This is a tough question to answer because there are so many levels of “eco-friendly” cars now available, some of them extremely cost-effective, and others not so much.  Of course, it’s always good to do your bit to help keep our environment clean a free of pollution, but when it comes right down to the dollars and cents of the situation, you could end up paying more to go green.  So if you’re looking for a way to reduce your carbon footprint and your vehicle expense at the same time, here are just a few things you may want to consider before you go ahead and purchase that Tesla.

1.  Biodiesel.  This alternative fuel source, made from vegetable oils (corn, soybean) and animal fat may currently be cheaper than gas (it consistently runs about $3 per gallon), depending on where you live and drive.  But it will almost certainly be less expensive in the future, as the price of petroleum continues to rise.  On the downside, the demand is not yet high enough to make the system entirely cost-effective.  There are not a lot of vehicle manufacturers that offer biodiesel models (although many engines can be retrofit for biodiesel relatively cheaply) and you may have to travel pretty far to find a place to buy this sustainable fuel.

2.  Hybrid.  Probably the best bet for those who are on the fence about switching to an eco-friendly automobile, this may also be the most cost effective option, since many hybrid vehicles can nearly double the mpg of their gas-guzzling counterparts.  And with so many automakers fitting hybrids into their lines, you can acquire one at almost any price point.

3.  Electric.  These cars are definitely more expensive.  There’s simply no denying that you’re likely to pay more initially if you want a fully electric vehicle (especially since there are few options of the “economy” variety).  However, you will enjoy the greatest savings thereafter.  A lot of people are afraid that they’re going to pay just as much in energy costs for charging an electric vehicle as they would at the pump.  But in fact, a 2007 study by the Electric Power Research Institute revealed that the cost is roughly equivalent to $0.75 per gallon of gasoline.  Even if gas prices were to drop in the future, the savings would still be substantial.

4.  Incentives.  Depending on where you live, there may be incentives that make your eco-friendly automobile purchase worthwhile.  For example, those who opt to buy plug-in hybrids or electric vehicles in the U.S. can receive a federal credit of up to $7,500 as well as an addition $2,000 towards charger installation.  And you may also be eligible for state incentives (like the $5,000 California credit).  And coming up, zero-emission vehicles will replace hybrids as the ones that can drive in the carpool lane (with proper registration) with only one passenger.

5.  Insurance.  In truth, you will likely pay about the same for a green vehicle as you would for any comparable gasoline counterpart when it comes to insurance.  Although some of the parts will be more expensive to ensure, statistics show that eco-car drivers tend to drive (and live) more safely, balancing the scales.  However, as with just about any new car purchase, you’re going to pay a little more in the beginning.

Emma Martin writes for car insurance comparison where you can find cheap car insurance rates that will suit your needs.

Spiffing up your living space can be pretty expensive if you don’t plan accordingly (or sometimes even if you do).  Between the cost of materials, a contractor and crew, and brand new furnishings and accessories, you can easily exceed your modest budget before you’ve even finished the demo phase.  Even if you’re only making small upgrades that are all DIY, you might spend a lot more than you intend.  But if you want to have the dream designs you’ve seen in the magazines without breaking the bank, there are all kinds of ways to get the look you want for less.  Here are a few simple solutions to get you on track for some fabulous redecorating that will stay well within your budget.

1.   Paint.  You just can’t go wrong with a fresh coat of paint to turn your house into a whole new living space.  If you want to make your rooms feel bigger, you can opt for lighter, brighter colors on the walls and a true white in a light-bouncing satin finish on the ceiling, whereas a darker jewel-tone could add a modern vibe and help you to feel wrapped in luxury every time you walk in the door.  Having trouble committing to a color but tired of bland neutrals?  The easy fix is to paint an accent wall.  It will create a focal point by adding a pop of color to any room (and if you hate it, you’ll have a much easier time painting over it).

2.   Fixtures.  If you can’t afford to replace the counter, sink, and cabinets, give them a new look by updating the hardware.  A tiled counter could get a whole new look by going over the tone-on-tone grout with a colored alternative (this is a great solution if you’re tired of bleaching white grout that just never looks clean).  Installing a new brushed-nickel faucet is easier than you think, especially with the aid of a home-repair guide, and you can finish off the look with updated knobs and drawer-pulls for cabinets.  The best part is, these small touches will totally revamp your space while saving you thousands of dollars.

