Simple Ways to Save

Home Inventory Made Easy

2009-06-22T21:09:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you but I've never really done a home inventory. This may surprise you since I've had damage from a hurricane, a fire, and a burst water pipe. Each time the damage was not fully covered because I either didn't have the proper coverage or didn't have my belongings documented properly. Uhg...

I'm hoping that there won't be a next time. If there is, I'll be better prepared.

Several months ago I picked up a digital recorder at a thrift shop. the plan is to go room by room and do a sweep of the room. Recording what's in the room and then doing close-ups on important items. In each room, I'll have to open drawers, closets, and cubbies to expose hidden treasures.

Burning a copy to disk and storing it off site or uploading it to a remote storage site could help me back up any future claims. I'm also marking my calendar to update it twice a year.

The digital recorder can also help validate the shape things are in.

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Feeling Frazzled

2009-05-22T21:06:00.000-07:00

In my zeal to get more done I've crammed more into a day than Fibber McGee squashed in a closet. I know we all do it.

In an effort to get more done and get more bang for my effort, I'm making an attempt to get an extra hour of sleep a night. There is increasing evidence that getting more sleep can ward off disease, slim our waists, and improve our memory. I could use all three.

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Some Things Have to be the Original

2009-05-10T21:18:00.000-07:00

Sometimes a copy just isn't good enough. Thus is the case with Coca Cola. my Hubs loves to have a Coke with his lunch and dinner.

The rest of the time he will drink a generic copy.

So, the way I get the most bang for my buck is to collect the Coke rewards points than to trade them into the site for discounts on future purchases of Coke products. they offer nifty coupons with cents off a purchase of individual drinks or 12 packs. I then wait for the 12 packs to go on sale and stock up.

I even try to get others to save the codes from boxes and from under the caps of the sodas.

Yep, we stack em high in the laundry room and ration them out 2 per day. So, some things are worth every penny we spend but that doesn't mean we want to spend more than we have to.

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Repurposing a Friend's Tea Jug

2009-04-28T21:25:00.000-07:00

While visiting a friend I saw some sturdy looking jugs in which tea is sold. I had an idea.

Those jugs would be the perfect solution to the pool cover blowing off during the winter. I had tried plastic milk jugs but the flimsy plastic didn't make it through an entire winter.

This time it was different. I filled the jugs with collected rainwater and secured them to the pool cover's grommets with a length of rope and a caribiner. Shazam! It worked like a charm. The pool cover didn't budge all winter. And the jugs look good as new.

Over the summer I'll continue to use them to store rainwater for the plants for easy watering. Next winter, I'll string them up again--again and again until they have used up their useful life. then, I guess I'll have to figure out what to do with them. They are recyclable if I can't find another suitable use.

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Old T Shirts are Great for Drying Curly Hair

2009-04-22T21:00:00.000-07:00

That old concert may have seen better days but before you send it to the rag bin, try another repurposed use. Cut a large rectangle from the shirt. Okay, you put the scraps in the rag bin now.

When you go to dry your curly hair use it as a towel. Gentle pat the moisture from your locks or wrap your head in a turbin style while you apply your makeup. The thirsty towel will help it dry without disturbing the curl pattern.

I even pack one when I travel.

They don't need to be washed often and can easily be thrown in with towels and hung on the line when they do.

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Get in Shape With Exercise Equipment

2009-04-12T18:08:00.000-07:00

Home Fitness Equipment

What Exercise Equipment Will You Choose?

Today, people are getting more concerned about their physical health. Because of the increasing numbers of cases of heart disease, diabetes, and obesity, you have the right to be concerned about your physical well-being. This is why many people are now enrolling in gyms and are now starting working out to get and maintain a healthy body. But all of this has a price tag. And will that gym destination even fit into your lifestyle? Ouch, and there is your pocketbook to consider.

By working those muscles (with your Doc's approval of course), you will not only build a healthier body and healthier heart. You can't deny the fact that a good looking, muscular body exudes more sex appeal. That extra flab isn't doing you any good. Hmmmmm, guess I ought to look in the mirror. Want more self-confidence and self-esteem? Exercise can do just that.

If you find working out in the gym boring or...expensive. Yikes! Have you seen what a membership costs?

You can still workout even if you don’t go to the gym. There is fitness equipment that you can purchase and use right at the comforts of your own home. These home fitness equipment can work wonders for you.

Parents, do you need to keep a constant eye your kiddos? You should consider getting home fitness equipment. You will also enjoy your workouts because you can watch your favorite TV shows while you workout. I've placed my own treadmill in front of the TV. I can't say it gets me to run more often, since I prefer the great outdoors, but it does combat boredom.

