Earth Day - Tips, Freebies, and Giveaways!

April 22nd is Earth day, a great holiday to try going green while saving money. Obviously, watching your energy intake and rate of consumption preserves the Earth and its resources, but saving money is a very welcome side effect.  Good for the planet, and good for you.

We've compiled a list of simple, green, lifestyle changes to you can make at home and at work, followed by a list of Earth Day Freebies, Contests, and Giveaways...

The tips:

Saving Energy & Water

• Unplug appliances and electronics when not in use,they still use a significant amount of energy even if switched to "off"
• Depending on the season, set your thermostat a few degrees above or below what your normally would. You won't notice the small difference.
• Install Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs) instead of normal light bulbs. These save you around $63 during their lifetime and they last 10 times longer than a traditional light bulb, and pay for themselves in about six months.
• Use a clothesline to dry clothes. Bonus is the great smelling laundry!
• Cut your shower time by about five minutes. This adds up over the course of a week, month, year, etc.
• Install a low flow showerhead.

Grocery and Eating

• Ban water bottles!- Get a water filter, these are available in either ones to install over your faucet or pitcher systems. Get a reusable water bottle to take on the go with you.
• Try going vegetarian at least one day a week, meat is expensive and very resource intensive. Beans are a great substitute for meat and contain protein and vitamins.
• Visit a local farmers market! These fruits and vegetables are often cheaper and contain less pesticide and more vitamins.
• Save your leftovers for additional meals., Get creative with these! Leftover meatloaf can be made into a meatloaf and cheese sandwich for lunch at the office
• Try growing your own fruits and vegetables.

Purchase less & Purchase smart

• Think twice before making any purchase, Do you really need it?
• Utilize your local library!- this saves ink, paper, and MONEY
• Borrow power tools, ladders, and other costly items you don't use all too often from your neighbors and friends. Just be sure to return the favor.
• Visit a thrift store. There are a number of "high-end" thrift stores that have gently used clothing and household items, many of them brand name.
• Try using Craigslist and other community-minded websites like Freecycle.org for just about everything from gardening supplies, to clothes, to moving boxes.
• Check your local newspaper for garage and estate sales.
• Buy in bulk! This cuts down on cost and packaging.

Use Less Gasoline

• Try walking or biking to work, school, or on errands. This does wonders for your health, the earth and your wallet.
• Talk your coworkers and see if you can set up a carpool or vanpool
• If your city has public transportation, get a bus or train pass. Along with the amount of money and energy you save by spending less on gasoline, you get to try a different and possibly more scenic route.

DIY cleaning supplies

• For an all purpose cleaner that is free of nasty chemicals mix 1/2 cup vinegar, 1/4 cup baking soda into 1/2 gallon of water. Store in a reusable spray bottle. This mixture does not leave your home smelling like a chemical plant, nor does it cost up to $5.00 for a mere 32 ounces.
• Ditch your air-freshener and keep your home clean. You can put lemon or orange rinds in the kitchen sink to keep it smelling fresh, leave bowls of fresh herbs and flowers around the house, simmer water with cinnamon on the stove or just mix baking soda, vinegar and lemon juice for a natural and wallet-friendly version.
• Clean vinyl and linoleum with a gallon of warm water, 1 cup vinegar and a few drops of baby oil.
• Get wood furniture shiny by mixing a few drops of lemon juice with warm water and wiping the surface.
• Remove rust by sprinkling salt on the area, and squeezing a lime on it. Let it soak for at least 2 hours, then use the rind from the lime to scrub it away
• Clean shoes with olive oil mixed with a small amount of lemon juice.

Family Entertainment

• Take the family out for a day at the local public pool, admission is generally less than $5.00 per adult, compared to as much as $40.00 at waterparks
• Check in with your local library to see if they have a book club or youth program, most do and organize classes by age. This is a great way to get a break and let your children mingle with their peers.
• Make lunch to go and hang out at the park, whens the last time you went on a family picnic?
• Try a local museum, even if you've visited in the past the exhibits are ever-changing.
• Organize a neighborhood bike ride

...And now for the freebies and giveaways!

The links below are to contests, sweepstakes and giveaways in the name of Earth Day 2009. Hey, no harm in entering right? Somebodys gotta win...

• Modish Earth Day Giveaway
• Amazon/EnergyStar Earth Day Sweepstakes
• Eco Office Gals Giveaway
• Organic Earth Day Sweepstakes
• Earth Day Giveaway @ Calypso Studios
• Our Big Earth Rainy-Day Book Club
• Bookloons Earth Day Giveaway
• Drey's Library Earth Day Giveaway
• Groovy Green Filter For Good Giveaway

Best of luck, and HAPPY EARTH DAY.