Green Your Finances: Cut Out Paper

It's tax week and we've all got our money on our minds, so it's the perfect time to consider how the cash we've put so much energy into earning will work to preserve our planet. This week's tips will help you green your finances. 

Tip #4: Go Paperless

Dealing with money and financial issues can create a mountain of paperwork -- but it doesn't have to: You can make a conscious decision to make your financial life paper-free. It'll take a bit of effort on the front end but over the long term, the paper savings can be substantial.

There's so much you can safely do online, including banking, paying bills, giving to charity, and filing taxes. By doing so, you'll save not only paper, but also the cost of postage stamps, checks, and gas for driving to the post office and bank. Find out whether your employer or clients offer Direct Deposit, and say "no" to receipts whenever you don't need them. And of course, recycle any paper waste that remains.