Living a more eco friendly or sustainable lifestyle is quickly becoming a very hot topic for many. Not only is this a matter of saving the earth, it is also a matter of being frugal, too. Kids aren’t cheap and recycling and reusing are great ways to help save the Earth and save money. A lot of people really just make it a hobby to find creative new ways to recycle and reuse various household items such as shredded paper for example. Here are some great and simple ideas for recycling paper, conserving water, saving electricity, and adding eco friendly furniture to your home.

You can use paper in your garden. Shredded paper is wonderful to add to your compost pile as it provides an additional carbon source. Just throw the shredded paper onto the pile and mix with the green materials to have homemade compost. Shredded paper may also be used as mulch in and around gardens to control weed growth. Don’t forget your pets when thinking of ways to be more eco friendly using shredded paper. Many veterinarians recommend using shredded paper in the litter box after neutering or spaying. The standard litter can get into the cat’s stitches and cause infection. Using paper reduces this threat. Shredded paper can also be used as bedding for rodents and rabbits.

To conserve water and be eco friendly, there are many things you can do. First, turn off the water; do this while shampooing your hair, brushing your teeth, and shaving, too. This will make a huge difference in your water bill while saving you money. Also, while watering your garden, use a soaker hose rather than a sprinkler. A soaker hose directs water to the roots of plants and less is lost to evaporation.

Being eco friendly by reducing electrical consumption is easy. Turn your thermostat up a few degrees in the summer and down a few in the winter. It makes a huge difference. Also, unplug electrical equipment when not in use. Cell phone chargers use a considerable amount of energy whenever they are plugged in, not just when a phone is charging. Purchase a smart strip power strip which will cut off a number of appliances at one time and prevent them from using idle current. This will lower your electricity usage and save you money. Also, use smaller appliances during the summer such as crock pots and toaster ovens rather than using your regular oven. The temperature in your home will be cooler and you electric bill will thank you.

Furniture shopping is a standard when it comes to owning a home. So the next time you are about to set out shopping for a new piece, consider shopping for eco friendly or sustainable furniture items, you'll find that the selection is growing every day. Online is a fantastic place to shop for this type of furniture because it allows you to do easy side-by-side comparisons on the level of eco friendliness and price.

This article has been provided by Julia Ritzenthaler, owner and founder of several online boutique home furnishing stores including http://www.UniqueEcoFurniture.com/ visit or call 1-866-526-1843 for more information.