You can also consider getting weights or other types of equipment. Keep an eye out for sales if you have your heart set on a particular item. You could also put the word out to friends and family to let them know you are looking for equipment. It just might be that someone your brother knows is just itching to get a treadmill out of his way. There is also www.freecycle.org or www.craigslist.com for good used stuff. The point is to save money. With the right home fitness equipment, you will be able to get a high quality workout and get that great looking body you have always wanted (if you do use it) without putting too much of a dent in your wallet.

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Make Stew With Leftovers

2009-04-06T08:48:00.000-07:00

Looking for something quick to make for dinner? What could be faster than throwing some leftover ingredients in the slow cooker before work?

Combine leftover veggies, some broth or water, and some rice (noodles, or potatoes will do too) and put the cover on.

You'll come up with your own delicious recipes. Make a list of what you put in and if it's absolutely fabulous...well, you can recreate it in the future.

It's easy and it's hard to go wrong with veggies.

So, what's for dinner tonight?

By enlisting this practice, I avoid letting food go to waste. This saves money and time. By using my slow cooker I reduce my electrical use. It's also easy to portion out enough for tomorrow's lunch.

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The Change in the Bottom of Your Purse

2009-04-03T18:29:00.000-07:00

Got change? No, not the impetus to effect a different circumstance--at least, not directly. Change: you know, the stuff weighing down your purse that you never dig out. Well, sit down and dump everything out of your purse. Yep, it's scary in there. Go ahead and clean it out. File the receipts, ditch the gross stick of gum, which lost part of it's wrapper. The expired coupons can go into the trash.

Okay, now you're getting there. The coinage in the recesses can add up. I added up the jingly and it totalled $5.78. That's a premium coffee drink, a magazine, or a lip balm. Wait, if I save it, it may be the difference between comfort and scraping by in retirement.

I haven't decided what to do with my new found money. I'll probably settle for something in between. A treat now and then gives me the courage to stick with a plan.

What will you do with yours?

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The Lunch Bunch With Wings

2009-04-02T18:18:00.000-07:00

For some time now, I have been an avid participant in the http://www.angelfoodministries.com/ program. For those of you who are new to my blog, Angel Food is a co-op that offers grocery savings. So, we sign up the month before pick-up. For $30 we get enough food to feed a family of four for a week. Wow, have I been impressed.

So, now we are making it fun. This month the group is meeting for lunch before Angel Food pickup. We're going to hit my favorite Mexican joint.

We're saving a ton of money and spending a wee bit of it to get together and enjoy each other for a a time.

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April Fools Day

2009-04-01T20:58:00.000-07:00

Ah, another April Fools Day has almost come and gone.

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Too Many Seeds in a Packet?

2009-03-28T20:48:00.000-07:00

I picked up several packets of seeds this week. Out of curiosity I counted the seeds in the packs. Just as I suspected, there were many more seeds than I would use in a single growing season, so it occurred to me that a great practice would be to trade 1/2 packs with other gardeners.

My brother-in-law does a bit of gardening, perhaps I'll trade with him.

The other idea I had is to start extra plants and give them away to encourage gardening. With all the uproar over the economy, a little victory garden may just be what we each need to pick up the wallet slack.

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Repurpose Before Recycling

2009-03-21T15:49:00.000-07:00

I love magazines. Well, I should, I make a living writing for them.

You know that I love to save money. And I'm a friend to the environment too.

Naturally, I pop my old magazines into the recycling bin when I'm done with them. But could there be more? I'm suggesting that we send them on to families who cannot afford to buy them. When we buy a magazine, we barely cover the costs of production. Getting the print out there facilitates advertisers. Passing on a magazine to someone who would not ordinarily get it may increase the reach of advertisers and increase the market. Who knows, when income increases, they may become a subscriber?

Perhaps send them to a local girl scout troop to use in craft projects such as story boards.

Use them to line the birdcage and then throw them in the composter (for use on lawn, not veggies).

My grandma made me a string of beads from magazine pages that were rolled on toothpicks and sealed with a glue like mixture. She even made me a string from surplus wedding announcements. Really cool. Huh?

The point is that repurposing trumps recycling in the big order of things. I'm trying to do my part.

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Woot! We are Still Reducing Electrical Usage

2009-03-17T20:52:00.000-07:00

In the month of December we set out to reduce our consumption of electricity, and WOW did we ever. Still looking for new ways to save, we are continuing to save even more. Last month we got our usage down to 476 kwh.

