Many people still think that living and loving the green life costs money, plenty of it.  Well, nothing can be farther from the truth.  Of course, you will spend money when you replace your incandescent bulbs with fluorescent lights, when you install residential solar and wind power facilities and when you install low-flow faucets, to name a few examples, but all these inexpensive green investments will pay for themselves sooner than later.

You can actually earn green dollars by living and loving the green side of things.  How’s that for loving the environment and loving your pockets at the same time?

Recycle and Resell

This is by far the fastest and easiest, not to mention probably the most profitable, way to earn green dollars.  You just look through your attic, basement and garage to determine which of your junk items you can sell for profit over many venues.  Don’t worry about not selling any of your junk for indeed the adage about one man’s trash being another man’s treasure is very, very true.

* Recycle your old mobile phones through various independent recycling schemes on the Internet like Fonebank and Envirofone.  You can also ask the manufacturers for their recycling schemes.  Your earnings will depend on the scheme although $20 is not bad for an old unit.

* Recycle old computer games, CDs and DVDs, which will definitely lessen the 2,500 tons of discarded similar items each year filling up the landfills.  Again, your earnings will vary depending on the recycling site’s policies.

* Recycle your old books, clothes and other stuff through yard sales and online auction sites like eBay.

You will find that not only did you lessen the clutter in your home but you also earned bucks in the process.  Not bad for a day’s work!

Avail of the Clunkers for Cash Program

This is a government program that allows car owners to trade in their old cars for a cash incentive, which can then be used to purchase a new car.  Now, that’s earning money from disposing of an old motor with high carbon emissions while getting the opportunity to drive new wheels.  Not just any car, however, as you want to purchase an eco-friendly one.  Think of a fuel-efficient model that’s just right for the size of your family.

Grow and Sell Your Own Produce

Organic backyard gardening is the way to go in reducing your food costs and your carbon footprints.  You don’t even need a big backyard since you can always try growing fruits, vegetables and herbs in pots and containers as well as go into hydroponics gardening.  Now, if you have the backyard for it, you can always sell your excess produce and earn money in the process.  You may either set up a stall in front of your house or sell at local events or contact local farmers.

Earning green bucks for your efforts in green living is but a welcome bonus.  The most important thing is that you are doing your share of protecting and preserving the environment that, admittedly, you are but a caretaker of for future generations.

Photo by: Stuart Miles -
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