Most of us don’t link protecting the environment with protecting our finances. But, the reality is that there is some correlation between the two. In fact, even though we are in a global economy crisis, we can actually save lots of money by making our lives more environmentally friendly and following these simple little tips:

Don’t use electric dryers unless you absolutely have to. You could hang up your clothes that come from the washing machine and let them air dry for free! Simply put up a clotheslines and let them drip dry with the sun or in a “safe place” like your bathroom or garage. You can buy for cheap anything that you need to get started like clothespins, a long rope or clotheslines, a hammer and nail, or retractable clothesline.

If you don’t do a lot of drying with your electric dryer, just hanging your clothing up could greatly reduce the amount of money that you spend each month running the dryer. Clothes are almost dry when they come out of the washing machine anyway. So, hang them up and save some money.

Walk, ride, or skateboard wherever you need to go while the economy crisis is looming. Not only will your body get all of the great advantages from this form of exercise, but you will also save money and our environment. Gas prices are ever-changing, so it can be difficult for a family to figure out their exact gas budget, anyway.

The other thing about gas is that it gives off very bad toxins that affect our air and our environment. If you have a big vehicle, you need a lot of gas to operate it and your vehicle probably gives off loads of emissions. During this economy crisis and, really any time, it is best to use different travel alternatives. So, get a little exercise in and enjoy the financial savings from not buying all of that gas. Plus, you will feel even better physically, which is worth a mint!

Find alternative uses for some of life’s basics like newspaper and store shopping bags. Instead of trying to find ways get garbage bags that you can buy for cheap, re-use those plastic store bags. Some may say that it is better to just get a cloth shopping bag, but it can kind of balance out environmentally if people would just re-use those plastic store bags, which are almost always bio-degradable, for collecting their families daily trash.

Get the most of newspaper also. From gift wrap to stuffing packages to absorbing odors in shoes and food containers, newspaper has many, many uses. So, instead of just throwing it away, use it and save on things like fabric freshening sprays and window wipes…newspaper is fantastic for cleaning windows!

Going green help our environment, but it can also help your family’s budget. During this economy crisis, think of ways that you can save and get creative about it. We all need to finds ways to buy for cheap and to get even more out of what we use. Don’t be afraid to research and experiment. In the end, the money that you save and knowing that you have done something for the environment will make you and your family very happy and personally satisfied.