The 5 Best Ways to Give to be Grateful for All that We Receive from Mother Nature, Just as We Would for Anyone We Love, Through Our Actions, this Thanksgiving

    SANTA MONICA, CA, November 24, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- This year why not take "giving thanks" beyond mere words. Thanksgiving offers the perfect occasion to be grateful for all that we receive from Mother Nature, just as we would for anyone we love, through our actions. Below are 5 easy ways to really show our thanks for this season's harvest. An added benefit is that being kind to the planet is very beneficial to our monthly budget. So, on November 26th, let your cornucopia overflow with Thanksgiving and budget savings!

The 5 Best Ways to Give Thanks This Thanksgiving

1. Ride a bike.
2. Pull the plug on energy vampires.
3. Tap into Matrix energy.
4. Test drive an EV or hybrid.
5. Plan an Earth Day Gratitude Celebration for April 22, 2016.

And here are some details...

1. Ride a bike. The average household spends almost $2,000 a year on gasoline - more when prices rise. So, throw on a backpack and pedal to the store for that last minute whipped cream and those forgotten ingredients for the feast. While you're en route, imagine just where you'd go on vacation with the $2000 you'd save every year, if you weren't giving it to the gas station.

2. Pull the plug on energy vampires. If you hear the heating kick in every hour (or more frequently), then insulation could save you thousands of dollars every year. Why let your heat slip away every 60 minutes? And why heat your water while you are sleeping or at work? A simple timer on your water heater saves up to 90% of that cost. Knowing the energy vampires in your home, which include all of your big appliances, can save thousands each year.

3. Tap into Matrix energy. Humans and the sun both generate heat, which can lift the temperature in a room, if that energy is not being sucked outside by drafts and leaks. One well-designed home that I toured in upstate New York only had to turn on the heat twice in a frigid winter. The Passive House Institute offers simple, affordable tips on how to heat your home with passive solar and identify and remedy the drafty areas in your home. This is planet-friendly and wallet-friendly. In fact, your local utility might help with this process.

4. Test drive an EV or hybrid. On average, it costs about half as much to drive an e-vehicle compared to a gas-guzzler. While the electric version of your favorite vehicle might have a larger ticket price, the aggregate cost could be a huge savings, particularly if you have a long commute. Do the math at Energy.gov.

5. Plan a family and friends Earth Day Gratitude Celebration for April 22, 2016.

What is the Global Earth Day Gratitude Celebration?

From 7:30 to 8:30 PM on April 22, 2016 Earth Day (worldwide, in your own time zone) we're encouraging everyone to power up the gratitude and power down the grid. Get as close to personal net zero as you can. Illuminate by moonlight, candlelight or LEDs. (It will be a full moon.) Count your blessings. Observe the fresh insights that flood your own awareness and the world consciousness. Be epic.

Here are a few ideas for your Earth Day celebrations. We'd love to hear your tips and plans, too. So, be sure to use the hashtag #EarthDayGratitude to share your celebration plans, particularly if you are doing something amazing.

- Celebrate by moonlight, candlelight or LEDs. Count your blessings.
- Dance. Sing. Host your own unplugged karaoke or a drum circle kirtan chant on the beach or at your local public park.
- Focus on energy efficiency. Get as close to net-zero as you can.
- Power down cell phones and computers. Try the unplugged life! It's only one hour!
- Encourage local corporations, schools, newspapers, news programs and city management to spread the word about the Earth Day Gratitude celebration.
- Share your celebration suggestions using the hashtag #EarthDayGratitude!

Natalie Wynne Pace is the bestselling author of The Gratitude Game, The ABCs of Money and Put Your Money Where Your Heart Is (aka You Vs. Wall Street, in paperback). The ABCs of Money has been ranked at or near #1 Investing, Basics (free) on Amazon for over 18 months (since March 31, 2013), with over 125 reviews, of which almost half are 5-star. Natalie Pace has been ranked a #1 stock picker, and is a repeat guest on national TV and radio shows such as CNBC, Good Morning America, Fox, ABC-TV, Forbes.com, NPR and more. Her budgeting and investing strategies have saved homes and nest eggs for more than a decade. Her mission is to add a splash of green to Wall Street and transform lives on Main Street. As a strong believer in giving back, she has been instrumental in raising tens of millions for public schools, financial literacy, the arts and underserved women and girls worldwide.

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