Going Green Guide: Scenario #2

This is the method I’ll call, throwing money at it (throwing money at problems doesn’t usually help them all that much). This scenario is more for people who have some disposable income and want to try a more expensive but easier method of saving the planet.

Step 1

Goals

This is pretty much the same as before. You want to sit down and write out a list of goals and a budget in which you can spend money on things to help you go green.

Step 2

Research & Motivation

Again not much different than the other scenario only you could buy used copies of the DVDs and books and loan them out when you are done. A possible movie to watch for things that can be done with money is Carbon Nation.

Step 3

Jumping In

Once you know how much money you can spend and on what, spend it. You can do things like switching all of the power you get from your local utility over to renewable power.

After getting a home energy audit, fill in all the insulation that needs it and see if you can’t upgrade to a more efficient central heating and cooling unit. Once your house is sealed up and heated and cooled more efficiently see about adding some addition power sources: solar panels, wind turbines, or if you haven’t bought a new heating and cooling unit buy a geothermal one. Change your hot water heater out for a solar hybrid unit.*

AO Smith Cirrex Solar Hot Water Heater

Replace your cars for hybrids or electric cars.

Start recycling if you haven’t already.

Cover your pool when you are not using it.

Replace some of your lawn with native plants that are drought tolerant.

Step 4

Reduce & Replace

Try not to buy as much new stuff but if you do donate your old stuff to Goodwill or the Salvation Army.

Switch out all of your foods for organics and cut down on red meat.

Switch out all of your household cleaners for greener options. Same goes for personal hygiene and cosmetics.

If you buy items like new floors go with bamboo hardwood (carpet is just terrible for so many reasons). You can get Bamboo cabinets form AlterECO. And you can top them off with recycled glass countertops by Vetrazzo. There are just so many good option out there if you have the extra dough to buy it.

A Vetrazzo countertop

Step 5

Buy Stuff

Okay this is a little different than last time. But there are tons of crafty people on things like pinterest and etsy that are making upcycled things and need customers to buy them so do it. The same goes for all of the green products that are being made. They will only continue to be made if someone buys them so buy them. This is a big way in which you can use your wallet to save the world.

Photo courtesy of here

Step 6

Check on your goals and see what else you could be doing. Who knows, now maybe you want to try your hand at gardening or at making some of your own stuff.

Find a good charity to give some of your money to. It doesn’t have to be green it just has to be good.

Step 7

Enjoy your life and work with the others that go about it differently than you. We are all on the same side and we all have the same goal.

*If you are designing or renovating an old house these are some good things to keep in mind while building and figuring into the final cost.