It's the little things that add up. Unplugging when not in use turned out to be one of my biggest electricity sins. Our TV uses a ton of electricity even when off. Phantom drain is real.

I was planning in January to undertake water usage. unfortunately there have been many challenges in our neighborhood with the water. Seems road construction has lead to numerous water main breaks and thus, much flushing of the lines. Our water usage is through the roof! Yikes! We have had brown, dirty water. I'm not usually a fan of bottled water but have consumed more in the past three months than is environmentally friendly.

So, construction is slated to be over soon and I'll tackle water usage.

Until then, I'll be tackling smaller ways to save money.

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My Monday Staycation

2009-02-16T20:04:00.000-08:00

It's Monday again. I woke up exhausted and dreaming of a vacation. Just a mini would do. So, I headed out for a professional meeting and raced back to the office afterward--to look for vacation ideas on the internet.

I don't know where the word came from or who coined it. Staycation. I've laughed at the word. What kind of word is that? But, it applied here. I still can't believe I'm using it. I'm sure I'll get plenty of ribbing about it tomorrow.

I took my first "staycation." Two hours in a restaurant with my favorite sparkling water and a yummy appetizer. I enjoyed it. There was no racing through dinner. For less than $20 I was able to mentally get away for a while. $20 was a true value on a day like today. It satisfied the need without a trip away.

Maybe vacationing is more about being fully present and enjoying where you may be.

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A Crazy Way to Save on Heating Bills

2009-01-25T19:38:00.000-08:00

I have found the most inconvenient and disruptive way to save money on heating bills. No heat at all. Ugh...

For the past few months we have had issues with the city water supply due to a roadway drainage improvement project. We heat with a boiler system. No water means no heat. Add to that, the system and plumbing was damaged considerably by debris that was allowed into the line. So, off and on, we have had no heat.

Aside from being an inconvenience, we have not been able to implement our planned heating bill reduction strategies. The new timeline will be February 1st. Plan to spend the month with us and examine sensible ways to lower your heating bills--without freezing.

So, cross your fingers, the repairs will be done soon and I can make up with the city over this incident. On with improvement!

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Day 31 Happy New Year

2008-12-31T06:01:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

It has been 31 days and yet we keep finding ways to save electricity. Because it has been so beneficial for me and my family, I'll continue to blog household savings. In January, I'll be blogging ways to cut back on the heating bills. If any of my readers have experience in this area, I would welcome a quest post and link to your regular blog. Contact me at iNails at hotmail dot com.

I saved one of the biggest savers for last. If you heat with electricity, turning the heat back can save a bundle. We heat with a combination of oil and electricity so this has worked well for us. We were gifted a heated mattress pad which we warm up before bed. It costs pennies to use and keeps us toasty. I tend to turn it off once it's warm because I still haven't gotten used to the idea of sleeping on heating coils--that's another post.

I put in a programmable thermostat and programmed it to turn the heat way back starting a couple of hours before bed. Now, we really cut it back. At night the temp is set to 50 degrees. We bought some warm PJs and a sleep cap. I've even found I sleep much better when it is cold in the room. A bonus.

We have also curbed our use of the electric heat.

Don't forget, today is the last day to sign up for the monthly newsletter and get a chance to win.

Don't forget to register for the monthly newsletter. The button is to the right. At the end of December I am giving away a Kill-A-Watt meter and 2 microwave pizza trays. More goodies to come. All you have to do is register for the newsletter during the month of December to be eligible for the fishbowl style drawing.

Day 30 Saving Electricity

2008-12-30T05:47:00.000-08:00

Okay, now that the holiday is almost behind me, I'll tackle the issue of holiday lights.

The lights are fun. Every year I look forward to going and looking at them. Once upon a time we would even put up quite a display of our own.

This year we did not put up lights outside. We set put to enjoy the most fantastic lights around. In fact, the light display we found ourselves going back to over and over again was on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. If you are familiar with the area just go south on the bypass road and hang a right at Pigman's BBQ and go straight. You can't miss it. But hurry, they come down on the 1st.

For me it's a better deal to let someone else put up the lights and pay the electric bill. I'll drive by and enjoy the scenery... and yes, throw a tip in the jar if provided. Or, the fish tank as the case would be here.

Don't forget to register for the monthly newsletter. The button is to the right. At the end of December I am giving away a Kill-A-Watt meter and 2 microwave pizza trays. More goodies to come. All you have to do is register for the newsletter during the month of December to be eligible for the fishbowl style drawing.

Day 29 As the Year Comes to Close

2008-12-29T10:17:00.000-08:00

As the year comes to a close, I look back on accomplishments and look forward to new feats.

