Go Green and Save Green tip #4
Pay bills online.
Eliminating your paper trail by banking and paying bills online does more than save trees. It also helps reduce fuel consumption by the trucks and planes that transport paper checks. If every U.S. home viewed and paid its bills online, the switch would cut solid waste by 1.6 billion tons a year and curb greenhouse-gas emissions by 2.1 million tons a year, according to Javelin Strategy & Research. Worried about security? Don't be. Just ignore e-mails "phishing" for personal data, and monitor all (electronic) statements for any unauthorized debits. Report problems immediately, and your credit won't take the hit. To avoid unnecessary carbon dioxide-emitting car trips to the bank on payday, ask your employer to directly deposit your paycheck. You'll get your money faster that way too.
What it does for your wallet: Some companies are starting to charge additional fees for processing paper bills. Blue Cross of California charges $2 a month for paying with paper, for example, and MCI charges 99 cents, reports Kiplinger's Mark Solheim. Paying online allows you to bypass these fees and minimizes the chance of identity theft by eliminating the paper trail.
What it does for the earth: Not only does it eliminate clutter, you also can save trees!
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