Save Cash & the Planet is a book which I just randomly picked up at the local library. The bright pink cover is pretty hard to miss (luckily it didn’t put me off), I think I was drawn in by author Andrea Smith’s claim: “Using the information in this book, a family in an average three-bed semi with gas heating could save £200 a year on their energy bills”. Well I like to be green and like saving money so this is a must-read!
Easy to read
Published in 2005, this book is printed on 100% recycled paper and is packed full of useful tips and advice. To make it easy to find information the book is organised into fourteen chapters such as Energy, DIY Home, Garden, Food, Work and Finance. There are some beautiful photographs, and the tips include quotations from ordinary people which are a nice touch.
The layout of the pages are exceptional, the balance between basic ‘hints and tips’, and more detailed articles is very easy on the eye. There is an immense amount of information in this book however the way it is given is easy to swallow.
The book
The book begins with a foreword by Tony Juniper, the executive director of Friends of the Earth (at the time of print, he resigned in 2008). Tony Juniper said: “For too long, going green has been classed as being good for your conscience but bad for your quality of life. This guide shows that what’s good for the planet is also good for your budget and can improve the quality of your life too. Most of us cherish a clean and safe environment – this book tells you how we can all help this to be achieved.”
There are several articles in each chapter, combined with tips and quotations from a vast array of everyday people. This shows that anyone can be involved in saving the planet, not just environmental activists.
The first chapter is called “Do you care for the planet?” and though that may sound a little preachy the content is anything but. Here you find six key principles to reduce your negative impact on the planet. The tone is neutral and the fifth principle “Do what you can” tells me that this is all realistic advice for everyone.
The chapter about energy is useful reading, and discusses issues involved in producing it, saving it and conserving it. This complex topic is reviewed in an easy to read manner and gives me plenty of food for thought.
Chapter 4 and 5 are about the home and was an eye-opener. Many of the materials used in building, decorating and furnishing are hazardous to our health. This chapter provides excellent advice on how to detox our homes which is something many don’t really think about. Though there isn’t information in the garden chapter to turn you into the next Alan Titchmarsh; there are plenty of tips to make your garden more environmentally friendly. I particularly liked the simple tips on how to improve soil, manage your water consumption, attract wildlife and grow your own organic food.
The Real Food chapter explains the ethical side of food really well. Information is given about buying seasonal, organic and fair trade. As this book is now five years old a lot of the figures are not up to date. In 2005 around 70% of organic food was imported, this article written in 2009 shows it to have reduced to 30%. This shows that people are indeed being more selective about their organic food and prefer homegrown to imported options.
Way to Go is a chapter about greener transport, I like the way the pros and cons of transport types are reviewed. The chapter does not suggest that people give up their cars, but it does suggest eco friendly ways to drive which should save you money. Read How to Save Money when Driving to cut your fuel costs.
Towards the end of the book the Active citizenship chapter shows examples of successful Friends of the Earth activists. “Think Globally – Act Locally’ is their motto and it shows the different ways in which you can help. Who knew there was such a thing as an “email activist”? If you wish to join Friends of the Earth there is also a handy application form on the last page.
There is a very useful guide at the back with useful resources and website addresses which are categorised in the order of chapters. So all the useful addresses dotted around the book can be found here.
Does it actually save you money?
There is no doubt that this book is an invaluable reference book for anyone pursuing an eco friendly lifestyle, how useful is it to someone who only wants to use it to save cash? Well page 26-27 feature 20 top tips to a cheaper greener lifestyle which are full of good advice on a wide range of subject that could benefit everyone. Most of the advice given does save money, however some of the advice can be questioned if you are only looking from a money-saving perspective.
An example would be the mention about Earthwatch holidays (though beautiful) is hardly a money saving option with prices ranging from £850 to £2000 for a weeklong expedition or more. The emphasis of this book is more on saving the planet rather than your pennies.
Value
This book is more of a reference book rather than a throwaway read. I love the positive vibe it has, and coupled with the fact that is practical advice aimed at anyone no matter what they think about green issues. At no point is it suggested that you give up modern conveniences, instead tips are offered about how to live in a way that reduces your carbon footprint in (usually) pretty easy ways.
Despite the fact that Save Cash & the Planet has a lot of figures that are out of date; it makes us think about how we live and make informed choices about all the various aspects of our lives. It is clear that being green is a lot more than being an avid recycler, and it is clever with the money saving aspect being mentioned as an added incentive. I would not hesitate to recommend this to anyone, and am using it to keep on the eco friendly track while I am redecorating my home.
The book retails for £12.99 but now is available at a much better deal on Amazon
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