Personal view: Hello, well, this is my very first blog on this site and I thought I should write about different ways to save money and the enviroment at your own home :]. I really hope this helps! Photography: by me both Bottom and header :]
We all know the basics, turn off electricity when you are not using it, never leave water running and so on. But with some more small simple steps we can change how much we spend and help the enviroment. Here are some things you can do to help:
Saving Money- Home
Lets start with a few simple things shall we? :]
- Shut off the water heater when you go on vacation- or better, at night. You do not need hot water when you are sleeping or when you are not home. Turn it on when you wake up in the morning. The water might be cold at first but it will sure wake you up.
- Unplug electricity not in use. Some things you might want to unplug are radios, microwaves, toasters, laptops, and so on. Unplugging these small electrical devices can save you so much money. If these items are plugged in but not in use, then the electricity is being fed to nothing.
- While using your cellphone, and you know it will be a long conversation, charge it while using it. That way you don’t have to charge it afterwards and just leave it there. Extra!: Try writing a letter to family or friends that live far away. Your messages stay private and you can express your personality with drawings or adorable stationary. Or impress others with your neat, beautiful handwriting. Remember writing is an art too!
- Use the sinks to wash dishes instead of the dishwasher. They waste way too much water, and, in my opinion they cannot clean very well. Although, you have to remember to save water when washing the dishes also. While washing the dishes, do not leave the water running. If you enjoy doing that, I suggest you plug up the drain and fill it with water. Scrub the dishes (you can get a pack of really good sponges for $1 at Market Basket!) and do not turn any water on until rinsing. When you do start rinsing, use warm water and turn on a necessary amount. Do not blast the water or wash the dishes every time one person finished eating. Let the dishes stack a little. Also, use less soup.
- At night, or during the day, use a draft stopper for the door in the winter. If you have curtains, thats a double. Close the curtains or if you have long curtains in front of a sliding glass door, press the curtains against the crack of the door. This stops the cool air from coming in and you’re nice and warm!
- Think about getting your house insulated, also keeping your house warm in the winter.
- While boiling water, boil the necessary amount of water that you NEED. You do not need to fill the pot all the way to the top unless you’re making for more that 5 people<–exaggeration. :]
- Keep an eye out in newspapers, magazines, or mail for coupons. Take advantage of them. They can really help you save money for shopping. (Don’t forget to recycle the newspapers and magazines!)
- Recycle bottles, cans, and glass bottles at your local grocery store. You can redeem these items for cash and it will lower the cost of your groceries, every penny counts!
- If you have a fireplace, use it. It uses much less energy than a heater. Sure there maybe smoke but it is natural and cleaning it is not that bad.
- Showers use much less water than baths. Shorten your showers by shaving off five or ten minutes. You can save gallons of water this way. Also, reduce the pressure of the water. The harder and faster the water showers, the more water is wasted. You also don’t want to get pounded by water :].
- Think about installing a half-gallon toilet. It will save water every little bit counts!
- Carpool! :] Ride to work with a friend or have family drop you off and pick you up. It saves gas. You can also take the train and the bus. Take the train to nearby cities or far cities or you can take the bus to places that are too far to walk to. Also, this is the best one, WALK! Walk as much as you can to as many different places that you can go. It’s good excercise too!
- Invest for Less: Recycle batteries and buy rechargeable batteries. (They may be expensive but they are worth it! I recommend Enelope by Sanyo. Remember to buy a charger!)
- Invest for Less: Buy and install flourescent light bulbs. They will save you money and electricity. They are also very bright.
- Make your own lunch. :] It’s nice to eat something your mom made or you made. It’s much healthier than buying fast food and if you pack your lunch in a paper bag, re-use it or carry your lunch in a small tote bag.
- Wash some clothes by hand and hang the clothes outside to dry. This saves water and energy. This is also the traditional way of washing clothes in the first place. If you have a tough stain I suggest removing it by scrubbing it with a brush.
- If you are using a washing machine, use cold water. It works just as well. I suggest Tide Coldwater but look up on it because you might have an allergic reaction to it.
- Read something instead of watching television.
- Go a few (only a few) degrees warmer in the summer and a few degrees colder in the winter. (A suggested temperature is about 65 degrees.)
- Try not to charge your cellphone when you are sleeping. Charge it when it is about to die when you are awake. When you first see that your phone is fully charged, take it off the charger.
- Pay attention to neighborhood (or city) newsletters. They can alert you about recycling programs and where you can take hazardous items, like computers or televisions. Remember to not just throw away these items! Look for a recycling facility where they can take these items.
- Do not throw away your papers. Collect them over a few months and take them to a recycling dumpster. You might be able to find one near local public schools. Cross out personal info and rip it up!
- Use ceiling fans or hand pleated fans in the summer and reduce the air conditioning.
- If you have a hardwood floor, use a broom or dusting cloths**
- **After using the dust cloth for simple dusting, use it to dust the floors. (Make sure you dust everything that is needed to be dusted!) or if you use it just to dust, save it for later.
- Use a sponge (or a napkin you re-used to clean) and wipe the dining table.
- Make your own glass cleaner!
- One cup of rubbing alcohol
- One cup of white vinegar
- One cup of water
- And a really, really tiny bit of dish soup (literally mean a drop)
- Mix it all in a spray bottle and you’re ready to go! (this can also clean chrome)
- Clean your bathtub, shower, toilet with dish soap. Old fashion scrubbing is not that bad.
- Brush your teeth in the shower. You’ll clean the shower anyway and it saves time.
- Give your old clothes to the Salvation Army or public clothing drop off. Do not throw perfectly good clothes away!
- Get windows that trap in heat (Double pane windows) buy windows that do not need painting. You need to save as much as you can!
- Use old rags for cleaning and keep reusing them. You can also use these rags for some arts and crafts.
- Looking for a new television? I suggest buying a LCD screen because it’s really bright and uses less energy.
- In your home, focus on decorating with things you have or things you made. Hang up the pictures your children drew in a frame or explore your creative side!
- Buy your own soup dispenser and buy a large supply soap refill.
- Limit your spending. Have a budget for free spending.
- Buy the cheap 99 cent tissue boxes.
Well that is all I really have for now. But I will come up with more soon! If you have any ideas please share :] Lets all make this world a better place.
photography by: ArtisticAngel15
Thankyou so much for reading!!!
Sincerely,
Artisticangel15
Advertisement
