Here are five simple things you can do help save the planet and your cash:

1. Contain Yourself, or Not
Plant an herb garden. Even if you don’t have a garden, you can still plant herbs in a pot or window box in your kitchen. Imagine saving money while enjoying your parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme.

2. Two Degrees of Separation
If everyone added two degrees to their air conditioning in the summer, and subtracted two degrees from their heating in the winter, the cumulative impact would be significant.

3. Go Dry
Find ways to plant using less water. Try hardier plants and use mulch to retain moisture. Better yet, garden in ways that conserve or eliminate water: try xeriscaping. 

4. Change Your Bulbs
No, I don’t mean tulips. Switch to highly efficient compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) that last for years. You can save energy while cutting your energy bill. And if time is energy, then consider the time you save changing those bulbs when they burn out.

5. Save Money Being Cool
Turn down your water heater to 120 degrees. For each ten degrees reduction in water temperature, you can save 3-5% in energy costs. Use the money you save to plant a garden, grow your own food, and save even more money on groceries.