It is a new year, the time we reflect on the past 12 months, and resolve to make this year better than the last. There are the usual resolutions about losing weight, and getting fit. When the Christmas bills hit this month, it is also likely many of us want to tighten our financial belt in 2017.
As we make our quest, there are some things that are beyond our control. Take for instance the carbon tax that bounced gas prices up in the new year. Many of the costs and ripple effects of the carbon tax are as yet unknown, but we all know it is in our individual and collective interest to reduce our use of fossil fuels.
What can you do about it anyway? Are you resigned to paying increased costs and making no changes at all? Or would you like to find ways to reduce the impact on your pocketbook and the planet? If we use less fuel, we can reduce our costs.
Small changes can yield results. Lower your thermostat at night, or when you are out. A programmable device on your thermostat can automatically lower the temperature at the hours you set. This can yield savings on your electric or gas bills.
When you are using your car for errands, plan your route efficiently to use less fuel. If you have to go to the grocery store, can you hit the post office, or building supply store nearby on the same day? For errands near your work or home, you may want to walk instead of drive.
Another way to save money is to buy local as much as possible. Not only are you supporting local businesses, but also you are reducing the cost of shipping which takes more fuel. That fuel cost adds to the price of the products you buy.
Some changes this year may take a bit of planning ahead. If you have the space you may want to plant a small vegetable garden or help someone who does. Every ounce of produce produced locally reduces the cost of shipping it here.
When it is -30C with the wind chill, you are not likely to want to walk or bike to work to save fuel. But is this an option for the part of the year when the weather is nice?
Can you resolve to produce less trash this year? All of that trash has to be transported to the dump, using labour and fuel. You can buy items with less packaging and recycle cans, bottles, paper and magazines.
Can you reduce, reuse and recycle to minimize your costs? Many of us are horrified by the huge mounds of Christmas wrapping paper and packaging that is clogging dumpsters and garbage bins this time of year. How about resolving to stop using wrapping paper and buying products that have a minimum of packaging.
Use recyclable gift bags or wrap your presents in the colourful pages of the newspaper. If your gift is intended for the football fan or arts lover, what about saving a colourful sports section or arts section of the newspaper, which can be later recycled. Gifts can be creatively wrapped with useable items like scarves, tea towels or other linens. This will cost you less in the long run.
If we all resolve to make a few changes in 2017 we can reduce our consumption of fuel, create less waste, and reduce our costs. Then it will indeed be a happier new year.
