On and on again, we are always reminded of being environmentally-friendly in order to save our Mother Earth. This reminder is even more resounding these days as the earth is becoming more and more polluted as time goes by. Thus, government and private agencies as well continue to work and disseminate information on how to be environmentally-friendly. Unless you’re a dedicated and die-hard earth saver, here are some small but really helpful tips in taking care of the environment…and our money!

DON’T SLEEP. SHUT DOWN. I’m not talking about you (hehe). I’m referring to your computer. I believe I’m not alone in this habit – turning your computer into stand by or hibernate mode instead of completely shutting it down especially if we’re going out for a while and will be back right away. No sense turning it off when we’ll only be gone for a while, right? Wrong! Computers use up more than 1,000 kilowatts of electricity when we leave it running the whole day! Shutting it down completely saves up on electricity and the possibility of overload. Not only are you helping the environment, but your budget as well as you don’t have to buy a new computer anymore in case it gets destroyed by over-use.

MUG ME. Develop the habit of bringing your own tumbler or mug to your workplace. This way, you prevent using plastic or disposable cups that not only harm the environment but cost another extra to your daily budget.

ENVIRONMENTALLY FASHIONABLE?! Clean up your closet! If you have clothes, shoes, bags and other things that you don’t use or like anymore, no sense letting them stay in your drawers. Not only are you wasting up space for a new wardrobe that you might start investing in, but you’re also losing the chance of being generous and charitable by giving them to people who need it more. It could be your siblings, friends, or neighbors, or you can even give them to charity and earn happiness and pride points by helping your less fortunate fellowmen:)

BAG IT. Nowadays, stores have such fancy packaging for their products that we end up keeping not only the goods we bought but also the bag itself for future use. But how much of these fancy bags do we actually use? Don’t they just end up being stacked in our drawers instead? Try bringing your own tote bag or have the store wrap your purchases in recycled paper or biodegradable plastic (if available). Not only are you helping the environment, but you’re being creative and original as well!

WASTE NOT, WANT NOT. There are so many other ways we can help save the environment even in our own, little ways. Reuse glass containers as pen and/ or pencil holders at home or office. You can decorate it with art materials available in your home to make it more pretty and original. Print on scratch paper. Think twice before throwing away bottles, books and other stuff as they can be recycled for other and better use. If we can only be creative and diligent enough, we will surprise even ourselves on what we can do to reuse and recycle otherwise useless things – and end up saving precious Mother Earth…and yes, even our own money! So go ahead and start saving the environment, save your money!