This guest post is brought to you by The Digerati Life.

Most people are worried about their bottom line. I know I am. In the middle of one of the worst economic recessions in United States history, I thought about placing a lot of thought into reducing my expenses and watching my budget more carefully. Little did I realize that the steps I ended up taking were not only positively impacting my wallet, but were also helping me reduce my financial carbon footprint.

Note: In a similar way, banks without physical branches (like PerkStreet) pass financial savings on to you, while reducing the amount of land used and waste produced.

With the focus on Earth Day this week, I’d like to reflect on some of the things I can do to be kinder to the environment. Here’s a look at some of the things I’ve been up to:

Electronic Billing and Bill Pay

One of the first things I did was to transfer all of my accounts from paper billing to electronic billing. I also took advantage of the free bill pay offered by my bank. Not only did these little tricks save me the cost of a book of stamps and at least 2 trips to the post office everyday, but in the larger scheme of things, this should help save trees and cut down on extra pollution from additional fuel consumption and vehicle emissions. If we all do this often enough, we could make a dent on the amount of material that enters landfills.

There are a few other things we can do to cut down on paper consumption. You could be proactive and cut down on the junk mail you receive by calling the companies that send them to your household. Opt out of their offers and marketing materials and you’ll be rid of clutter while saving the environment at the same time. And by cutting off the mail from financial companies, you’re also taking steps to prevent identity theft from happening to you. There are even services like OptOutPrescreen.com and Lifelock that can help you with this.

Cutting the Cord: Would You Disconnect Your Telephone Service?

I know a few people who have decided to cut their landline to reduce their phone bill. This may not be entirely practical for everyone, but if you find yourself using the cell phone most of the time, it may be something to consider. So if you’re already paying for a cell phone, by disconnecting your home phone service, you could save a several hundreds of dollars a year and leave your house much more serene. You’ll also save on your electric bill when you do away with cordless phones.

Water Conservation

One of the easiest and most effective ways to have a significant impact on both the environment and your wallet is to reduce your water consumption. While it is true that water is the staff of life, we often take its availability for granted. Taking small steps such as purchasing a water efficient showerhead, low flow toilet, and opting for Energy Star appliances designed to use less electricity and water will have a positive impact on your utility bill and the environment. Next, employ some water saving tactics such as turning the water off while you brush your teeth or while you soap in the shower instead of allowing it to run continuously. Collect rainwater in containers to use for watering your garden or even washing your car. Some simple changes in our habits can go a long way!

Beating the Heat Without Breaking the Bank

Let’s face it, trying to make it through the tough summer months without air conditioning can be torture. But most air conditioners, both window units and centralized models, are behemoths when it comes to consuming energy. This summer, try turning the thermostat down and beating the heat by using a few creative techniques.

1. Enjoy Mother Nature. Take your family and visit your local lake, river or beach and take advantage of Mother Nature’s natural cooling abilities. Not only will you save money by running your air conditioner less, but you’ll also reap the benefits of quality family time without the distraction of televisions, telephones, or unwanted visitors.
2. Join a community pool. If you are not fortunate enough to have your own pool, then take advantage of local pools that allow you to join for a minimal amount of cash.
3. Use fans as an appliance alternative. Electric fans use much less energy than air conditioners. And being around circulating air, even if it’s warm, is something I find much more comfortable and tolerable than breathing in stagnant air.

Of course, there are many more things you can do to be kind to the environment, such as utilizing mass transit, buying used, and keeping leftovers to eat another day. The good news is that not only are you benefiting the environment by employing these steps in your life, but you are also adding a little bit back to your own bottom line.

So, while you look towards Earth Day and wonder if you’ve done your share to make sure that the world is a better place for generations to come, think about your finances as well. Not only will you be green, but you’ll save some green, too.