Any person with a sense of social or environmental consciousness is aware that even if we\’re not the sole contributor to climate change and the degradation of the world in which we live, we\’re definitely at least playing a role, likely a very large one. Despite being aware of this, many of us feel that the problems that currently affect our planet are beyond our helpful hand.

Let\’s face it, living a green lifestyle involves a number of sacrifices many of us are simply not ready to make. This includes the uneasy fact that living green is an expensive venture and involves incurring a number of additional costs that simply are not economically viable for all. Yet, this does not mean that there is nothing we can do.

I find that the transformation to living a green lifestyle is best done in a piecemeal fashion. The following five tips outlines fives ways in which we can all attempt to live a more green life, without completely transforming our currently way of life. It is hoped that once these tips become established habits, that they will be expanded on; that they will serve as stepping stones to a more comprehensive green lifestyle.

1. Change a light bulb – An easy an inexpensive fix we can all make. In fact, this isn\’t only an inexpensive fix, it is a fix that is actually going to put more money in your pocket in the long run. Compact fluorescent light bulbs use 75% less energy and last 10,000 hours (compared to just the 1,500 hours of an incandescent bulb)! They also simply look cooler, but then again maybe I just like things that twist and turn.

2. Watch what you throw out – Little thought is often given to things we dispose of in the trash, yet things such as electronics, batteries, and cell phones deposit heavy metals directly into the ground. On top of this, you could actually receive money for some of your old electronics. Most cell phone outlets will buy old, used cell phones from you and refurbish them. If you\’re unaware of where you should be depositing your electronics, give mygreenelectronics.org a look. They provide a number of different locations throughout the USA where you can deposit your old electronics.

3.Don\’t cut the grass – Many people simply cut their grass too often and fail to realize that grass actually thrives when kept at longer lengths. This means a greener yard. Grass also has an increased ability to retain water in the soil when it is longer, meaning you will have to water the grass less often than if you kept it short (more shade, less evaporation as a result of sunlight exposure). Finally, leave your lawn mower clippings on the lawn. This may reduce the overall appearance of your lawn for a day or two, but it will result in increased nitrogen levels in your yard, reducing your need for fertilizer.

4. Proper foods, not proper chemicals – Many of us are always out looking for the quick fix to a number of different beauty problems. What we fail to realize is that if we simply nourish our skin from the inside out, we\’ll secure truly healthy skin that lasts a lifetime. Zinc has been clinically proven to reduce skin problems such as acne and can be obtained by consuming a daily multivitamin. Vitamins C and E, found in foods such as nuts, seeds, spinach, and olive oil, functions as an effective antioxidant, removing free radicals from the body and prevent symptoms of advanced aging. Biotin, a B-vitamin, can help replenish skin as it serves as a fundamental building block for hair, nail, and skin cells. Essentially, these provide natural ways for you to improve overall skin health in lieu of costly beauty products that often contain environmentally harmful agents.

5. Wait until it\’s full – Your dishwasher and your clothes\’ washer use the same amount of water whether there\’s a single item in them, or they\’re overfilled. Knowing this, try to make a conscious effort to make sure that you have a full load ready to go before you press the start button. This should really serve to help reduce the amount of water your household uses over the long run.