It's been very cold and I am pleased that we have learned to pull on a sweater instead of turning up the heat. We have learned to close doors and turn off lights.

I went back today to check my carbon footprint. What I found made me feel good about our efforts over the past year. Our previous reading was 11.8 CO2/yr and our new reading... Drum roll please..... Ta Dah...5.4 CO2/yr. We more than cut it in half! Wow.

That survey didn't include all of the little things we did such as giving ecofriendly gifts and sharing rides. It didn't include switching the Rv to solar.

So, go ahead, set a benchmark and see what your carbon footprint is. Then come back at the end of next year to see what a difference you have made.

Now, if diets were just that easy. I'll leave that for www.twitter.com/girlwithnoname A better body would be her area of expertise.

Don't forget to register for the monthly newsletter. The button is to the right. At the end of December I am giving away a Kill-A-Watt meter and 2 microwave pizza trays. More goodies to come. All you have to do is register for the newsletter during the month of December to be eligible for the fishbowl style drawing.

Day 28 Lowering my Electric Bill

2008-12-28T04:28:00.000-08:00

Did you know that water heaters can wear jackets? I sure didn't. I'm investigating reducing my bill by buying a jacket for the water heater.

Don't forget to register for the monthly newsletter. The button is to the right. At the end of December I am giving away a Kill-A-Watt meter and 2 microwave pizza trays. More goodies to come. All you have to do is register for the newsletter during the month of December to be eligible for the fishbowl style drawing.

Day 27 Hail to the Cook

2008-12-27T04:21:00.000-08:00

We love good food. Who doesn't?

I get sidetracked sometimes. And so here is an attempt to curb that and save some kWh!

Invariably, I'll preheat the oven and then leave it for a few minutes (or more) after it is preheated. Every minute the oven is cooking with nothing in it is a waste. Our oven/stove is electric. Boy was I surprised at how much I wasted.

So, I now have another use for the handy kitchen timer that stays clipped to my top most of the time. It will take some time to see if it makes a difference. I hope that 5 years from now I'll be evaluating my electric bill and we will be creating more electricity than we use--and selling it to the Electric Company.

Don't forget to register for the monthly newsletter. The button is to the right. At the end of December I am giving away a Kill-A-Watt meter and 2 microwave pizza trays. More goodies to come. All you have to do is register for the newsletter during the month of December to be eligible for the fishbowl style drawing.

Day 26 Save the Electricity

2008-12-26T04:17:00.000-08:00

Okay, I know it is splitting hairs for some of you, but I have decided it is worth the effort for me to power down monitors overnight and on weekends. After tracking the usage with a meter, I have decided to adopt the habit. The laptop hard drive basically turns off automatically. The Desktop was a power hog--but NO more.

Don't forget to register for the monthly newsletter. The button is to the right. At the end of December I am giving away a Kill-A-Watt meter and 2 microwave pizza trays. More goodies to come. All you have to do is register for the newsletter during the month of December to be eligible for the fishbowl style drawing.

Day 25 Saving Electricity is Adding up Big.

2008-12-25T16:01:00.000-08:00

It's Christmas day. And for me that means looking at everything I have to be thankful for. It turns out I have a lot to be thankful for.

Hard won rewards for noble efforts feel good. Sometimes what we attempt doesn't work out the way we intend, so when it does, well...it feels great.

It got me thinking about the electricity challenge. For today, we will enjoy the lights a little longer. We'll turn the heat a bit warmer and keep the ipod playing a little louder. It doesn't mean we have thrown care to the wind. We will just take a break and enjoy the benefits of saving all year.

I was looking over our power usage for the last 5 complete years, month by month. It's been a gradual reduction. Awesome.

Our usage went as follows: 2004/14060 kWh, 2005/10978 kWh, 2006/10627 kWh, 2007/10574 kWh, 2008/10009 kWh.

I've been comparing month-to-month averages and year to year. It's nice to track it because the data starts to add up. Up until this December I had a haphazard approach to tackling the electrical usage. Not anymore. I've worked out a system we can stick to. "The Electricity Diet" will stay with us. We haven't exhausted all the possibilities for saving.

My Christmas wish is for a windmill to power our use. Hear me, Santa?

Don't forget to register for the monthly newsletter. The button is to the right. At the end of December I am giving away a Kill-A-Watt meter and 2 microwave pizza trays. More goodies to come. All you have to do is register for the newsletter during the month of December to be eligible for the fishbowl style drawing.

