Are you an eco chic warrior or a worrier? Don't get bogged down in guilt inducing checklists, we're all about finding easy ways to incorporate eco friendly changes into your life.  Check out our easy, breezy guide to the eco chic lifestyle and you'll be a bona fide Actionista in no time...

These ten easy life changes will ensure that you're saving yourself, the planet and your wallet from unneccessary pain...

1: Save time, go online!
Instead of consuming unnecessary paper, opt for the online versions of your regular actions:

• Pay your bills online
• Bank online and cancel your paper statements
• Check out online magazines and newspapers like nzgirl
• Only print documents out when you really need them – do you really need to keep a paper copy of that email?
• Shop online – check out our guide here, or step it up a notch and check out TradeMe for some awesome pre-loved goods

2: Don’t drive like a crazy person
In a hurry to get somewhere? Leave earlier! Did you know that constant accelerating and braking uses more fuel? So drive smoothly - your passengers and environment will appreciate it. Additionally, try lightening your load and drive a smaller car – you’ll use less fuel and save moolah. Even better yet, you could car pool, bike, walk or take public transport.

3: Save water. shower with a loved one!
Water, one of our most precious commodities! While it may seem like we’d never be short of H20 in New Zealand, you can still do your bit to conserve! Take shorter showers and share with a significant other – or install a shower head, like the luxurious Maia beauty shower that gives you the feeling of a luxury shower, cuts out chlorine and thanks to an inbuilt flow restrictor, uses less water! A great nzgirl example of an eco win win - check out Tee's love for it here!

4: Dress for the weather
The great thing about winter is being able to layer up! Merino, scarfs, coats, jeans, boots, leather gloves – it’s a never ending masterpiece of fabrics, textures and colour! If you’re getting chilly, think about putting on another layer before turning up the heat. You’ll save a ton of money and power. Check out Anya's guides for dressing to the weather here.

5: Recycle and re-use
Pay it forward! Pass on old clothes and household items to people in need instead of chucking them out. Try getting some extra use out of them items before recycling them. Dispose items such as paint, power saving light bulbs, and batteries carefully. Our office manager Sherrill is always looking for supplies for her art You may be able to recycle them – just ask your local council about this.

7: Go local
First think, will you actually use what you’re about to purchase? If so, try to by local. Try markets, boot sales, and NZ made. Even better you could make things. Not only are you buying items, that haven’t traveled far, but you are supporting the NZ economy.

6: Shop wisely
Think about your purchasing habits when you’re at the supermarket – prepare a list and make sure you’re only buying what you need, not just what’s on a whim. Consider easy opt-outs, can you buy energy efficient lightbulbs instead of usual lightbulbs (they last longer and use less power) or buy free range eggs (they taste better!). Don’t forget your eco-totes to carry it all home in!

8: Eat less meat and grow a tree
It takes more energy and land to farm animals for meat than it does to grow crops. Plus plants absorb carbon dioxide (whereas animals, including us produce carbon dioxide and methane) and produce oxygen. Carbon dioxide and methane contribute to global warming, so the less of these gases in the atmosphere the better.

9: Dirty laundry
We’re a clean freak society these days – but there are ways to lower your world impact by washing wisely! If you’re putting on a clothes wash, opt for a cold water cycle and see if you can cut down your 3-4 load average to 1-2 a week. Find a spot outdoors that lets you dry your clothes without a drier. Bear a thought to your skin as well – we like Ecostore’s range of laundry gear to keep your clothes clean, your skin free from harsh chemicals and the environment happier with a biodegradable formula.

10: Nurture your skin
Looking after the world is important – but so is looking after you! That’s why we love the Aveeno Skin Relief range, a line of body care products that are specially formulated with natural colloidal oatmeal and unique soothing ingredients for relief of itchy, extra dry skin...for healthy, beautiful skin. We particularly love the Aveeno Active Naturals Skin Relief Moisturising Cream, it's lush and creamy and filled with the natural goodness of colloidal oatmeal, cocoa and shea butters, and cooling menthol. It provides a non-greasy protective barrier that helps repair even the driest of skin and prevent future dryness. 

Tee and Krystle
 
Get yourself in the draw to win a gorgeous Aveeno pamper pack and a Maia beauty shower - two of our favourite examples of how being an Actionista doesn't mean you have to miss out on pampering and luxury for your skin! Click here to find out more...