5 Green Money $avers

You thought it was expensive to go green, didn't you? Cheapskates rejoice! You can save dough and your planet, which is a great deal all around. Here are five money savers to get you started. Add your own, too, in the comments below, or submit them to community tips.

1. Save on Dry Cleaning

Most clothes sent to the dry cleaners are wrinkled rather than dirty. Save money and exposure to toxic chemicals by hand steaming wrinkles out of your clothes. You'll avoid PERC (perchloroethylene) - a volatile organic compound that can cause dizziness, headaches, nausea, irritation and even cancer at high exposure.

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2. Save on Organics

Max your food dollars by zeroing in on the so-called 'dirty dozen' foods that testing shows have the highest pesticide residues. Here's what to either buy organic, or avoid: peaches, apples, sweet bell peppers, celery, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, pears, imported grapes, spinach, lettuce and potatoes.

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3. Save on Gas

Every gallon of gasoline you burn produces 19 pounds of carbon dioxide, so it pays to conserve (in more ways than one). Your car will work more efficiently if you obey the speed limit and avoid rapid, unnecessary acceleration. Keep your tires properly inflated and get regular tune-ups. Forget warming up under most conditions.

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2. Save on Electricity

There are many ways to trim those electric bills. Wash your laundry in cold water instead of hot, line dry your linens, and use a toaster oven for small heating needs instead of a bigger electric stove. Open windows to let the light in, turn off unneeded lights and appliances, and unplug unused electronics to counter the 'energy vampire' effect.

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5. Save on Heating Bills

Keep your conditioned air inside by finding and plugging up those leaks. Check for window drafts by carefully holding an incense stick up to each frame and watch the smoke to see if there is a leak. Then use caulking or weather-stripping to seal the cracks. For door drafts, place an old-fashioned draft dodger or draft-blocker along the bottom saddle.

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