Day 23 Save Electricity While You Sleep

2008-12-23T06:40:00.000-08:00

I admit it, sometimes I fall asleep with the TV on. Until now, I never gave it much thought. So, okay, I don't really want to get up out of bed to unplug the TV before I fall asleep and sometimes I'm just so tired. Turns out my TV has a sleep timer on it. I can simply set the timer for 120 minutes and it will turn of when the time is up. So on nights when I'm peppy, sure, I'll get up and unplug the TV. But on the other nights- the ones when I drift off- it's okay because it will turn of automatically. Cool

Day 22 Save the Earth by Using Less

2008-12-22T06:27:00.000-08:00

Don't forget to sign up for the monthly newsletter. Everyone who signs up this month is entered into a drawing fishbowl-style for a variety of goods related to the electricity saving theme.

To save water, time, electricity, and effort, only wash clothes when you have a full load. I'm realizing that I really don't need to run 14 cycles when 6 get the clothes plenty clean. To continue the effort, only dirty clothes get washed. If something has been worn once it may have another wearing in it before it gets washed. It's amazing how much laundry there is. many times a family member tried something on, took it off, and tossed it aside. Maybe it's dirty, maybe just wrinkled. Who knows? So in the hamper it went. No more! Only dirty clothes get washed from now on.

Day 21 Simple ways to Save on My Electric bill

2008-12-21T06:12:00.000-08:00

It turns out that a cell charger uses quite a bit of power just being plugged in. That means when the phone is fully charged, well, every minute after that is a waste of electricity. The power drain is amazing and sickening at the same time.

Today I'm timing my phone to see how long it takes to charge and then unplug it. Once I know how long it takes, I'll be able to set a kitchen timer and then unplug the phone. I just love kitchen timers. not sure how much difference it will make. I sure won't be leaving it plugged in overnight anymore! I also found a cool lot of solar cell phone chargers and am snapping one up to use on the go and when camping.

Don't forget to register for the monthly newsletter. The button is to the right. At the end of December I am giving away a Kill-A-Watt meter and 2 microwave pizza trays. More goodies to come. All you have to do is register for the newsletter during the month of December to be eligible for the fishbowl style drawing.

Day 20 Cutting our Electric Bill

2008-12-20T05:58:00.000-08:00

We have been trying to adopt new habits that will cut our dependence on the public electrical grid. So far it has been hard to remember all the new things to do each day and we are constantly reminding each other when we slip up. But i know it will get easier and become a way of life.

The habit for the day is for me to start unplugging things when I am done using them. I have to tell you that this one delights my Hubs, AKA "Mr. Safety." He would unplug the fridge when I wasn't looking if I wasn't careful. Ha! No, really, he has been trying to get me to unplug for years.

Don't forget to register for the monthly newsletter. The button is to the right. At the end of December I am giving away a Kill-A-Watt meter and 2 microwave pizza trays. More goodies to come. All you have to do is register for the newsletter during the month of December to be eligible for the fishbowl style drawing.

Day 19 Woohoo! The Savings are Heating Up.

2008-12-19T05:00:00.000-08:00

Fans? It's winter here in Virginia!

Okay, I get it. And yes, I have ceiling fans.

Wow, was I surprised to find that reversing my ceiling fans could help with heating the house and reducing the electric bill. I don't have to run the portable heater as long with the fan reversed and pushing the warm air back down. I can't believe it. It really works.

So, come summer, I'll be reversing them again--to take advantage of the savings.

Day 18 Cutting Our Dependence on Electricity

2008-12-18T07:31:00.000-08:00

Looking for ways to cut the electricity has become a bit of a CSI experience in our home. I'll find myself standing in front of an appliance, scratching my head, and wondering exactly what it costs to operate. Then, out come my trusty new friend, the Kill-A-Watt meter to measure the usage and set the issue to rest.

Some things aren't so simple to measure but yet we know they make a difference. Insulation, for instance, helps conserve but is difficult for homeowners to measure--without waiting for the fuel and electric bill.

Sadly, my home is an oldie and needs some attention in the insulation area. I found some great videos on YouTube.com that show it step by step. My hope is by bring the insulation up to par we will reduce the number of times the furnace cuts on and off, thus saving electricity. We may also be able to nix some of the electric heater usage.

Don't forget to register for the monthly newsletter. The button is to the right. At the end of December I am giving away a Kill-A-Watt meter and 2 microwave pizza trays. More goodies to come. All you have to do is register for the newsletter during the month of December to be eligible for the fishbowl style drawing.

Day 17 Save Electricity, Save Our Earth

2008-12-17T05:53:00.000-08:00

The salon is super busy. There is a waiting list for last minute clients and I'm running shorter and shorter on time. EEEKKK.

