Here are just three green ways to save you money at the grocery store:

Buy Generic
The store brand is still a brand, but it’s better than the name brand for more than just its price. Generic or “store brand” groceries usually have the same ingredients and are made the same way as their brand name counterparts. They’re cheaper not because they’re poorer (or any different at all) in taste, quality, or freshness. They’re cheaper because they have a lower overhead, saving big – for starters – on the advertising costs big brand names eat up. Why pay for a bunch of advertising (an industry far from green) just so you can eat? Ridiculous! Go generic. It’s cheaper, it tastes the same, and you’re not paying a Hollywood crew to film a 30-second Prime Time commercial spot.

Buy Local
Every product’s packaging says where it was grown and/or made. When you buy groceries grown or made anywhere but in your own backyard (your town, county, state) you pay for shipping and transportation. This is bad for the environment because of gas emissions from shipping and transportation. And it’s bad for your local economy because you’re sending your money out of town and out of state – where the jobs may soon not be far behind. Read the label (or the sign above the loose produce) and buy from growers and manufacturers nearest you.

Make a List & Stick to It
This should be rule number one for any shopping trip if you want to save maximum dollars. You’d be amazed (or maybe you wouldn’t) at how much money you spend on items you didn’t intend to buy when you left home or work to go shopping. Those impulse items add up, outing after outing. Make a list before you leave the house and buy only those items on the list. You will save yourself loads of dough doing this. Believe me! (This tip may not sound green, but buying things you don’t really need generates excess energy and uses excess resources.)

Solar power and wind power are a lot sexier, but there are a number of small changes you can make in your home to save yourself money month after month.  By making your home more energy efficient you can save hundreds of dollars a year on utilities and related costs.

• Put a timer on your hot water heater. If you’re like most folks, chances are you’re only home using hot water in the mornings and evenings, so all you need are a couple hours of hot water at each end of the day to cover almost all of your hot water needs. Why waste all that extra gas or electricity – not to mention money – keeping that tank of water hot all the rest of the day and night?
• Buy Energy Star certified appliances, or similar energy efficient appliances – including dishwashers, washer/dryers, ranges, humidifiers/dehumidifiers, heating and air conditioning systems, and more. The cost savings you’ll get on monthly bills more than makes up for the purchase cost.
• Replace all your light bulbs with LEDs or compact florescents. They use less electricity for the same wattage of light, and they last longer than conventional bulbs.
• Look into financial incentives you may be eligible for through your local, state, or the federal government for making certain energy efficient improvements to your home. For example, some electric companies pay you to buy the surplus electricity you generate with your solar panels.

Lastly, an energy efficient home is also one that runs as an energy-efficient household. That means:

• turning off lights when you leave a room and turning off the television, computer, or other appliances and electronics when you’re not using them
• minimizing trips to town by bundling errands together and carpooling to save both on gas costs and wear and tear on your vehicle(s)