For years, children have learned the importance of the three R’s in school – reduce, reuse and recycle. Now it’s time for those lessons to make their way home and begin to change the way your family lives, and saves. Use this helpful guide to learn how you can reduce, reuse and recycle to save money, energy and a whole lot more.

Reduce.

Reducing your home’s energy consumption not only reduces your carbon footprint on the globe, but also reduces the cost of heating, cooling and all the other ways you keep your home running smoothly. Here are a few ways to save money and energy in your house throughout the year:

• Buy energy efficient appliances. Look for the Energy Star label when replacing outdated or energy-wasting appliances. This government-issued label ensures appliances like dishwashers,dryers and refrigerators, are operating efficiently and not wasting valuable energy. Purchasing even one energy-efficient appliance could save you up to 25 percent of your annual energy bill, which makes these appliances a great addition to your home.

• Program it. Install a programmable thermostat that only turns on your heat when the temperature within your home drops below 68°F. On the flip side, only turn on your air conditioning when the temperature exceeds 78°F. These two changes alone can save you a hundred dollars a year, or more, on heating and cooling costs.

• Turn down the heat. Replace an old water heater with one that doesn’t store hot water but heats the water your family uses on demand. However, if you can’t afford to replace your water heater, set it to 120°F, which is a bit cooler than normal but ensures you’re not heating more water than necessary.

Reuse.

There are many ways to reuse products in order to save the planet and the money in your wallet. What one deems “garbage” can be quite useful to another. Consider these ways to reuse products, materials and resources as you create a home you can be even more proud of:

• Shop used. Whether you’re looking for secondhand furniture at a flea market, old kitchen cabinets at a charity shop or clothes from your favorite vintage store, thrift shopping is a great way to save money. It’s also a great “green” alternative to give a second life to valued objects otherwise thrown away. Remember the saying, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” In
order to find the next treasure for your home, you’ll have to look for it.

•Give it away. On the flip side, instead of tossing your old furniture, clothes, appliances and even old cars, you can give them away. Donate to your favorite charity like the Salvation Army. Many of these charities will even pick up your donations to save you time and hassle. Also, some charities offer tax deductions for your donations, which can save you hundreds of dollars when tax season rolls around.

Recycle.

Recycling is a great way to teach your children how they can do their part to save the planet. However, recycling isn’t just about having your kids separate your paper waste from the aluminum and glass in your garbage can. Here are a couple of feasible ways to recycle within your home:

• Use solar power. Recycle the sun’s energy into useable solar power in your home and installsolar panels on your roof. The initial costs can be expensive, so consider a home equity loan or home equity line of credit to help finance the upfront costs. Create the efficient home you’ve always imagined with the help of your home’s equity. Then, after deducting the cost of the actual panels and installation, you’re sure to see valuable savings within months, especially during the summer or if you live somewhere that gets a lot of direct sunlight.

• Recycle water. Not only should you do your best to limit the amount of water waste in your home, but also learn ways you can recycle the water you already use. Whether through watering house plants with water used to cook your pasta dinner or installing rain barrels to catch the water from your roof and gutters, there are many ways to save water and at the same time save money on your water bill.

However your family decides to reduce, reuse or recycle within your home, you’ll soon see your hard work pay off. Through money savings, energy savings and more, there’s never been a better time to put the three R’s to work for you and your household!

There is no need to break the bank in the process of sending your student back to college at the end of summer. With a little forethought, there are many ways to cut back on expenses.

Rent Texts Whenever Possible
Within the last couple of years, a number of college text rental options have opened up on the Internet. These services rent most texts that are required for the major universities for a fraction of their retail or even used costs. Most are willing to order texts if they can’t be found in their catalogs.

Buy Personal Items in Bulk
College students go through an abundance of toiletry items during the course of a term. Shopping for certain items in bulk will ensure that your student will stay supplied for the entire term and save money in the process. Items such as extra toothpaste, hair products, deodorant, shaving supplies, toilet paper and other things can be found in bulk quantities at warehouse-type discount stores.

Layer the Linens
Most dorms require students to provide their own linens. Two sets of extra-long, all-cotton sheets and pillowcases should be enough for the bed. If the student winters in a cold climate, make one set flannel. A light blanket and a heavier bedspread or comforter that allows for layering is the best way to stay warm on cold winter nights without having to buy expensive wool blankets.

Eat on the Cheap
Send your college student back to campus with an ample supply of dried and instant foods such as ramen noodles that do not require refrigeration. When students spend their food money on just a few fresh fruits and vegetables each day to go with the dried or instant foods, they will end up saving hundreds of dollars per semester.

Avoid Fancy Coffee Houses
If your student is a coffee drinker, providing him or her with an electric coffee pot can also save a lot of money. Fancy coffee house drinks can run between $2.50 and $3.50 per day. That adds up to around $280 per semester or $560 per year!

Use Prepaid Cell Phones
Provide college students with prepaid cell phones to avoid expensive overage charges on minutes and text messages.

Shop for Student Specials on Computers
It is hard to get by without a computer in college. However, many stores offer student specials in the form of discounted computers. Begin with your college’s bookstore or computer lab. They usually keep tabs on these types of resources.

Lower Your Recreation and Entertainment Costs
Most colleges and universities offer a plethora of free entertainment. Urge your student to take advantage of these events when possible. Also, rather than paying for a cable subscription for television or to go to the movie, they can rent movies or watch many television programs online.

Take Public Transportation
Public transportation is the way to go for college students. Forget about the upkeep and gas expenses of having a car on campus. Public transportation is cheaper, safe, and better for the environment.

Seek Out Student Discounts
Many college towns offer student discounts for an array of services. Students should inquire at restaurants, fitness centers, and so forth to take advantage of student discounts whenever possible.

With a few changes to their daily routine, college students can save hundreds of even thousands per year!