Going green (as well as thinking green and acting green) has been gaining growing popularity lately. That’s not only a fancy expression to mark a fashionble way to save money, it’s a way of thinking that can lead to a healthier lifestyle for you and your family.

In a society of enormous consumption, green phylosophy reminds us that we are only guests on this planet, and it’s up to us what will be left of it for our children.

Here are a few tips on how we can start small in going green:

• Buy less. Every time you feel tempted to buy something on the spur of the moment, ask yourself this, ‘Don’t I already have this at home, do I really need this?’. You may be surprised how many things you don’t actually need. It is a way of both saving money and space at home (just think of all the stuff you once bought but never really used, that’s been gathering dust in the closet). Once you decide you really need something, invest in high quality products, they will serve you better and last longer.
• Borrow more, buy less. Borrow from friends and neighbors items that you will not need on a regular basis.
• Save energy by using a clothesline or drying rack for your laundry; set your air conditioning two degrees lower in winter and two degrees higher in summer; unplug all electric appliances you’re not using at the moment, preventing ‘phantom energy’ leaks.
• Turn the water tap off more often. When you brush your teeth, turn the water tap of. When you’re taking a shower, turn the flow lower.
• Clean with home-made supplies, such as natural acids like vinegar and lemon, and natural bases like baking soda, making domestic cleaning both efficient and eco-friendly.