We own an RV and during the summer it's a pretty cool source of fun for our family. I would rather camp in a tent but hubs isn't as much into that as I am. He enjoys the TV and a cold one from the handy fridge. And so we have the nifty rig parked in the yard when not on the road. But the batteries have to stay topped off (mostly so it's ready to use at a minute's notice) and there is the rub. It's another thing to plug into my home's electricity.

It feel so sinful when I find a way to get around the rules! He he he. I got a nifty trickle charger that has a small (12 inch x 12 inch) solar panel. Hubs altered it just a bit. After all, modification is his middle name. When we are not using the rig, the battery can stay topped up. This won't recharge a dead battery but it makes a nice accessory to help with the energy savings and electricity reduction plan around here.

Day 16 Electricity Reduction Made Simple

2008-12-16T05:39:00.000-08:00

Simple is what I need these days. The Christmas holidays are here and I am NOT ready. No, it's not what you think. My gifts have all been purchased and they are neatly wrapped and stacked to make Christmas day easier. The plight this Christmas is that expenses have risen faster than income. As I look to formulate a budget for the year I am forced to make a few concessions. I'm not sure what they will be, but I know they must be far reaching to prepare for the year ahead.

The electricity challenge has helped take the edge off and I hope to keep up the habit once the month is over. Perhaps do a once a year checkup and add some new behaviors to the bag of tricks.

So, simple things are better these days. I've got a lot on my mind. This is where timers come into play. I like the idea of timers. Lights make it appear like someone is home to ward off burglars. Well, these little gadgets can also make sure that lights don't stay on too long. I like the idea of having outdoor lighting on timers. Likewise the entry door and bedroom light. I picked up extra "timer dogs" so that my outdoor lights could run through a couple of different cycles, which cut out an hour or so of lighting time. Yippee!

Day 15 Erin is Moving Forward to Saving

2008-12-15T05:00:00.000-08:00

I know, this one seems a little silly. Even my hubs was like, "That's stretching it."

Don't care! I'm into the savings and the way I see it, this one will save some. I have scads of low voltage lights on one side of the house. All of these units have 18w bulbs in them. Back when they were installed, I wanted it , well, BRIGHT. The truth is I don't spend much time out there at night and they really don't need to be that bright. Several of the bulbs have burned out and it's time to fix them. This time I'm putting 4w bulbs in the light fixtures.

The savings may be small, but they are mine all the same.

Don't forget to register for the monthly newsletter. The button is to the right. At the end of December I am giving away a Kill-A-Watt meter and 2 microwave pizza trays. More goodies to come. All you have to do is register for the newsletter during the month of December to be eligible for the fishbowl style drawing.

Day 14 of Erin Snyder Dixon's Electricity Reduction Challenge

2008-12-14T05:00:00.000-08:00

In areas where there is little ambient light, I am installing solar lighting. In trying to design the plan, I found that only half of my yard gets adequate midday sun to recharge the solar lights. That actually worked in my favor. Low voltage lights will remain on one side and solar will go on the other, and around the swimming pool.

The Solar post lights on either side of the driveway gate turned out very well and I think I will be happy with them. I'm not sure of the savings they should garner.

Don't forget to register for the monthly newsletter. The button is to the right. At the end of December I am giving away a Kill-A-Watt meter and 2 microwave pizza trays. More goodies to come. All you have to do is register for the newsletter during the month of December to be eligible for the fishbowl style drawing.

Day 13 and Counting the Electricity Savings

2008-12-13T13:31:00.000-08:00

Hubby was really pleased with the results of the electricity challenge. Isn't it time to do an electricity challenge of your own? It's easy to pick a few key areas to concentrate on and...wham, the savings start to add up fast.

Around my home, it has become like a snowball gathering speed. Every day is getting a little easier to remember to turn out the lights. We are reaching for a sweater before we touch the thermostat, and we think before plugging something in.

Today I chose to work on making the outdoor lights a little less expensive. Yeah, yeah, I know. Electricity is cheap in Virginia--only 6.22 cents per kWh. But does that give me a licence to use with reckless abandon? Probably, but I won't.

The Dept. of Energy has a wealth of data and guidance. I found information on daylighting devices (dim the lights in proportion to the available light) and dusk-to-dawn sensors (on at night, off in day) and found exactly what I needed.

I have started to use screw-in type sensors that I found at Lowes Home Improvement. You can check sites like nextag to compare prices and availability for the different types of sensors.

I usually forget to turn the outdoor post lights off in the am. I'm hoping this will help keep the bill in check. By my rough calculations I should use roughly half the electricity on these items that I had previously used.

