• Drive less. Transportation contributes to 30 percent of all carbon emissions. Combine errands in a single trip; carpool; take a power walk to the supermarket!
• Turning down your water heater setting just 2 degrees equates to big savings.
  
• Buy a fuel-efficient car.
• Don’t heat more water than you need to make a cup of tea or coffee.
• Find out what your city or town recycles, and fill your bin every week.
• Save water one flush at a time—fill a one-liter plastic jug with water and submerge it in the toilet tank. You’ll save thousands of liters of water annually.
• Take a shorter shower. Showers consume approximately 1/5 of the water used indoors.
• Microwave more. It uses about 70 percent less energy than a conventional oven.
• Before discarding empty paint cans, allow the remaining paint to dry completely with the top off. Latex paint isn’t hazardous once it’s solidified.
• Buy local whenever possible.
• Carry reusable shopping bags in your car for convenience.
• Choose products with minimal packaging.
• Save paper. Pay your bills online, and sign up for online statements.

tips for eating healthy on a budget

• Buy in bulk—You’ll save money and reduce packaging.
• Freeze it—Prepare meals in larger batches and freeze leftovers in reusable containers. 
• Buy frozen fruit and veggies—They last longer, are less expensive and typically have the same nutritional content as fresh.
• Buy Hannaford brand foods that earn Guiding Stars®. You’ll find lots of nutritious options, reasonably priced.
• Buy whole grains and beans—They’re not only nutrient dense, they are also only pennies per serving.

Seven Energy-Efficient Tips for Saving Money

• Use a programmable thermostat to conserve energy while you’re asleep or away.
• Open your curtains during daylight hours to take advantage of free solar heat.
• Switch to compact fluorescent lightbulbs—They use about 75 percent less energy and last up to ten times longer than standard incandescent bulbs.
• Choose a laptop over a desktop computer to cut your energy use in half.
• Clean your refrigerator’s gaskets and condenser coils twice a year.
• Wash your laundry in cold water.
• Unplug appliances. Even when turned off, appliances can still use electricity, an estimated 6–26 percent of your bill.

Five Tips for Less Pain at the Pump

• Drive at 55—Driving at 55 miles per hour burns ten percent less fuel than at 65, according to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. At 70 you lose 17 percent of your fuel economy and at 75 it’s 25 percent. (If the national speed limit were reset to 55, it would save one billion barrels of oil per year. Source: thedailygreen.com)
• Shift as soon as you can—Traveling at fast speeds in low gears can consume up to 45 percent more fuel than necessary.
• Steady as she goes—Slowing down or speeding up wastes fuel.
• Don’t idle—If you’re stopping longer than a minute, shut her down.
• Stay tuned—Regular tune-ups ensure optimal economy; follow recommended routine service checks.