AS the economy struggles and it seems there are cuts around every corner it's only natural for everybody to tighten their belts and think how they can make savings. But rather than harming the environment in many cases it really helps the green cause. Over-consumption and excess waste hurt the planet as much as our pockets.
9. Don''t fancy finishing a bottle of wine but reluctant to waste it (or worse, force yourself to drink it!)? Pour the leftover wine into an ice cube tray and put in the freezer. Then add a cube or two when you''re next cooking to add a bit of flavour to sauces, gravy, soups - and anything else you can think of.26. An empty freezer wastes money. When shopping buy up the bread products that are reduced to clear. This is an economic way of filling space in your freezer, cutting down on shopping bills and wasting less food.2. If you lose a button off an item of clothing keep hold of it and stitch it back on straight away - keep the John Lewis Value Sewing Kit (pounds 2) in your handbag or desk drawer. If the button is lost then head for a haberdashery - they may be able to match it.28. Soya mince is a lot cheaper than meat minces, a good source of protein and free of any disease or antibiotics. Health food shops and co-operatives typically have very reasonable bags of dried soya mince and chunks.19. Don''t forget you can insulate yourself too - wearing warm clothes and layers can reduce heating bills. 20. Trawl second-hand shops. You will soon work out where the better clothes are and can sometimes pick up new or nearly new items for a fraction of the normal price.30. A soon as dusk comes draw the curtains - your windows (even if they're double-glazed) are an energy leak point. This can save you around pounds 15 per year 31. When you're cooking use a lid on your pan - it dramatically cuts the energy used.18. You can buy special insulation sheets to put behind radiators to reflect the heat back into them. Cardboard wrapped in aluminium foil does this too.17. Tumble drying is very expensive - line drying is free. When outside drying is not possible consider whether you have radiators that could be used if on anyway - but this will increase the humidity in your house and may lead to damp if it''s not well ventilated.15. Switch off all your appliances at the wall before going to bed at night. Many electrical items continue to use electricity even while off if connected to an outlet. Do you really need to use the oven or microwave as a clock? A battery powered wall clock uses much less power. 16. Cut down your water usage by reducing the amount you use when you flush your loo. Some people suggest putting a brick in the cistern. But the new superloos from B&Q, including the Eco Loo To Go (pounds 89.99), cut water use by 35%. Plus the toilet seat is made from recycled plastic too.Here we list 50 thrifty tips that will help the environment as well as your wallet this summer...3. Plan your journey. There''s no surer way to waste fuel than to get lost. Use the internet to check the distances and time it should take. And think about the time you travel - don''t travel in the rush hour if you can avoid it.35. If you like the fabric in a garment, but not the shape, unpick the seams and make it into something else. A quick unpick (sold in pound shops or haberdashers) makes this really easy. 36. Switch off electric ovens, hotplates and irons a few minutes before you need to stop using them - they will stay hot for a long time. Heating devices use more power that anything else.33. Reuse old carrier bags as liners for small bins.29. Next time you get the vacuum cleaner out run the cleaner gently over the coils on the back of the fridge to remove the dust. The motor will run for shorter periods and save you cash.6. Don''t hire a skip for old furniture. The Furniture Re-use Network co-ordinates 400 organisations in the UK which collect a wide range of furniture and appliances to donate to people in need. Find out where you can donate your unwanted items at www.frn.org.uk 7. Drive slower. It can save lives and will also save you money. You use 30% more fuel driving at 70mph than 50mph 8. To help candles last longer pop them into the freezer for a few hours before you use them. Look out for locally-produced candles made from renewable sources such as vegetable or beeswax, rather than paraffin wax ones from the supermarket. Then relax and enjoy the romantic glow.tip 23 21. Water is the cheapest and healthiest thing you can drink. Don't bother with fancy bottled varieties, the tap will do, plus it's not been freighted around the world. Drinking lots of water does amazing things for your skin, lessening the need for expensive skincare products.4. If wool jumpers have lost their shape or gone bobbly beyond repair try making them into felt by machine washing them on a hot wash and use the felt to make cosy cushion covers, tea cosies or a nice hat, come winter.1. Check your tyre pressure. If your tyres are at the right pressure you''ll drive more smoothly and save fuel.* MOTH HAVE: See 12. Make your own preserves from any seasonal gluts of fruit and vegetables. Sterilise old jars or get some reusable Kilner Jars and jam jars from Lakeland (pounds 24.99 ref 13219 and pounds 5.99 ref 3818). Lift home-made jam, pickles and chutney out of the ordinary with preserving presentation packs (pounds 5.99, ref 12185). Once you've sealed in the goodness crown your jar with a pretty cover, then finish it off with the coordinating string and pretty tag-style label. They make lovely presents. 13. Farm shops or markets can be very economical - a sack of potatoes for a few pounds can be the basis for many meals for a couple of months.14. Find out just how much energy you waste with an electricity monitor. The OWL CM119 (pounds 34.95 from John Lewis) is wireless and easy to read, use and install. It also has an alarm which can sound when your electricity consumption exceeds a pre-set limit. The unit can also display the amount of greenhouse gases your power usage is generating, as well as ambient temperature and humidity in your home.Unlike plastic cartons milk bottles can be re-used. And you can now buy a whole range of grocery products from most delivery services - not just milk. 11. Roll citrus fruits back and forth on the kitchen table before squeezing it and you will get more juice. You also warm the lemon and yourself with the exercise.24. Cut down old, foil-lined juice and milk cartons to be used as seed planters in the greenhouse or garden 25. The plastic lids from a Pringles tub make good covers for cat/dog food tins.32. Always put a full load in your washing machine - small loads waste large amounts of energy.34. Aluminium can be recycled over and over again without any loss of quality, or wrap your sandwiches or picnic food with greaseproof paper, which you can compost afterwards. Store your packed lunch in a reusable Tupperware container or empty ice-cream tub. Reusable containers * See are also great for storing leftovers in the fridge or simply cover your food with a plate.23. Don't let moths destroy perfectly good clothes. If you don't like the smell of moth balls use cedar wood instead - it repels moths and smells great. To reinvigorate the aroma, lightly sand the wooden pieces. 30-Piece Cedar Wood Set (pounds 6.49, Ref 22267 Lakeland).22. Instead of using cream cleaners use a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda on a damp cloth - it works just as well.5. Make a draft excluder snake out of one leg of an old clean woolly pair of tights stuffed with old clean clothes. To give it a lovely scent add some dried lavender or dried herbs from the garden. It''ll stop drafts under doors and you can have lots of fun decorating it.27. Pass on children''s clothes which they have outgrown to other family members or friends whose children are younger.
35. If you like the fabric in a garment, but not the shape, unpick the seams and make it into something else. A quick unpick (sold in pound shops or haberdashers) makes this really easy. 36. Switch off electric ovens, hotplates and irons a few minutes before you need to stop using them - they will stay hot for a long time. Heating devices use more power that anything else.
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