I keep finding new ways to refine it&things to do better. Nearly all of it is second nature. It is very easy to do. And, most importantly, it is good for my bottom line."

• Buy an energy saving light bulb, like a compact fluorescent. Not only do they reduce your daily energy intake, but also they are pretty affordable and easy to find. Sometimes local utility companies will even give away light bulbs, so it doesn't hurt to ask. Estimated cost: $6.00
• Utilize a rain catcher. Be it a bucket under the windowsill or a rain barrel under the rain gutter, find a method to catch unused rain. Use it to water your garden, as drinking water for pets, or any of your other water needs. Estimated cost: $3 for a bucket
• Recycle. There seems to be a forgotten drive to recycle common household products. And yet, the savings by recycling and taking various items to the appropriate waste facilities is enormous. Separate all your items into categories, put them in empty garbage cans, and when the can is full, it's time to go recycle and pick up a nice little check as well. Estimated cost: $0
• Make sure your cleaners are environmentally friendly. Wonder what you may be scrubbing those huge messes with? Simply changing your cleaning products from potentially toxic disasters to natural and safe for the environment doesn't have to cost anything. With clean and natural products that carry a competitive price tag, this option just needed an alternative solution! Estimated cost: $6.00
• Plant your own home garden, or start a community garden. Whether dangling from a windowsill or in the backyard, most residences have a spot for you to grow your own little nursery of edible extras. Grow an herb garden for extra fresh seasoning, or take on some hardy salads with tomatoes or cucumbers. The possibilities are only limited by your space and your imagination. Estimated cost: $10 for seeds and materials

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