Beat Wall Street, Go Green!

By: Rachel Tanis

If the ever discouraging economic headlines has you feeling blue, change your tune and go green! It can seem overwhelming to hear all about the perils and woes of our economy, especially if you are in the job market or new to your company. However, going green can actually save you some serious coin. Consider these green solutions and watch your savings climb, even if Wall Street’s isn’t…

-Bundle Up! Turn the thermostat down and bundle up. Nothing is more romantic than snuggling with your special someone under a pile of blankets, while the snow outside blankets the ground. Take advantage of the season and turn down your costly (and un-eco-friendly) furnace. If you can’t admit that you’re doing it for the environment, blame it on your love-life!

-Share! Remember the saying that everything you needed to know you learned in kindergarten? In economically challenging times, the saying couldn’t be truer. Begin a program at work or school in which you and your colleagues bring in books, CD’s, DVD’s, even VHS tapes and exchange them. Not only is the service free but it’s also eco-friendly since there is no added miles to run to the video store.

-Stay Home! Want to impress your boss? Approach him or her with an ingenuous idea, as long as it suits your line of work. Ask to have a day when you and your colleagues work from home. This can be as often as everyday or as little as one day a week or month. The company saves money since the doors are closed and lights and heat are off, while helping employees reduce their carbon footprints by shutting down the commute. Plus, who doesn’t want to go to work in the pajamas?

-Pack It! If you’ve ever worked in a cafeteria or the food service industry you know just how much plastic and preservatives it takes to get a meal from the supplier to the kitchen to your table. The same is true of your lunch. So, pack your lunch in re-usable containers that cut down on your waste and the un-green chemicals. Not to mention, packing your lunch will make your wallet much greener!