Go Green, Live Rich

Go Green, Live Rich:
50 Simple Ways to Save the Earth
(and Get Rich Trying)

by David Bach

Published in 2008. 192 pages.

Amazon link

Author's website

Genre: Nonfiction, Environment, Economics

My Overall Score: 4.5/5

What its about (taken from amazon.com): Bach offers a multitude of suggestions for conserving the planet—and your money—in this attractive and accessible guide. Bach also advocates making environmental consciousness a family value. Bach clarifies how the most conservative changes in lifestyle can yield radical results. A winning and wise guide, this book—printed on recycled paper with proceeds going to a green advocacy group—will find a large audience.

What I thought: This is a small, convenient book that packs lots of good info into a nice little package. Lots of useful websites & helpful tips to save energy and money. Here is a highlight of some of the tips I found most interesting:

Tip #12: Adjusting your thermostat up or down by just three degrees all year round will save you about $114 on a 1500 sq ft home. For every degree you turn the heat down in winter, you'll bring your energy bill down by as much as 5%.

Tip #13: Unplug it. Phantom load=things sucking energy by being plugged in when not using it. Totals 5 to 15% of monthly electric bill.

Plasma HD-TVs use twice as much energy as their LCD counterparts.

Tip #15: Switch to Compact Fluorescent bulbs (CFL). They use 75% less electricity than traditional bulbs and last up to 10 times longer.

Tip #17: Turn off the tap while brushing teeth. Only run dishwasher when full. Your toilet uses the most water of anything in your home.

Tip #21: Buy in bulk - uses smallest amount of packaging per unit.

Tip #22: Bring your own bags to grocery store.

Tip # 24: Grow your own fruits and veggies or buy at a local farmers market.

Tip #26: Use 'Green' Cleaning supplies - homemade with baking soda, club soda, vinegar & salt. Or buy commercial alternatives (Shaklee or Seventh Generation).

Tip #27: Use 'Green' personal-care products that contain natural ingredients, smell great, aren't tested on animals and don't cost any more than the chemical filled varieties. List of 13 potential brands on page 83.

Tip #29: Buy & Sell everything - ebay, craigslist, freecycle, yard sales. Make/save money and save the landfills. Or donate unwanted items.

Tip #31: Get rid of junk mail - new opt out legislation provides website and phone numbers to say no to junk mail and catalogs.

Tip #37: Bring your lunch to work in a reusable bag.

Tip #39: Do it online. Pay bills. Read newspaper.

Pages 160-169 are full of sources and websites collected from throughout the book.

Bach asks that we choose just one of the 50 tips and start today. Of course there are many of these things that we are already doing as a family. And I have chosen a few that I will start with asap: 1) Switch to CFL lightbulbs, 2) look for Green cleaning supplies, 3) officially get rid of junk mail and 4) unplug unused appliances.

Date finished: December 26, 2008

Currently reading: Why Do Men Have Nipples? by Mark Leyner & Billy Goldberg, M.D.