Green: A Color of the Season

Don't forget that green is a color of the season this year while you are out doing your last minute shopping.  For those ordering online, kudos for saving the gas on traveling to the regional shopping areas.  Another way to go green is to skip the regional shopping areas that may not be so close to home and patronize local shops.  It's great to help your local community businesses and great for the environment, too.  The fewer miles we drive every day, the more we help our situation.  I love downtown Ocean City and shop there often.  The boutique prices are surprisingly reasonable for the quality and unique merchandise.  If you have to scoot around to hit some big sales, then plan your trip so you are making stops in the most efficient and gas-saving way.  It won't only help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but it will help reduce the money you spend on gas.  When I write my list of errands, appointments, and/or showings for the day, I always consider what I have to do and plan accordingly, so I do not have to backtrack and waste time, energy, wear on the car, or gas. 

Some other easy green shopping tips:

1) SO SUPER EASY - Bring re-usable bags!!!  I have the ones that rollup so tiny I can keep 5 in my purse at a time, and as a mother of two I have a lot in my purse already and they are still in there not taking up much room or adding much weight at all. 
2) If you are going out shopping, or out to run errands or going to work on any typical day, bring a reusable cup/mug/water bottle.  I personally have a stainless steel bottle that is perfect.  It is not made of plastic, so I don't have to worry about any chemical leaching (not that all plastics do this, but I just like the stainless).  Also it's double insulated so it keeps my hot tea hot when I'm heading out with my first "cup" in the morning, and my cold water cold when I refill as I'm out and about.  If I'm not in the mood for water and want anything else, most establishments will refill my bottle and often give a discount.  Just ask!

Believe me, making these choices make you feel good.  You can come home from a long day out and feel proud that you've done your part.  Who doesn't want to be proud of themselves. 

Good luck going green.  If you want to discuss any green living tips or have any questions regarding real estate, please contact me through my website at http://yourshoretownagent.com.