5 Ways To Make Green Financial Decisions
Dated: October 31, 2018
After you’ve mastered making your home eco-friendly inside and outside, you can apply your new sustainable lifestyle nearly anywhere. The next thing you can do is make your wallet more green by changing the way you spend. Use these tips to get started.
Switch Your Banking To E-Statements
Opting for electronic statements through your financial institution can cut back on paper waste. While one sheet of paper a month may not seem so bad, it adds up. If just 20% of U.S. households committed to online bill pay and enrolled in paperless statements, 1.8 million trees could be preserved per year. Be sure to switch as many accounts as possible to digital statements, plus some companies may even reward you for doing so.
Ask Your Financial Institution How They Are Green
Most people have the option to choose where they bank, or which company they have a credit card through. Don’t be afraid to ask in which ways banks or credit unions are environmentally responsible to select the one that best matches your eco-friendly outlook. For example, at Evergreen Credit Union we print on 100% post-consumer recycled content, run our operations on 100% renewable energy with limited carbon emissions, are zero-waste, have a solar array on-site, monitor our water usage and have an ENERGY STAR certified building just to name a few.
Learn To Repair And Repurpose
What’s the easiest way to save money? By not spending it! Learning how to repair your broken or worn out items such as a lamp or sweater is a great way to extend a product’s life and to stave off having to buy something new. While your first thought might be to turn on your computer and look up how-tos online, consider asking friends and family first if they have the expertise to teach you, or visit your local library (on foot or by bike preferred) to see if they have a how-to book.
Consider Visiting Green Destinations On Your Next Vacation.
In Wisconsin it’s easy to find an eco-friendly destination with Travel Green Wisconsin. As their website touts, these locations are working hard to reduce their impact on the Earth. By giving them your patronage, your activities have less of a cumulative impact by cutting the amount of carbon, water, and consumption in your choices. Of course, finding a green way to get there is just as important.
Buy And Shop Local
While online marketplaces are highly appealing, take the time to visit your local farmers market, craft fair or secondhand boutique first. Buying local helps reduce the number of miles a product travels, and secondhand or handcrafted items may use less water and raw materials to create. When buying food, even if you can’t make it to the farmers market, try to take a moment to buy produce and products that grow in your country to reduce food miles and cut the amount of carbon involved in your meal. Visit the United States Department of Agriculture website to learn how to identify your food’s state of origin.
When you’re ready to get serious about making your wallet green, Evergreen Credit Union has the resources to help. One of our knowledgeable loan officers can help you explore your options, including speciality loans for hybrid vehicles and solar arrays. Call (920) 729-2999 or stop by to make an appointment today. Membership is open to everyone who lives or works in Outagamie, Waupaca, Waushara, Calumet, or Winnebago counties. By becoming a member of Evergreen Credit Union you will be giving back to the environment and supporting your sustainable lifestyle.
