We've all seen those little jars of essential oils in the supermarket and wondered what to do with them. Try this easy and effective DIY idea to create a deodorizing and natural alternative to air fresheners: Upcycle a clean plastic container with a lid by filling it with baking soda. Add 15 to 20 drops of your favorite essential oil scent, and shake the container with the lid on. Use a hole punch to perforate the plastic lid. Place the lid back on and let the natural fragrance fill the air wherever you need a pleasant scent. The baking soda will absorb odors, and the essential oils will release fragrance.

A simple and easy way to save money at the health food store is to take advantage of the bulk bin section. According to the Bulk Is Green Council, organic bulk foods cost about 89 percent less than buying the same item in packaged form. Since bulk bins do not have excessive packaging, the consumer saves money. Generally, bulk items like nuts, flours, spices, grains and other pantry staples are a greener option to buy since less packaging also means more can be transported on trucks, which means less fuel is wasted. No disposable paper and cardboard packages have to be made, so forests and the energy to make those packages is eliminated, too. But the best reason to buy in bulk? You can try something new without committing to a whole lot of it.

If you're going to the mall this weekend, make the effort to park your car in a shaded spot under a tree or inside a parking garage. Shade helps keep your car cooler, which means you won't need as much air conditioning to cool down the car when you return. Keeping your car as cool as possible naturally also helps to reduce the evaporation of gasoline in your gas tank. Gasoline evaporates all year long, regardless of what season it is, but the hot summer months are the worst for gas loss. So even if there is a spot right at the entrance to the mall in the bright, hot sun, park further away in the shade -- and you'll save gas, money and get a little exercise, too.