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Thinking green is a lot more than a passing trend, and you don't need a large bank account to make a real impact. All you need is a little awareness and some initiative. To make some simple changes, follow this list of the ten best ways to be green, without spending a lot of green.

1) Conserve water. Cutting down on water consumption is the most cost-effective and environmentally sound way to conserve. Start by shortening your showers to five minutes instead of ten. Other ways to save include watering the lawn only when it needs it, and use full loads when washing clothes. These easy tasks can save hundreds of gallons of water every year.

2) Unplug. When you were a kid how many times did your parents tell you to turn off the lights? Remembering to flip the switch when you leave a room may not seem like a big deal, but imagine how much energy could be saved if everyone did it. Turn off appliances that are not in use. Televisions, computers and radios all use energy. Taking the time to shut off these common offenders not only conserves, but it cuts down on utility bills.

3) Recycle. In most areas recycling is included with weekly trash pick-up, and the biggest cost is buying an extra trashcan. Many items, from plastic to aluminum and even paper can be reused. Not only is recycling free, but in some states you can get money for your recyclables.

4) Buy new bulbs. Replacing old light bulbs with energy-efficient fluorescent ones may be one of the easiest ways to think green. These bulbs use 1/4 the energy, and last 8 to12 times longer.

5) Ditch the plastic. Plastic water bottles may be the number one environmental offender, and in some cases one bottle costs more than a gallon of gas. Reusable water bottles are just as convenient as throw away bottles, and tap water is free. If you can't stand tap water, buy purified gallons at the grocery store.

6) Get a fan. Most of us probably catch ourselves complaining about high electric bills in the summer. Why not save a little money and use a fan? Sure, it may be a little hotter, but saving on costly electric bills is a great incentive. Plus, using fans can cut up to 363 pounds of CO2 a year.

7) Drive less. Americans are dependant on foreign oil. It gets us to work, school and lots of other places, but gas is expensive. Think about how much money can be saved by cutting back just 40 miles a week. Not only will you be saving money, you will reduce harmful emissions in the atmosphere. To make the change ask around the office about

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