Family Finance Help

This economy crisis is prompting a lot of families to work together to try to keep monthly spending low and financial savings positive. Even as we try to keep the finances that we need for survival in a good state, so too should we work to do good things for the earth and the natural things that we need. The truth is that if we make an effort to go green, we may in fact see more green in our family’s finances. Try these tips to save your family during this economy crisis:

Don’t use electric dryers unless you absolutely have to. You could hang up your clothes that come from the washing machine and let them air dry for free! Simply put up a clotheslines and let them drip dry with the sun or in a “safe place” like your bathroom or garage. You can buy for cheap anything that you need to get started like clothespins, a long rope or clotheslines, a hammer and nail, or retractable clothesline.

For those that don’t normally have a lot of clothes to dry anyway, hanging up your clothes could significantly reduce your overall energy bill because you would have very little use and need for your electric dryer, which can cost a lot to run. Most washing machines will spin your clothes practically dry so that when they come out, they are barely moist to the touch. If you want, spin them twice through the washer and then, put those hangers or clothespins, that you can buy for cheap at about $1 per package, to good use while enjoying a financial saving.

Use pedal power to save on gas during this economy crisis. Whether you decide to ride a bike or just walk, your body and your budget will enjoy the benefits of letting your vehicle rest a while. With gas prices fluctuating, families are having a hard time knowing exactly how much they should allocate for gas expenses.

The emissions that you save the planet is as important as the finances that your family will save. To be honest, your family will see a savings almost immediately, especially if you have a larger vehicle. When the vehicle is larger it requires more gas, which is more money spent on fuel, and a higher gas budget. Eliminate the need to research or drive around trying to find gas that you can buy for cheap by using your “pedal power”.

Recycle and reuse the basics like store shopping bags. Use them for your regular household trash and garbage. Don’t worry about doing all of that shopping for garbage bags, just use those. Some say that we should use canvas bags. That’s fine also, but surely we need to dispose of our regular trash and those bags are perfect for that! They’re free, so you don’t even have to try to buy for cheap, just shop and reuse to save your family a few dollars.

Get the most of newspaper also. From gift wrap to stuffing packages to absorbing odors in shoes and food containers, newspaper has many, many uses. So, instead of just throwing it away, use it and save on things like fabric freshening sprays and window wipes…newspaper is fantastic for cleaning windows!

These are just a few ways to go green and save during this economy crisis. Consider alternative methods of doing things, get “back to nature”, or just don’t use as much energy and other resources, and before you know it you and your family could be enjoying the saving, cost-cutting, and new frugal ways that you have learned. Everyone is looking for ways to get more for less right now, and when you and your family see the change in your finances…you will be glad that you took these simple steps toward going green!