Don't forget to register for the monthly newsletter. The button is to the right. At the end of December I am giving away a Kill-A-Watt meter and 2 microwave pizza trays. More goodies to come. All you have to do is register for the newsletter during the month of December to be eligible for the fishbowl style drawing.

Day 11 Keep the Savings coming

2008-12-11T17:49:00.000-08:00

Okay folks, it's time for a little wrap-up. The month is just starting to get in swing and I'm getting aquainted with the savings strategies.

My latest electric bill was just posted and already it's a 43 kWh reduction. That doesn't sound like much but we have posted record breaking low temps and it still adds up to a 6% reduction. Did I mention that this statement only covers 3 days of December? Wow! How much can I save in a month? You will just have to stay tuned to find out the results.

Today, I spent some time researching the best ways I can target our electricity usage. I've also been thinking about what to do over the next 2 months of blogging. After talking it over with clients, we decided that January should be dedicated to carrying on the electrical savings and reducing our heating costs. In February, we should begin a targeted attempt at reducing water usage before the summer months. It's so cool that everyone has gotten into this.

Day 10 Do the Save Electricity Happy Dance

2008-12-10T05:00:00.000-08:00

It's so exciting. While I have no way of knowing how much energy I am saving, I still feel validated. Newsletter subscriptions are coming in. By the way, I do a SMALL newsletter every month chronicling ideas for saving money and the earth.

I am about a third of the way through the challenge. I'm finding so many ideas that I think I could continue for months...but not here. I'll try not to bore you to tears.

You may have noticed form my photo that I have an incredible amount of unruly hair. While drying it with the hair dryer is quite a workout for my arms, it makes a dent in my electrical usage. If I dry it all the way through, it takes about an hour. No, that doesn't happen very often. Usually I get it dry enough that it's passable.

My goal is to put down the hair dryer. I have hair that is best left to air dry anyway. Not everyone can do this. I'm lucky. Even with a different hairstyle, I could cut back on how many minutes I use the dryer. A handy kitchen timer could be set for the target time, thus giving me an idea of how long it has been running.

I can remember being a kid and my father making us girls stand outside while the electric meter spun gleefully round and round. I don't remember what he said. Hey, I was kid and went something like, "blah, blah, blahblah, blah...."

This goes for other beauty gadgets like the curling iron and rollers. The goal is to cut back. Even if I gave up using some of these items one day a month/week it would make a downward difference in my bill. That's what I'm after. Little changes with rewards I can measure!

Don’t forget that we are giving away prizes at the end of December. To be eligible simply register for our monthly newsletter on the right. We don’t spam and we NEVER share your email address. One of our lovely prizes is a Kill-A-Watt meter to help identify what gadgets really draw in current. Pass it along. More prizes coming.I will also be sending out tweets that go along with the challenge www.twitter.com/BeautyWriter saving electricity is truly a beautiful thing.

Day 9 Erin's Elecricity Challenge

2008-12-09T05:00:00.000-08:00

This one probably goes without saying...except we don't actually DO it.

You guessed it! Turning the lights out when we leave the room. When prompted, I always respond with something like, "I was going right back in there." The truth is I get pretty sidetracked, hence the kitchen times clipped to my collar. Ha ha ha.

Repeat after me: "I do pledge to make an effort to turn out the lights in the room as I leave. I agree to thank the person who reminds me and not to make up an excuse. I also agree to use daylight if overhead lighting is not needed."

It doesn't seem like much, but in my house, it's huge. People can always tell when I'm home because the house id lit up like a Christmas tree. I go to one room for something and then flit off for something else. Before I know it there are lights on in every room! And don't even think about what happens if I need to run to do a quick errand. Oh my. This could save me a tone of money.

Don’t forget that we are giving away prizes at the end of December. To be eligible simply register for our monthly newsletter on the right. We don’t spam and we NEVER share your email address. One of our lovely prizes is a Kill-A-Watt meter to help identify what gadgets really draw in current. Pass it along. More prizes coming.I will also be sending out tweets that go along with the challenge www.twitter.com/BeautyWriter saving electricity is truly a beautiful thing.

Day 8 Counting Electrical Savings

2008-12-08T05:00:00.000-08:00

This will take some getting used to. I intend to use the microwave more.

The microwave takes less energy than heating up the oven. I went online and purchased some cooking items made just for the microwave. http://tinyurl.com/6c5pqt

I'll give microwaving pizza a shot and see if my family diggs it. i can't promise I'll be cooking entire meals in it. After all, I love to cook and it brings me great joy.

