by Angel Quinton

Created on: July 20, 2008   Last Updated: March 23, 2009

In the present economic climate it is vital that we are careful with our money. With a little thought this can be combined with addressing environmental issues.

There are many ways in which you can save money and help the environment, little everyday things can make a BIG difference and the more people think about it the better.

1) If you hand wash using soap nuts and essential oils you can reuse that water, from your mop bucket, washing up bowl etc to water your plants. You can also re use bath water.

2) Instead of buying kitchen rolls use cloths - colour code for each purpose - floors, work tops etc, then wash and reuse. Saves on energy used making the rolls transport and paper - even recycled ones use all these resources.

3) Think before using the car, could you walk it, I see so many of my neighbours and frinds going up the local shop in their car, take a ten minute walk instead - better for your health, purse and environment.

4) Next time you get the vacuum cleaner out run the cleaner gently over the coils on the back of the fridge to remove the dust. The motor will run for shorter periods and save energy and cash.

5) Turn down your central heating thermostat by 1 degree - save up to 10% on bills.

6) Fitting a low energy life bulb may seem like a costly, but will save you 10 a year in electricity! It will pay for itself in as little as six months. Replace the ones that are on longest the first.

7) A soon as dusk comes draw the curtains, your windows, even if they're double-glazed are an energy leak point. This can save you around 15 per year.

8) When you're cooking always use a lid on your pan, it cuts the energy used.

9) Set your central heating to cut out 30mins to 1 hour before you go to bed - it will still be warm when you go to bed.

10) Taking a shower instead of a bath, depending on the length of time you shower it can use as little as 1/5 of the hot water.

11) Remember to switch off unwanted lights.

12) If you have a microwave always use instead of an electric cooker to heat small quantities of food, much more energy efficient.

13) Only fill your kettle to the level you really need.

14) Don't put warm food in the fridge, always let it cool down first, don't put uncovered food in the fridge the moisture released make the fridge work harder.

15) Always put a full load in your washing machine, small loads waste large amounts of energy.

16) Don't leave the electrical items on when you're not using it.

17) Defrost your fridge regularly a build up of frost on the elements will dramatically reduce its efficient.

18) To see how much electricity a kettle uses, look at the dial on your electricity meter and watch the speed it moves, say with only a couple of lights and the tv on in the house.. Then fill the kettle and go back and look at the dial..... Watch the dial spin... This just goes to show how much electricity can be saved if you put only the amount of water you need to boil in the kettle.

19) When you leave your TV on stand-by, it uses a third of the electricity it would use to have it totally turned on... Do not leave your television on stand-by, you will use lots less electricity.

20) use natural products for cleaning - lemons for fridge, work tops, vinegar for windows, bicarb for burnt on food on saucepans, and stains on clothes, soda cystals are great for soaking clothes too and household cleaning.

21) Natural products can save pennies in beauty too, olive oil is a great moisturiser, and hair conditioner, add brown sugar for a exfoliant.

So consider using less chemicals and more natural products as well as cutting down on energy and products used. You will gain an economical, pleasent home with little effort.

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