5 Ways to Cut Expenses, Make Some Cash and Help Our Environment

In these economic times, many are looking for ways to cut their expenses and maybe even pocket a little cash along the way. Here are five suggestions to save a little, make a little and live a little more environmentally aware lives.

1. Recycle aluminum cans. When we started saving cans to recycle I was amazed at the number of them. We hung a trash bag on a nail in the garage and started filling it up. In a matter of a few months we have accumulated 9 bags of smashed cans. Depending on the current price for aluminum in your area, those nine bags should bring in around $30 or more. It was easy to save them and easy to store them if we smashed them weekly. The time spent was minimal and we have a recycling company near our home. Try this and you will be keeping our world a little greener and put a few dollars in your pocket.

2. This approriately follows for obvious reasons: Drink tap water. New studies show that bottled water is not any better than tap, in fact, some studies are showing bottled water as an unhealthy choice. The standards for the bottling companies are unregulated and are being proven to have unsafe levels of some contaminants. Unless your tap water comes from a contaminated source, the best choice is to turn on the faucet. If taste is a factor, invest in a tap filter. You still will come out ahead financially and, thinking green, you will be doing your part to reduce the number of plastic containers in trash piles. If you are only comfortable with bottled water, recycle the bottles.

3. Have a garage sale. Our street is having a garage sale next Saturday. We will all have a chance to make a few bucks, clean out a few closets and peruse each others treasures. To guarantee a good turnout, we are advertising on Craigslist and another local free advertising venue. If you don't think you have enough "treasure", have a family member or friend bring some items over. Most everyone has a few things they'd love to get rid of. After the sale, contact a local charity to donate what is left. You get an additional tax write-off and have helped the charitable organization that relys on donations. Plus, you will have added some green to your wallet.

4. Got books, CDs, DVDs, magazines, or video games you no longer use? Find a resale shop that specializes in those items. They will buy them from you or issue a store credit if there is something in the store that you have your heart set on. Once more, you will have recycled.

5. Host a party. What? How can you save money by hosting a party? If there is an item you need or desire that is sold by a company that uses home parties to sell its wares, go for it. There are parties for most everything including kitchen aids (Pampered Chef is my favorite), candles, toys, lingerie, home decor and jewelry to name just a few. Get on the Internet and see what is out there. Chances are you can line up a party, place a few snacks and coffee in the room and earn well over $100 in free merchandise.

I personally have done these 5 things and have never been disappointed. If you have any ideas to add, please leave them in the comments below.