Illustration: Naomi Wilkinson

2 of 3
Embrace Online Banking
To minimize financial paperwork and bills, sign up for electronic statements. Not only does this reduce waste, but some banks and credit unions even offer incentives, like decreased account fees, when you go green. Vanguard account holders, for example, can avoid the $20 annual service fee by signing up to receive statements and notifications online.

Living with less can help us resist the urge to splurge: A study in the Journal of Consumer Research found that being in cluttered environments decreases self-control, resulting in a greater likelihood of impulsive spending.