Everybody wants to go green and save money, but how exactly do you do it if it's all new to you? Try these four approaches. For most of us, a good, basic starting point is changing your light bulbs to CFLs (compact fluorescent bulbs) or the even-more-energy-stingy LED (light-emitting diode) bulbs. They may cost more upfront, but they'll save you a lot over time. Another basic entry point to savings is your windows. Don't change them thinking that you'll get a payback; Weather-stripping will also make a big difference. 2. Get a smart programmable thermostat. Programmable thermostats can reduce heating and cooling costs in your home by 25 to 30 percent. But it's hard to get excited by this device that your dad probably loves. Enter the Nest Learning Thermostat, which was designed by a former Apple executive and borrows the clean, minimalist design of the classic iPod click wheel. The Nest uses algorithms and artificial intelligence to learn your living patterns and figure out when to bump the temperature down a few degrees to save you money.

It can be self-installed if you have technical ability, or you can hire a local installer who will also sell you the unit. Retailers carrying the Nest, which sells for around $250, include Amazon, Best Buy, and Lowe's, among others. I've now tried the Nest at my home and am very happy with its performance. I've found it reduces my energy bill by about 20 percent. 3. Reduce your water consumption. I had a low-flow toilet put into my house that took us from 3.5 gallons a flush to 1.1 gallons a flush. The toilet actually has two buttons -- one that delivers 1.1 gallons and another that delivers 1.6 gallons. This is a G-rated article, so use your imagination to understand when to use which button! Consumer Reports gave its vaunted "Best Buy" checkmark to two toilets that both sell for about $100: the single-flush Aquasource AT1203-00 (available at Lowe's) and the Glacier Bay Dual Flush N2316 (available at Home Depot). In addition, try installing a low-flow showerhead that uses a blast of air to simulate a strong stream of water.

You may qualify for a rebate if you outfit your home with water-efficient devices. Check with your municipality to see if they participate. If you have an attic, be sure to insulate it. You can either pay a professional to do blown-in insulation or do it yourself. But be sure to wear proper gloves and a mask if you do the latter. Joel Larsgaard, the associate producer on my radio show, recently did it himself at his new house. He got free rental of an insulation blower with the purchase of 20 bags of insulation ($11 a bag) at a local big-box home improvement store. Then he grabbed a friend to help him. "It took us roughly an hour and 15 minutes to blow 23 bags of cellulose insulation into my attic, and it was actually kind of fun doing it," Joel told me. "And bonus: I looked like the Snuggles Bear afterwards, with a thick coat of lint all over me!" The real bonus is that Joel got a reimbursement from his local power company. So they covered half of his $274 total bill for the job!

(Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency) to see similar incentives that may be available where you live.Money in Your Pocket. Advice You Can Trust.When you move, you pay a total stranger to drive away with everything you own. who researched moving companies around Puget Sound, he warned to beware of brokers before signing on a dotted line. Here are three things to keep in mind when picking the right moving company to avoid getting your goods held hostage:Cheap Bathroom Pedestal Sink ● When choosing a broker to be responsible for your belongings, keep in mind the broker don’t lift a single box.Bathroom Vanity Units Including Toilet ● They are responsible for collecting a deposit and arranging for another company to handle the move.How To Frame A Mirror Using Crown Molding

● If you use a broker, you have no control over which company is hired. Shopping for your own mover and doing some research can save you hundreds of dollars. According to the state law, if it’s a local move, movers can’t charge more than 25 percent above a written estimate. If you’re moving long distance, more than 55 miles, ask upfront about the payment policy. When your moving company shows up, pay attention. Be there, and if you see anything damaged or broken bring it up right away. Follow this link to check out a list of the top rated moving companies. Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images.This Volcano Is Spewing Ash Nearly Two Miles High Turrialba in Costa Rica has rumbled to life in what may be its strongest eruption in years, diverting flights and choking San José with ash and fumes. Crocodiles and Palm Trees in the Arctic? New Report Suggests Yes. If we keep burning fossil fuels, Earth will be 8 degrees warmer, returning to the climate of 52 million years ago, according to new research.

It's the most dire prediction yet.Splashy Claim Raises Eyebrows. Observations hint at catastrophic waves in the planet’s past, but not all experts are convinced that the necessary oceans existed. Decorate your desktop with strange desert scenes and other uncanny patterns that occur naturally on Earth. Expert Tips for Taking the Best Shots U.S. Marine Protected Areas Freshwater Hero: Pete McBride Pete is a photographer and visual storyteller with an emphasis on freshwater conservation. Sandra is a leading authority on international freshwater issues and is spearheading our global freshwater efforts. For more than 15 years, Osvel Hinojosa Huerta has been resurrecting Mexico's Colorado River Delta wetlands. For More Inspiration » Miami's Choice: Bigger Ships or Coral Reefs? Dredging in Biscayne Bay inflicts heavy damage on North America's only coral reef tract. Fungus Endangers Madagascar's Frogs Chytrid fungus, responsible for amphibian declines and extinctions around the world, is now confirmed in Madagascar.

Drought, Floods Share Common Cause With severe water shortages in Brazil's cities and destructive floods in the Amazon, the boom-and-bust phenomenon may be South America's new normal. Influential Biologist Known as 'Shark Lady' Has Died Eugenie Clark, a marine biologist and ichthyologist, helped the public understand and appreciate the much maligned shark. Do Rising Seas Mean Sinking Islands? For low-lying islands, what's needed is less alarmism, more planning. Pacific herring stocks are shadows of their former abundance. But the Canadian government wants to reopen fishing off British Columbia. Eight Million Tons of Plastic Dumped in Ocean Every Year The amount of trash flowing into the world's oceans is worse than thought, says new study. 200 Whales Stranded in New Zealand Nearly 200 pilot whales are stranded on a New Zealand beach, prompting a massive rescue effort. Grand Canyon Wolf Killed The famed gray wolf that had journeyed to the Grand Canyon from the Northern Rockies late last year was shot dead in Utah, according to the U.S. government.

Starving Sea Lions Wash to California Shore Tiny sea lion pups are washing up on beaches in unusually high numbers—for the third winter in a row. Thermos-Like Passive Homes Aggressively Save Energy The passive-building standard is catching on in North America, but it also faces challenges. Oil Spills Into Yellowstone River, Possibly Polluting Drinking Water The Yellowstone River oil spill raises drinking water alarms but is unlikely to affect Yellowstone National Park. California’s Forests: Where Have All the Big Trees Gone? Half the state’s big trees have been lost since the 1930s, in part because climate change has cut their water supply. American's Bid to Import Rhino Head Stokes Debate U.S. agency faces unprecedented pressure from those opposed to rhino hunt. Find archived stories » Help Save the Colorado River NG's new Change the Course campaign launches. When individuals pledge to use less water in their own lives, our partners carry out restoration work in the Colorado River Basin.