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Green Shopping Tips and Tricks

One of the main reasons why “going green” is such a good idea is because it teaches us to be more responsible with our resources. So, wouldn’t it make perfect sense that we should learn how to not just recycle and conserve energy, but also do all that we can to make wise decisions when it comes to our spending too?

If you’ve never thought about becoming a “green shopper”, it’s easier than you might think. We have enclosed seven tips that will help you to be able to save some money, time, energy and effort as you’re out trying to do your part to make our environment a better place—one purchase at a time.

Plan before you go. We’ve all had moments when we’ve found ourselves going to Wal-Mart or Target for some toothpaste or laundry detergent and yet we ended up walking out with two or three bags of things. One of the best ways to be a good green shopper is to only buy what you need. You can pull this off successfully by writing down a list before you go and sticking to it (no matter what) while you’re out.

Make it a group trip. Gas is high and the less emissions that we put into the air, the better off our environment is for everyone. So, why not get some of your friends together and carpool to the grocery store? The couple of extra bucks that you didn’t have to put into your gas tank can go into a piggy bank for a rainy day.

Buy in bulk. One study revealed that a family of four can save close to $2,000 annually simply buy purchasing the largest size of items or buying things in bulk. That’s because individual servings tend to be a bit more expensive, especially when you add up all the ones that you got over time. So, if you have a big family but you don’t have a Sam’s or Costco’s membership card, maybe this will inspire you to finally go out and get one.

Get reusable things. It’s always cool when you can find something that you need or want at a local thrift store. However, even if you go the “new route”, there are still things that you can purchase that can be used over and over again. Some of the items that fit on this list include rechargeable batteries, cloth paper towels, napkins and diapers and electric and hand razors that come with replaceable blades.

Shop online. Did you know that you can find some of the best deals online? Websites like Overstock, Etsy, Amazon and eBay have a wide variety of things to choose from. Plus, if you go onto a promotional code website like RetailMeNot.com or Coupons.com, you can usually find some kind of additional discount. So, what’s the “green angle” here? Well, you don’t have to drive to where your laptop is, right? Shopping online even beats carpooling.

Check the labels. Organic is a good thing, but it’s also a billion-plus dollar industry. This means that you can’t assume that just because a company markets their products that way that they necessarily hold the same standards as you do. To be certain, look for labels like Energy Star, Good Housekeeping Green Seal and Forest Stewardship Council on the product. If you’re not sure about a particular company’s eco-friendly agenda, look for the manufacturer’s customer service contact and ask them directly.

Take it home in cotton. Plastic bags are not doing good things for our environment. So, when you’re purchasing smaller items such as groceries, arts and crafts and toiletries, opt for taking a bag made out of organic cotton to put your purchases in instead. They’re fairly cheap to buy and you can use them for months to come. That’s definitely a way to save money while doing a small part for our earth.

Clay Miller
the authorClay Miller
I am the creator/writer of Ways2GoGreen.com and Ways2GoGreenBlog.com. I'm an advocate for oceans, beaches, state parks. I enjoy all things outdoors (e.g. running, golf, gardening, hiking, etc.) I am a graduate of the University of Kentucky (Go Wildcats!!). I'm also a huge fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers. I was born and raised in the beautiful state of Kentucky.

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