:: By Corey Colwell-Lipson and Lynn Colwell with editing by Lisa Truesdale


If your vision of how you’d love to celebrate Earth Day doesn’t fit in your schedule or budget (or either) right now, look at it this way: In less time than it takes to drive to work or fry up that meatless bacon in a pan, you could finish any of these little projects that will save you cash and shrink your environmental footprint.

10 minutes

  • Put signs above faucets to remind your family to turn off the water when brushing their teeth. Saves 26,000 gallons of water.
  • Adjust your tire pressure. Eliminates 3.3% of your average MPG.
  • Turn your thermostat up two degrees higher than you normally keep it in summer. Or install a digital thermostat and program it to conserve energy when you’re away or asleep. Saves 10 to 15% off your cooling/heating bill.
  • Plug your TV, computer, cable box, stereo and game console into smart power strips. Saves 10% off your power bill.

30 minutes

  • Vacuum the coil on the fridge. Shaves 6% off your power bill.
  • Dry a load of laundry outside. No clothesline? Try a portable drying rack. Skipping the dryer can save an annual $135.
  • Put up a “shade sail” or radiant barrier over a window to block the sun’s heat. Slashes 12% off your heating/cooling bill.
  • Install a low-flow showerhead. Saves 18% off your water bill.

60 minutes

Gather the family and brainstorm what each of you can do to be more earth-friendly this year. Make it a contest with prizes!  READ ON FOR MORE….