Our ability to deal with the current economic crisis came at a time when our nation’s consciousness was already focused on reducing,re-using, recycling. This article will focus on the other type of green; money and how to see more of it.

Efficient Homes Earn Green

After a one year hiatus, Congress restored the tax credit for energy-efficient home improvements in 2009 — a tax credit for 10% of the cost,up to a maximum $500, for such things as adding insulation or putting in high-efficiency or alternative energy air conditioner and furnaces.

You may also claim a 30% credit for installing solar water-heating equipment — and the previous $2,000 cap is now gone.

Claim unclaimed assets

States are sitting on billions of dollars in unclaimed assets, including lost bank accounts, misplaced bonds and securities, dividend checks,uncollected utility deposits and unclaimed life insurance benefits, according to the National Association of Property Administrators. Check MissingMoney.com, a free site, to see whether any of the money belongs to you.

To search the nation, go to UnclaimedAssets.com to learn where to look for billions of dollars’ worth of unclaimed assets held by the federal government, including Social Security checks, tax refunds and pensions.

Something To Make Retirees Smile

Social Security beneficiaries get a 5.8% cost-of-living increase in 2009, the largest in more than 25 years, boosting the average monthlyretirement benefit from $1,090 to $1,153. Almost as good for seniors , for the first time since 2000, the monthly Part B Medicare premiumthat is deducted from Social Security checks won’t rise. It stays at $96.40 (except for some higher-income seniors who pay a surcharge).

And for those 70 1/2 or older who are lucky enough to not need to pull money from their IRAs or 401(k)s, they won’t have to. The requirement to take an annual minimum distribution in 2009 is being waived to give investments a chance to recover.

Coupons

Google your favorite store and “coupons,” and the links to coupon codes are endless. It’s easy to do this before any purchase, both for instoreand online purchases. Sites like RetailMeNot.com posts 80,000 coupons for 15,000 stores and bradsdeals.com has about 2,400 deals and lists coupons that will expire by day’s end. Use these sites in addition to comparison shopping on sites like shopping.com.

Rentals

Visit zilok.com, a site very much like Ebay but for Rentals, and rent everything from a baby crib to a car to a paint sprayer. Fees are set by each item’s owner and renters typically have to arrange for the swap of item and cash.

Barter

Each of us has special skills…why not trade services with a friend or neighbor? A graphic designer could create an invitation for a massage therapist. Or a Realtor could offer a home valuation in trade for a tune-up on their car. The great cook could trade a week’s worth of dinnersin exchange for a computer fix. The possibilities are endless!