Want more bang for your resolution buck? Here are three ways to make conservation count as you flip your calendar to the new year.

1.    Reduce your consumption of animal-based foods, especially meat and dairy. Try “Meat-Free Mondays” and work toward making your meatless mantra a multi-day thing. By reducing your consumption of animal protein by half, you can cut your diet’s carbon footprint by more than 40 percent. If you’re already enjoying a vegetarian lifestyle, purchase locally produced foods as often as possible.

2.    Need a new home appliance? Be sure to invest in energy-efficient appliances that reduce your carbon emissions and save money!

3.    When the weather outside is frightful (and the nights never seem to end), energy consumption increases considerably to keep lights and devices on in our homes. Consider unplugging any electronics you don’t use overnight, and turn off lights in rooms you aren’t using. Try switching to LED light bulbs to save energy and money. Additional benefit: you’ll know exactly how many conservationists it takes to change a light bulb.