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Saving the Earth and saving money do not have to be mutually exclusive endeavors. Jen Smith, author of the successful financial blog MillionaireMommyNextDoor.com, recommends starting with the five big budget busters.

Transportation
According to www.AAAexchange.com, it costs $9,369 on average for a person to drive his sedan 15,000 miles per year. This creates more than seven tons of carbon dioxide, which contributes to worldwide global warming.

Smith recommends downsizing to one car per family and using bikes, public transportation and carpooling to get around. “When my husband and I met, we each owned a car,” recalls Smith. “We sold one to pay for our wedding and realized we didn’t need the second car. That was 22 years ago.” Smith estimates that by sharing one car for the next 22 years, her family could save an additional $718,434 by investing their annual savings and earning an 8 percent annual rate of return.

Housing
“Don’t confuse needs with wants,” says Smith. According to the 2008 US Census, the average size of the American home is around 2400 sq. ft. In the 1950s, the average size home was between 900 and 1000 sq ft–roughly the size of a three-car garage. “We live in a home that is 1400 sq. ft. with a one-car garage. Our home fits the size and the needs of our family. We save money and environmental resources because we use less energy and need less stuff.”

“In our neighborhood, we share amenities,” says Smith. Open space, play equipment, tools, lawnmowers and snow blowers can all be shared amongst neighbors. Sharing saves money, builds community and helps the environment. 

Tax credits
“Take advantage of tax credits,” advises Smith. You can get credit for college tuition and supplies, taking mass transit, replacing your appliances with energy efficient ones and insulating your home just to name a few. For a comprehensive list of tax credits for energy efficiency, visit www.energystar.gov.

“Don’t forget to visit your local city Web site as well,” suggests Smith. The Fort Collins Utilities Department offers rebates for refrigerator and freezer recycling as well as credits for purchasing Energy Star appliances. Go to www.fcgov.com.

Families or individuals that live in Greeley at least 10 months out of the year and meet certain income guidelines could qualify for the City of Greeley’s Food Tax Rebate program. For more information, call 350-9748.

Health care
Health Care insurance can be a big budget buster but if you practice preventive health care you can save money.

“This is where the little stuff you do adds up to big savings,” says Smith. “We stay healthy by eating organic foods and biking rather than taking our car. We keep our house toxin-free by cleaning with simple solutions made from vinegar and baking soda. Our soaps and lotions don’t contain chemicals that could endanger our health. We use VOC-free paints and we take off our shoes when entering our house to keep from tracking fertilizers or pesticides into our home. Because we practice preventive health care, our medical needs are minimal. This allows us to take on a higher deductible and lower our insurance premium, which saves us money.” 

Entertainment
“When it comes to entertainment, free is the way to go,” says Smith. According to a recent survey by the Department of Labor, the average American family spends $2,698 of their annual paycheck on entertainment.

If you are looking for ways to trim your entertainment budget, check out your local library. Where else can you borrow movies, books, magazines and CDs or attend programs, concerts and plays for free? Sharing resources with others saves energy and money.

If you are still not convinced that a sustainable lifestyle is affordable, Smith recommends reading “Simple Prosperity: Finding Real Wealth In A Sustainable Lifestyle” by David Wann. We can afford to live green. What we can’t afford to do is nothing.