From Guest Blogger Brooke Chaplan: Saving the Earth Through Daily, Personal Choices

Often all it takes is some minor changes in your daily habits in order to have a big impact on the world around you. Many people shy away from the idea of “going green” simply because they feel as if their schedule is too hectic, but these lifestyle changes could actually save you time and money. Here is a look at some steps you can take to start reducing your carbon footprint today.
Skip the Paper

Even those who recycle as much as possible might be wasting more paper than they think. Within the United States alone, the average adult uses over 749 pounds of paper every single year. Making a few minor changes such as switching over to paperless bank statements and reusable grocery bags will reduce the amount of paper that finds its way to the landfill.

Carry Your Own Water with You

The use of disposable plastic bottles has become an epidemic that is affecting ecosystems all over the world. According to The Water Project, over 80 percent of all plastic water bottles never get recycled. As an alternative, you might want to consider switching over to a reusable bottle you can carry with you everywhere you go. As an added bonus, keeping a reusable bottle nearby will help you keep track of how much water you are drinking every day.

Give Your Electronics a Rest

Many electronics continue to draw power even when they appear to be off. This “phantom load” can cost families and businesses hundreds of dollars over the years and could even lower the lifespan of their electronics. Whenever you leave the house or go to bed for the night, most of your electronics should be completely unplugged or attached to a power strip in the OFF position. You can also look at different electric companies to see who has lower rates. Some companies, like Electricity Match, even allow you to see the various prices for certain providers. This, in combination with turning your electronics off when not in use, is helpful in reducing your carbon footprint.

Switch Over to Efficient Light Bulbs

Practically everyone will benefit from upgrading their older light bulbs to energy-efficient CFL bulbs. These bulbs have been specifically designed to use as little power as possible while still producing the same amount of light as incandescent bulbs. Newer CFL bulbs have also been designed to outlast practically any other bulb on the market. Some of these high-efficiency lights will last for 10 years or longer in the right conditions.

Going green not only benefits the planet, but it will also benefit you and your loved ones. These minor changes can add up to hundreds of dollars in savings every single year and give you peace of mind you are doing something positive for the world.