Earth day is a month away; April 22, 2012 to be exact.  I’ve mapped out a way I could be green, economical, and physically fit.  Starting on April 1st I will begin taking public transportation into work. This will not only reduce my carbon footprint, but also reduce the stress of rush hour traffic.  My job has a commuter pass that is automatically deducted from your paycheck monthly.  This spring and summer I plan on taking full advantage of the benefit.    

 According to GasBuddy.com the average cost for a regular gallon of gas in Maryland is $3.91.  With my daily commute which includes dropping my daughter off before heading downtown to work and picking her up everyday, I generally fill my gas tank up weekly, sometimes twice a week, which cost on average approximately $60 a week.  That’s $240 a month.  Now add the $35 I pay for parking every month and that is a whopping $275 a month in transportation and parking expenses.  And that is not including the car maintenance.  So by taking the train into work this will save me a pretty penny.  Also, since the train stop is a few blocks away from my office, it will provide me with the opportunity to walk more and get some exercise.  I must remember to carry my comfortable shoes with me!

I’ve had my reservations about taking the train into work in past, mostly because of security reasons, but now that it stays light outside longer, I am going to give it a try. 

What do you do to encourage green living in your family?