Tip 1:
"Green" your laundry.
Detergents, fabric softeners and bleaches can be toxic to your family and to the environment. Some surfactants and fragrances in laundry detergents contain hormone-disrupting chemicals that can't always be removed by wastewater treatment plants and end up harming local wildlife. Chlorine bleach is not only poisonous for humans, but can create dangerous byproducts, such as dioxin, when flushed down the drain. Get your clothes clean without all of the pollution by switching to eco-friendlier cleaners. The companies Ecover, Sun & Earth, Seventh Generation and OxyPrime make less-toxic alternatives to traditional laundry detergents. Try nonchlorine bleach such as OxyBoost or Ecover's hydrogen peroxide-based option.
$ Factor:
The eco-friendlier detergents and bleaches cost no more than standard products.
Tip 136:
Get your bank statement electronically.
If you're worried about computer hackers, don't. Most banks send you an e-mail with a link to a secure Web site where you can check your balance.
$ Factor:
Instant Internet access means you can quickly see if your bank account is dangerously low, which could end up costing you low-balance or insufficient funds charges. And by reducing your traditional statement collection, you save paper, which means you help save trees.
Tip 140:
Donate clothing and household goods.
Donate clothing and household goods to the environmental nonprofit of your choice. Many charitable groups, including those dedicated to saving the planet, will take such gifts.
$ Factor:
On the pro-environment side, the organization can sell the items in its thrift shop, producing needed income to keep operating. As for your finances, such donations are as tax-deductible as cash gifts to approved groups. Just make sure the donated items are in good or better shape or the IRS could disallow the deduction.
Tip 153:
Improve your home's energy efficiency.
You don't have to go crazy; simple things such as fans, insulated windows and doors, wall or attic insulation, and even window film can cut your residential energy costs.
$ Factor:
In addition to making your home more comfortable year-round and lowering your heating and cooling bills, many common home improvements are eligible for a tax credit on your federal return. Some states also offer similar tax credits. The one-time tax savings range from $50 to $2,000. The lifetime savings could be many times that.
One warning: Many of the common home improvement tax breaks are set to expire at the end of 2007. To guarantee you get the credit on your 2007 return, make the eligible energy improvements by Dec. 31.
--Bankrate