3.   Accents.  Instead of springing for new hardwood flooring or granite countertops, enrich your rooms with some clever accents.  A couple of nice rugs will cost you a lot less than wall-to-wall flooring and they can hide any imperfections in your current planks or pile.  And instead of replacing an entire counter surface, simply put in a new backsplash.  It’s a cheap alternative that will give you a lot of bang for your buck.

4.  Furniture.  You could spend a lot in this area, but you definitely don’t have to.  Instead of getting everything new, splurge on just a couple of key pieces that you’ll use the most (sofa, bed frame and mattress) and go green with the rest by opting for reclaimed items to supplement the layout.  Estate sales and second-hand stores can both offer an inexpensive alternative and some pieces with a lot of potential.  You may also want to check Craig’s List for items that are nearly new for a fraction of the cost (or even the stellar price of “you haul”).

5.   Accessories.  Embellishments like linens, drapes, pillows, lamps, candles, photo frames, decorative vases, and so on can become quite pricy when you start to add them up.  So see what you can reuse around the house and what you can make yourself.  Lamps can get a much-needed update with a new shade.  And if you’re handy with a sewing machine, drapes and pillows will pose no problem.  As for the tchotchke items, check out the thrift store.  Ugly art can be purchased for the frame alone and used candle-holders can be made serviceable with a quick cleaning or a coat of metallic spray paint, depending on the medium.

Emma Martin writes for Sofas and Sectionals where you can find an assortment of high end furniture by brands like Palliser and Berkline.

Even if you’re doing the smart thing and forming an LLC (or similar), you’re still going to have to use your personal credit to secure the funding needed to start your own business.  This means that you’re probably not going to qualify for quite as much money as you hope for to get things up and running (even if you’re eligible for a significant amount).  Plus, it’s going to be a while before you really start earning enough money to pay the bills.  What this amounts to is a rather lean time for your business, which can be a real hardship when you’re learning the ropes, making mistakes, developing an understanding of the market, and trying to make your vision into a reality.  For these reasons, keeping your overhead low is absolutely essential.  But how do you accomplish this task?

Cutting costs is no easy feat, especially when you’re just starting.  Down the road, you can haggle for the price of goods (especially if you’re buying in bulk), streamline your processes, minimize redundancies, get deals on shipping, and perform a whole host of other money-saving devices that will keep you in the black.  But right now you’re just trying to figure everything out.  Add in the fact that you have certain ideas about how your business should be (and you’re determined to get it right) and you are probably already over-spending.

But if you’re willing to make a few concessions, it’s not as hard as you think to toe the bottom line.  For starters, you may want to consider a business model that supports telecommuting, at least initially.  If you’re plan is for a storefront, think about starting your business online instead and then expanding later.  Or if it’s an office setting, just have employees communicate through IM or video conference.  Even if you have to equip employees with smartphones, it’s probably going to save you a lot over a lease and the additional costs of running a brick-and-mortar location (utilities, security, etc.).  Although not all businesses can run this way, it’s a viable solution for anyone who plans to have an online presence anyway (and it can cut costs significantly).

Your staff is going to be another big expense, but you really do need head count if you’re going to get the work done.  So think about hiring contractors.  You’d be surprised by the number of people you can find who are willing to work on a contract basis.  This is best if you’re doing business solely online, but it can also be viable for physical locations (although you will have to hire them on as employees if you plan to keep them more than a year).  You may have to pay a little extra for freelance workers (unless they’re new to it), but you won’t have to pay the employer portion of taxes or social security and you can also avoid the outrageous cost of health benefits.  This is going to translate into a huge savings where your overhead is concerned.  If you have a storefront, you can also hire only part-time help and just avoid benefits.

There are about a million other ways to save smaller amounts of money as time goes by, and you will likely discover most through experience.  But if you really want to start off on the right foot and get your enterprise going for less money than you planned for, a few simple adjustments could make a world of difference where your overhead is concerned.

Emma Martin writes for Plexpack which offers continuous band sealer, shrink packaging machinery and many other items for your e-commerce and other packaging needs.