Low-lift New Year habits can save money, cut waste and emissions

Americans looking for a fresh start in 2026 can pair common New Year’s resolutions with practical steps that also aim to cut climate impact, according to an Associated Press report published as the year-end holiday period was wrapping up.

The story presents several “low-effort and low-cost” habit changes tied to saving money, improving organization, and eating in ways that reduce waste. It also frames the steps as options for people trying to “spend less, declutter or eat right,” with the expectation that small household changes can add up over time.

For people seeking to save money on household bills, the report points first to energy use. It says electronics and appliances can continue drawing power even when they are turned off, and recommends unplugging items not in use, such as chargers and entertainment systems, or using a power strip with an on-off switch.

The AP story also cites guidance from the U.S. Department of Energy, saying that adjusting a thermostat by 7-10 degrees Fahrenheit (4-6 degrees Celsius) for eight hours a day can save up to 10% a year on heating and cooling. It further recommends washing clothes on cold settings and air-drying them when possible, saying the biggest energy draw in laundry comes from heating water and that clothes dryers are among the most energy-intensive household appliances.

Matthew Gonzales, vice chairman of the National Hispanic Energy Council, told the AP that additional simple steps include switching to LED bulbs, sealing drafty windows, and replacing dirty air filters so heating and cooling systems run more efficiently. He also suggested using natural light during the day, strategically opening or closing curtains and windows to manage heat, and turning off lights when they are not needed.

Gonzales told the AP, “Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good enough,” adding that savings vary depending on factors such as where someone lives, the age of their home and local energy prices.

The report then links health-focused resolutions to waste reduction. It says cutting down food waste can benefit a person’s wallet, diet and the environment, and cites Environmental Protection Agency estimates that food waste costs U.S. consumers $728 every year and generates greenhouse gases equivalent to 42 coal-fired power plants annually.

As one approach, cookbook author Anne-Marie Bonneau suggested starting with what people already have in their pantries before shopping. She told the AP, “If you have fat and an onion and a couple of random vegetables — or even one random vegetable or some leftover cooked proteins or grains — you’ve got soup in the making,” and added, “If you’ve cleared out so much food that you don’t even have an onion and fat, it’s probably time to go shopping.”

Bonneau recommended preserving food before it spoils, including fermenting vegetables such as making sauerkraut with cabbage, salt and a glass jar. The report also describes freezing sauces made from seasonal vegetables like tomatoes, and says using a multicooker for items such as apple sauce, yogurt, stews and beans can help with meal prep while reducing energy use.

The AP story also says Bonneau recommended eating fewer ultra-processed foods, including sugary cereals, hot dogs, chicken nuggets and TV dinners, because she said those foods are often heavily packaged in plastic that can shed into food. Bonneau told the AP, “You’ll improve your diet, you’ll reduce your waste and your food will come in less contact with plastic.”

For people aiming to declutter and buy less, the report says getting organized does not require purchasing storage bins or throwing things out, and can start with using what is already at home. It quotes Katrina Caspelich, communications director for Remake, saying that spending even an hour organizing a space, identifying duplicates and rediscovering forgotten items can reduce impulse spending by helping people understand what they actually use.

Caspelich told the AP that a “one-in, one-out” rule can help keep wardrobes from growing and prevent clutter by encouraging more intentional purchases. She also said unsubscribing from brand emails and sale alerts can help because many impulse purchases are triggered by notifications, and the report says she added that waiting 24 hours before buying something can turn a “must-have” into a pass.

For a more structured reset, the AP story mentions no-buy challenges that pause new purchases for 30 or 90 days, and suggests alternatives such as re-wearing, repairing, swapping items or buying secondhand when a complete pause is difficult. Caspelich told the AP, “The key is flexibility,” and said framing the pause as an experiment rather than a strict rule can make it feel empowering instead of restrictive.

The report says Remake estimates that participating in a 90-day no new clothes challenge can save about 3,900 liters (1,030 gallons) of water, avoid roughly 300 kilograms (about 661 pounds) of carbon dioxide emissions and keep around 9 kilograms (about 20 pounds) of clothing waste out of landfills, while saving an average of nearly $300 by pausing new purchases. It also cites Environmental Protection Agency estimates that Americans generated about 17 million tons of textile waste in 2018, most of it clothing.

For readers overwhelmed by the volume of advice, the AP story ends with a simplified message: people “don’t have to do everything” and “don’t have to do it perfectly,” and starting with one habit they will actually keep can make a difference for their budget, routine and the climate.