Saving money's really important now. But we want to be good to the environment, too. Here's some ideas that can help you have a reasonable lifestyle, without breaking the bank or having too much of an impact on the environment.

A remote controlled thermostat can save money and keep you cozy. You can adjust the temperature to a comfy level a few minutes before you get out of bed. Some houses have different wiring, so see what your house uses before buying one.

A swing through a dollar store can save you big bucks. For instance, a digital timer for cooking might cost $12 at a grocery store, but a buck at a dollar store. You can often save 75 percent on lots of items like this.

A membership in a warehouse store can save you tons. And by buying larger quantities with less packaging, it's good for the environment. If you haven't been in one of these, you might be surprised at what they sell. Some stores are about half groceries, with a lot of department store items. You can save on toilet paper, olive oil, packs of about 50 razors, etc. Some clubs like BJs offer a one day pass to try it out.

You can save gas and money and have a better running car with the right maintenance products. Professional mechanics rely on BG 44K to have a smooth running engine that's free of carbon build up inside the engine. At about four times the price of products you'll find in the department store or auto parts store, it may seem to pricy. But it's very effective, and the savings in fuel can pay for itself. Plus, you can significantly reduce your car's emissions using it.

If you buy a lot of books, you might want to consider a Kindle from Amazon. It downloads books and today's newspaper through a wireless network similar to what a cell phone uses. And you save a lot on the price of books. Plus, you'll save all that paper. Also, libraries are a great option. You can reserve books from libraries online, and many libraries have free high speed internet access.

A refurbished PC might make you a lot happier than a new one. You have the option of getting Windows XP, which many people prefer to Vista. You can get business class computers which are normally just sold to businesses that buy lots of computers direct from companies like Dell. These include the Optiplex desktop line and the Latitude laptop line. You won't find these new in stores. Unfortunately a lot of PCs end up in landfills. This is a great form of recycling that can give you a computer that's often better in many ways than what the stores are pushing (along with pushing service contracts). You can buy online through Dell's Outlet or from local stores like Microcenter and pcretro.com. You can save hundreds and have a great PC.

A credit union might be good to consider now. They are non for profit, so they are on your side. They may have money to lend for a car or home improvement, where your bank may not. You may find they offer better rates than you'd find elsewhere.

A food co-op is a great way to save money. You can either join and be a member for the best savings, or shop without joining. They are great if you like buying in bulk.

Gardening is set to make a big resurgence. Imagine how much food the nation could grow if we set our minds to it by using home vegetable gardens. And it's fun! There are even businesses that plant and tend your garden for you, and you pay them for the service. For someone not inclined to grow vegetables, culinary of medicinal herbs are an option, and can even be grown in a container or a windowsill. You might also like sprouting your own edible sprouts; It's especially fun for kids.

Low flow showerheads can pay for themselves quickly in energy savings and are available for as low as about $15 Niagara is one of the leaders in making inexpensive low flow shower heads. One and a half or 1.75 gallons per minute is a typical flow rate to look for.

Selling your extra stuff through EBay or a yard sale is a a great way to keep stuff out of landfills, and make a few extra bucks.

Supplementing your income with a home based business could be just the thing. Who wouldn't like a couple extra hundred bucks a month? And it can be a lot of fun. Avon has had great success in recent years by offering products that really appeal to a ride range of women of all ages. A home based business could be great for a mom with a young child. It could also be a good way for a parent to teach a teenager real hands on business experience.

Draft stoppers for doors are something that are claimed to pay for themselves in as little as one season. Or if your really thrifty, you can make them yourself.

You may have a big air leak that you never thought about; that's your dryer vent. Lint can lodge under the vent flap, keeping it open. Newer designs like the Heartland Products Energy Saving Dryer Vent Closure™ can keep a lot of air from leaking out. Similar products are made for venting bathroom vents and range hoods. Taking care of seemingly little things like this can not only save you significant amounts of money, but make a much more comfortable home.