Eco-Friendly Services
We can make a difference not only with the products we choose to buy but also with the companies we rely on for banking and general services. On this page, you will find resources that will help you discover whether you are unknowingly financing activities that harm our environment plus guides that will help you get away from those terrible companies, opting for more cost-effective and eco-friendly alternatives instead.
Eco-friendly banking
In 2021 I made the switch to an eco-friendly bank – and saved money in the process. If this is something that interests you check out How to Go Green in Banking and Choose the Best Bank For You for a step-by-step process that will help you choose the best green bank for your needs.
In this blog post, you can get your hands on spreadsheet that lists all the green banks in Australia, highlighting those with the lowest home loan rates and highest savings rates. Check it out and you might find something that can save you some money.
For a general review of the top 7 green banks in Australia, check out: 7 of the Best Australian Banks – For You and the Environment
And for some information on the big 4 banks in Australia, check out: Greenwashing? The Big Four Banks and Climate Change
Finally, there is a whole series of blog posts that explore the topic of green banking from the characteristics to look out for in green banking, why green banking is important, a review of green banking products and services and much more.
Here is a link to the first blog post in this series: What is Green Banking and What to Look Out For 💰
Eco-friendly energy providers
The energy market is not as straightforward as you would think. You might be surprised when you find out how it all works. Spoiler: it’s impossible to get your energy from renewable sources (unless you generate your own energy) so any retailer telling you that your energy will be renewable if you sign with them is lying. I break it all down in the blog post: What to look out for when choosing an energy retailer
There is even more greenwashing (of sorts) in this market and this is addressed in this post: Are carbon-neutral energy plans and GreenPower greenwashing?
So is the task of finding an eco-friendly energy provider impossible? No. There is something you can do to support the renewable energy market (without having to generate your own electricity) and that is by ensuring the company you engage with is not owned by the biggest polluters out there.
The process I went through to make sure the provider I used was eco-friendly is outlined in this post: 5 Steps to Find a Low-Cost Green Energy Retailer
And some other information you may want to check out in your search:
* Australian energy retailers you should avoid
* Australian energy retailers worth doing business with
Content in this section is a little light at the moment but it will build up over time 🙂 To have a say on what I cover, follow me on Instagram where I often ask followers for their ideas.
