Earth Day is April 22 are you going to do your part to save the planet?

To get you in the mood to recycle, regroup and renew, here are seven eco-frugal tips to help save money while celebrating Mother Earth. If it’s good for your wallet, it’s often also good for the planet.  Celebrate the official day, the entire month, and beyond with these 7 eco-frugal tips.

Paper please

Reduce your disposable paper and plastic consumption – and switch your paper products to ones using recycled paper. The next time you are low on paper towels – buy some reusable dish clothes along with a smaller number of 100 percent recycled paper towels. Dish cloths are relatively inexpensive, so it’ll save you money while also reducing your impact on forests. And look for other well-priced eco-paper products in the future.

Prioritize your organic consumption

Invest in food items that will give your pantry the biggest green bang for the buck. This includes buying produce in season as abundance translates to lower prices:

Coffee: Coffee beans are one of the most sprayed crops in the world.
Strawberries: Strawberries are the number one item on the 2018 Environmental Working Group’s ‘Dirty Dozen’ list as a highly sprayed crop. Luckily, strawberries are in-season in April so organic varieties are abundant and affordable.
Greens: Lots of surface area on greens means lots of opportunity for pesticide residue. Spinach is number two on the “Dirty Dozen” list.
Dairy: Organic dairy means that the cows are fed an organic diet and aren’t given any antibiotics or growth hormones.
Apples: Apples are ranked number four on the “Dirty Dozen,” and organic apples are readily available and relatively inexpensive.

Cleaning options

Sub out your top three cleaning products with eco-sensitive ones. Continue to make more eco-savvy swaps the next time you run out of something. Products such as these are available at most mass merchandisers, as well as your local grocery stores, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, etc.

Invest in energy savings

Slowly replace your light bulbs with energy-efficient ones. One bulb can save up to $51 a year in energy costs! Try Ecobulb Soft White for $3.99 per bulb found at Smart & Final. This bulb lasts 9 years – at a $51 savings a year – it could save you $459 over the life of the bulb. Home Depot offers the Titan Lighting Eco 1-Lamp LED White Puck Light with Clear Glass, also saving you money.

Think beyond specialty retailers  

Going green doesn’t mean you have to blow your “whole paycheck.” You can often find savings in unexpected places. For example, try club-sized stores like Smart and Final in California, Arizona, and Nevada, for club-sized deals – but without a membership fee or the need to spend two hours in line fighting crowds. You can save time, as well as money by picking up your regular grocery items along with your larger-sized purchases.

Buy in bulk

Many stores now offer bulk sections where you can buy everything from spices to oatmeal. You’ll save money buying only what you need and eliminate much of the waste associated with packaging. Here are some options:

Wild rice: $2.29 lb. found at Smart & Final.
Quick oats: $.89 lb. found at Smart & Final.
Sprouts has a huge bulk food section offering oats, pastas flour, sweet treats and more.
Whole Foods also has nuts, seeds and items needed in baking such as flours available in bulk.

April is the month to get eco-frugal and eco-friendly. Retailers know it’s Earth Day, too – and a lot of them are putting their eco products on sale to celebrate. Check store flyers for special savings.

Have fun going green while saving the planet at the same time.