There are countless reasons to make environmentally friendly choices throughout your lifestyle. If everyone made a few simple changes, there would be a profound impact on the health of the environment. There are other benefits of going green that may be immediately more noticeable to you, like putting money back in your pocket. 

Lower Bills

Making your home more energy efficient is considered one of the basics of making your home more environmentally friendly. It reduces the amount of energy needed to heat and cool your home, makes it more comfortable, and can help you avoid damage from drafts, leaks, and gaps around your foundation. It can also lead to lower bills. 

When you use less electricity or gas to heat and cool your home, your utility bills will go down. That is a  simple fact. Installing aerators and flow reducers to limit water consumption leads to less water use and, you guessed it, lower water bills. So, you will be helping to save the environment, and for your next vacation all at the same time.

Incentives and Credits

Saving on bills will add up over time, but some choices you make offer a big payback all at once. Consider major home renovations or car purchases. There are manufacturer, industry, and government incentives to make purchases more affordable. If you are shopping for a car, look into dealer incentives and tax breaks that can help you lower the purchase price. They may bring the cost of an electric vehicle in line with a gas-powered one, which can save you a lot of money at the pump in the long run. 

Are you thinking of adding a solar energy system to your house? Ask your installer how a lease or solar tax credit can make it an affordable alternative energy solution. 

Rebates are available for the purchase of many environmentally friendly improvement products and energy-efficient appliances. You can find them for a few dollars when you purchase light bulbs to several hundred dollars for appliances or geothermal heating and cooling systems. 

Less Wear and Tear

General wear from use can be reduced by taking a green approach to maintenance and use. Less reliance on appliances, heating systems, and vehicles means less wear and tear on those things. Which usually results in fewer repairs and breakdowns and a longer life span. 

Keeping them properly maintained will also reduce ear and, as an added bonus, can help increase efficiency. Help yourself avoid costly repairs by setting up a regular schedule for some basic home maintenance tasks around the house. 

Fewer Trips to the Mall

This isn't to say that the mall is an inherently bad place. You may like going there to spend time with friends, people watch, and check out the new trends. A trip to the local mall or shopping center can quickly turn into an expensive outing. Making a commitment to reduce, reuse, and recycle can help you save a bunch of money on shopping trips.  

So, sure, you may decide you still want to visit the mall just as often. Only, viewed through an environmentally-friendly lens, you won't be tempted to purchase as many things. Less buying means more savings, even if you are the biggest bargain hunter out there.

Reduced Fuel Consumption

Fewer trips to the mall have another benefit for your bottom line: fewer pit stops to fill up the tank. Whether you choose to go with an electric or hybrid vehicle or you simply work to combine and minimize travel, you will spend less on fuel. Since the average US commute has reached a record 25 minutes each way, any efficiency measures you can make will likely add up. For short trips to the store or around town, consider using a human-powered option like walking or taking a bike. That simple swap will help you save money, help the environment, and get some exercise.

If you have been holding off on making eco-friendly changes to your lifestyle because you thought they would add to your expenses, rest assured that it doesn't have to be the case. As you can see, there are plenty of opportunities to actually save money when going green if you plan carefully and make smart choices.