There’s nothing that warms the cockles of my heart more (and if you can locate those, I hope you’ll keep the info to yourself) than combining the two things I love best — hanging out with friends and saving money. So here’s a tip for you to go green and save some, too: Invite friends over and turn down your thermostat.

Just let everybody’s body heat ramp up the room temperature. According to one estimate I read, in an enclosed room (not Gauguin’s porch above), each human being’s sweet 98.6 degree F. body generates heat equivalent to a 175-watt heater. SO imagine what 10 friends can do! Things could get downright steamy.

OK– but what about the money side of entertaining? Friends don’t let friends starve, right. So it can cost more than you’ve saved in heat to wine and dine your buddies. Problem solved. Declare the party an eco-friendly pot luck. Ask each guest to bring one dish of food, so you ALL can save.

And instead of lots of wine and beer and an open bar, make one huge batch of punch — going easy on the alcohol, not because you’re chintzy — OK, maybe a little — but really because you care about your friends’ health. It’s lots cheaper and oh so fun. For the non-alcoholic fare, forget bottled water and soft drinks — way too pricey. Whip up a batch of lemonade. If you need the exercise, start squeezing lemons. But if you want to save even more money and time, just spring for a big can of powdered lemonade (you’d be surprised at how authentic it tastes. Slice up a real lemon and add it to the pitcher for a little tang and a natural touch.

Cheers! Here’s to good friends, good fun and green savings.

And send me your favorite tips for saving money and going green.

– For some more short tips on going green and saving money, check out this post from The Frugalist

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