Save the Earth while saving money

Reusing and recycling are the best ways for students to save money, because constantly purchasing new items costs a great deal more than purchasing used items that might just need a bit of TLC. Here are some ways you can keep money in your pocket.

WHOEVER SAID NOTHING WAS FREE?
What is someone's trash may be someone else's treasure. The City of London allows people to put an unlimited amount of garbage on the boulevard for one day twice every year, which means that you can score some free furniture and keep it from taking up space in the dump. Former Fanshawe College student Connor Dunster participated in one of these garbage days and managed to snatch up some good stuff for his party house. He also used Kijiji to his advantage. “I got a couch, a stereo and I got a free bar off Kijiji. It's always nice to get free things.”

Dunster suggested taking advantage of this unlimited garbage day, but be wary of what you are picking up. “Smell it, check if it's wet … think critically before you pick things up, like if you can actually use them in your house.”

Unlimited garbage days occur twice a year typically a week after Christmas and during the last week of April when students are moving home for the summer. Swapping and taking furniture is allowed, however taking recyclables such as cans and paper is considered scavenging and is discouraged. Each zone in London has its own unlimited garbage day; check the exact date at london.ca in December and April.

CLEANING PRODUCTS YOU CAN EAT?
You can find alternatives to costly individual cleaning products right in your kitchen cupboard. They may not smell as nice as that country-fresh Palmolive soap, but they are powerful, grease-fighting machines.

Vinegar is one of the best natural cleaning products; it can tackle a tough stains on your counter and it is safe to use on pretty much anything. This versatile condiment goes perfectly with your fries and the mess they make.

Other household items, such as lemon juice and soda water, also act as good natural cleaners for washing windows and mirrors.

Clogged drains? No problem! Baking soda is a natural catalyst to vinegar and the combination can help with those partially clogged drains. Pouring boiling water down first followed by a tablespoon of baking soda and vinegar will create a reaction that should help in breaking down blockages.

GROCERY SHOPPING MADE EASY
Shop with a list, and stick to it! Look for locally grown fruits and veggies that don't have to travel so far to get to your plate (and therefore produce fewer emissions to deliver to the store) for a fresher taste.

For meals, use plastic or glass containers that can be reused again and again to save money on plastic bags and keep that junk out of the landfill.

Instead of spending 5 cents on plastic bags every time you go to the grocery store, you can purchase reusable reinforced plastic bags for around $2. If you purchase a lot of groceries and can't carry them, grab a small metal cart for under $20 — they're available at most department stores.
BONUS TIP:
Present your student card at the Real Canadian Superstore on Tuesdays and get 10 percent off your purchases. If you don't shop at the Superstore, Sobeys has 10 percent off student discount days Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday every week.

PAPER
Millions of trees are cut down every year to create paper. When we use paper, quite often we aren't using it to its full potential.

Simple things like using both sides of the paper to make notes in class will result in less paper used overall.

As a student, how many books do you buy a year? Purchasing used textbooks or borrowing from the library will save you money and reduce the amount of books that are printed.

Junk mail wastes so much paper. If you're tired of seeing your mailbox clogged with flyers, contact the company to stop it from coming.

Another way you can reduce your use of paper is to change to online billing. Instead of receiving a bill in the mail every month, you can get an e-mail sent to you. The trees will thank you!

GENERAL TIPS

LIGHTS:
Replacing your old incandescent bulbs with the longer-lasting fluorescent kind will reduce the time between having to replace bulbs. Turning off the lights when you leave a room also goes a long way in reducing your electricity usage.

WATER:
Water is a valuable resource that many people take for granted, instead value water and use only what you need. Take a short shower instead of running a bath. Don't use the dishwasher for a few dishes — wait until it is full to put a load through. Fill up your sink and soak and wash your dishes instead of leaving the water running to rinse every dish. Time to brush your teeth? Fill up a cup of water and use that to rinse your mouth; don't leave the water running in the sink as you brush.

TRAVEL:
Every full-time Fanshawe student receives a bus pass, so leave the car keys at home and use your pass instead. Not only is it virtually free for students to ride the bus (the cost of the bus pass is built into your tuition), you will also won't be putting more emissions into the air from your car.