As we enjoy the beautiful New England leaves and simple pleasures of autumn, there are always ways to try and live more green. As the weather gets colder and winter rolls around, these simple tips will not only help you live more green, but will also help you save some money.

• When putting away your summer clothing, check to see if there is anything you can recycle for rags or to donate, also when buying new clothes why not revive your wardrobe with some vintage or recycled clothing.
• Eat locally. Visit your local fruit and vegetable market for the in-season produce this will help the environment as well as your bank account.
• Back to school can be a very busy time of year, keep it green by reusing old school supplies, as well as packing your kids lunches in re-usable containers. Using re-usable containers will not produce waste like disposable plastic bags, which will save money in the long-run.
• When the leaves start to fall in your yard  use a rake rather than a blower to conserve energy; it’s also a very good workout!
• Consider composting your leaves along with your food waste. Instead of using plastic bags to collect leaves and send them to the landfill, consider composting the leaves to add to your garden.
• Upgrade your thermostat. Consider a programmable thermostat similar to ENERGY STAR’s to save energy and save you money.
• Heaters can be one of the biggest household energy users. To prepare for winter try caulking around your windows or any wires entering the house from outside to keep the heat in! You can also seal your windows with plastic.
• Have a green Halloween! Reuse or recycle older costumes or think about making your own. Also brainstorm about something other than candy to hand out to the kids to reduce waste with the packaging. If you cant give up candy try finding one that has a paper package that can be recycled.
• Switch your light bulbs to Compact Fluorescent Lighting (CFL’s), these light bulbs use 75% less electricity, and also last up to ten times longer. These will be easier on the environment as well as your bill!
• Seal leaks around the house.  According to the U.S. Department of Energy, sealing leaks around the house could potentially save you anywhere from 5 to 30 percent in energy costs. Check in places both big and small, from electrical outlets to window frames, baseboards to gaps around pipes. Don’t avoid inspecting the basement and attic, too. Caulk and seal around plumbing and wiring leaks and gaps, and anywhere you feel a draft coming in around windows and doors.

All of these tips can help reduce waste and energy use during this beautiful season, and also help you save some money on utility bills. It is easy to be more green while enjoying the fall season!