Go Green Tip for the Day: Car Pooling!

Hey everyone and welcome back to the Going Green & the Benefits You Receive Blog!  I am here today to present a great tip for everyone to use that is cost friendly, eco-friendly and can actually help build relationships! That tip is - Car Pooling! 

 

I know that we have all talked and thought about doing this with our friends and family, but how many actually do it?  These situations are perfect for strengthening the relationships with our loved ones, saving money on gas and we lower our emissions to the environment!

How to set up a car pooling activity:
Contact your friends that you go to school with.  This is great for high school and college students.  I actually car pooled with my friend for an entire semester - he drove one week, I drove the next.  There are 15 weeks in the semester so he ended up driving 8 weeks and me 7.  The normal commute (both ways) was 21 miles or about $2.50 each day.  Multiply that by 4 = $10 each week.  Instead of me spending $150+  for driving to class, I spent only $70 (good estimate), Saving me over half of the cost of driving that semester.  pretty good huh?

How about this for a better example, that I wish I could have done:
Find 3 people, instead of 2, that have similar class schedules.  Therefore you drive only 5 weeks per person.  Normal, by yourself = $150/Semester putting (21x4x15) 1,260 miles on your car OR with 3 people = $50/Semester putting (21x4x5) 420 miles on your car.  Not only will you save gas money, but you are actually lowering your next date with the oil change service and new tires!

Now this can work in extremely situations with your work/office commute, picking up children from school, grocery shopping etc.

Do the earth and yourself a favor by setting up a carpool activity, go green and experience the amazing benefits you can receive!  Thanks for reading!  Anyone have similar real-life examples as mine above?  Please share!

Federal Tax Credits for Being Energy Efficient #1

Hey Everyone!  I wanted to update everyone on recent Federal Tax Credits that are currently in Place.  This will be the first blog of a series to help describe the benefits of going green, the costs you can save and the tax breaks you receive come busy season!  Enjoy!

This quote is taken from the Department of energy

"HOME ENERGY EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENT TAX CREDITS
Consumers who purchase and install specific products, such as energy-efficient windows, insulation, doors, roofs, and heating and cooling equipment in existing homes can receive a tax credit for 30% of the cost, up to $1,500, for improvements "placed in service" starting January 1, 2009, through December 31, 2010. See EnergyStar.gov's Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency for a complete summary of energy efficiency tax credits available to consumers."

Recycling!

This may sound crazy, but recycling is a great way not only to go green, but to save money.  How in the world can you save money if you recycle things, such as paper, cardboard, plastics etc?  Quite easy actually.

How much do you usually pay your garbage pickup?  I know you have the number in your head.  How much could you save if you downsized your trash can that is being used?  Oh really?  That Much?  Pretty good over a years time I'd Say.

Recycling can save you money, by taking things to a recycle center or a public place that has a recycle container for those type of goods (universities, most schools, etc., online has a vast amount of information!) and then reducing/trading in your current trash container for one of the smaller ones!

There you go!  I think our neighborhood has an unlimited price for around $20 per month or it can be 2 bags for around $8.  If you recycle, that is so much garbage you can eliminate that you would not need an unlimited service.  Recycle, throw less away, clean the Earth more and put more in your pocket!  Enjoy!

-Lanny B.

There are actually sites that pay you to recycle!  Here it is: Recycling Sites that Pay!