Everybody could use a little extra cash in the summer. But what if I told you there was a way to earn money without working? And that you could help save the planet at the same time?? And that it would be super easy?! Because there is! There are a ton of simple things you can do this summer to cut down on expenses and help out Mother Earth. Try out some of these ideas to save money and save the planet.

1. Unplug and go outside

Summer is meant to be spent outside in the sunshine! Turn off your electronics and head outside instead of binge-watching Netflix. Make sure you unplug your electronics before you go, because they can use electricity even when you aren't using them. Taking the extra few seconds to unplug things like phone chargers, lamps, or TVs could save you at least 10 percent on your monthly electricity bill.

2. Use Tupperware

Stay away from disposable plates and utensils at your backyard barbecue. Paper and Styrofoam plates are very wasteful, and Styrofoam can take up to 500 years to decompose in a landfill. Using reusable dishes will save you money and cut down on waste. Plus, colorful dishes are way more fun than boring white paper plates!

3. Turn the AC Up

There's no need to keep your house cool when you're not there! If you are going to be gone during the day, set the thermostat a couple degrees higher to save some electricity and some money. You can set it to return to your normal temperature about an hour before you come home.

4. Turn the AC Off

If the weather is nice enough, open the windows and turn off the air conditioning. Try using window fans at night to bring in cool air instead of wasting money on air conditioning. A standard air conditioning unit can add about $150 to your bill every month. In comparison, using a box fan only costs about $4.50 a month. A high-powered ceiling fan costs about a penny per hour. If you used a ceiling fan for 12 hours a day, it would only cost $3.50 per month.

5. Compost

If you're feeling super adventurous this summer, try starting a vegetable garden! Instead of throwing away your scraps at dinner, start a compost pile. Food waste makes up about 20 percent of the garbage in landfills. A lot of that food can be saved and used to provide nutrients in a garden. Composting is great for the soil and reduces the need for the use of potentially harmful chemicals. Growing your own food also saves you from buying expensive produce at the store. For more information on starting your own compost garden, check out this helpful site.

6. Carpool

Car emissions can account for anywhere from 50 percent to 90 percent of the air pollution in a given area. Whether you're driving to work or taking a trip to the beach, ask your friends to start a carpool! Not only does it cut down on harmful carbon dioxide emissions from your car, but it will save you a ton of gas money. Less drivers also helps to reduce traffic!