It just means I'll be saving the oven for when I can cook several things at once. While I'm at it, I'll set one of my timers (everyone knows how much I love little digital kitchen timers) so that I don't leave it preheating too long.

The moral of the story is to use the appropriate tool for the job. Why heat up a TV dinner in the oven when it can be done in the microwave?

Day 7 of My Fabulously New Low Electric Bill

2008-12-07T05:55:00.000-08:00

Wow, I'm really getting into this now! You guys have been great spurring me on to find more prizes and new ways to cut my electric bill.

With current events on every one's mind, how we consume and what we consume is increasingly important. People who never clip coupons are suddenly doing so. So, I know a change is happening when folks who normally consume without much thought strike up conversations with me and want more information about the challenge. Hmmmm.

"What's this electricity challenge all about?"

You see, I am a writer by trade and I also run a salon spa. Normally I'm involved in covering beauty, fashion, and business issues. The Electricity challenge was born out of the starting of a personal blog. I never thought that so many people would identify with the challenge.

So, now I talk about energy as well as beauty as a daily routine. it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. hey, maybe I can turn the thermostat down another degree? Hmmm. Ideas, ad more ideas.

Today's electricity saving endeavor is quick and simple. I've purchased thermometers for the refrigerator and freezer. I placed them inside and waited 24 hours. Oh my goodness! I found that my freezer and fridge were WAY too cold. Was wondering about those frozen veggies in the fridge a few weeks back. Hmmmm, may have the answer.

So, I adjusted the temps down and intend to check it in a day or so. The cool thing about the thermometers is that they show a range in color so you don't have to guess what temperature the fridge or freezer should be to keep your stuff safe and fresh!

While I was at it I vacuumed the coils. Don't know if that helps, but it was something that needed to be done anyway.

Day 6 Still Finding Ways to Save Money on the Electric Bill

2008-12-06T05:00:00.000-08:00

Okay, I have to admit that I am a huge fan of hanging the clothes on the line to dry, but as winter sets in I can get a bit lazy. During the winter the items don't dry quite as fast. That means I must plan ahead for laundry.

To combat winter laundry I'm getting in the habit of popping it in the washing machine first thing in the morning and then handing it on the line soon after getting ready for my day. i think I like the idea of accomplishing something before I ever get to work!

By dinnertime the clothes are dry or almost dry. Even if I have to put them in the dryer for a few minutes, I've still saved a ton of money.

While we are on the subject: did you know there is a International Clothesline Week? go to http://www.hangtodry.com/ and mark your calendars for the first full week of June.

And did you know that the folks at EnergyStar don't rate clothes dryers because there is little difference between them and they all use huge amounts of power.

I just love that clothes last longer, smell fresher, and are not filled with extra chemicals from dryer sheets and fabric softeners. A big plus is also that I don't have to iron. I pop my hubby's shirts on a hanger and let them dry--they go straight to the closet in perfect shape every time.

Day 5 Drastically Reducing My Electric Bill

2008-12-05T05:00:00.000-08:00

Today I'm trying to incorporate a new habit. Opening the blinds in the morning to let in the sun. You see, it's winter and we need the warmth. In the summer, I will have to adjust which blinds are open and when for the AC to work effectively.

The sun streaming in from the east is fairly strong. Within several hours the rooms facing east are warmed. This allows me to cut back the heat even more. Sunlight is quite flattering and is free. I'll get in the habit of reading by the window instead of turning on another light.

Just before the sun goes down, I'll close them to prevent the heat from slipping out. I'm toying with the idea of an insulating insert behind the blinds. Because of allergies, we don't have curtains. I'll also look into more energy efficient, insulating blinds as the need arises to replace the ones we have.

Day 4 Electricity Challenge- Continuing to Save Money

2008-12-04T05:26:00.000-08:00

The computer is my friend! And the printer, fax, TV, stereo, ipod...

Over the years I got into the habit of leaving everything plugged in so they would always be charged. Some things I used often while others, maybe once a month.

I've invested in some smart power strips. Devices can be plugged in and then when not in use, i can simply flip the switch and STOP the phantom power drain at the source. The smart power strip can tell when I turn off the computer and it will turn off the printer and other peripherals.

The power strips I picked up also function as surge suppressors to protect my devices. Now that could save some money.

Day 3 Electricity Challenge

2008-12-03T05:05:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you but in our family, we run the exhaust fan in the bathroom, especially during and after showers. The trouble is it runs and runs and runs...

Running the exhaust also sucks the heat out of the house, as well as using more electricity than needed.

So, from now on we are going to make an effort to turn on the exhaust only when needed and turn it off promptly when done. I'm sure it will be an adjustment. And there are times we will forget.

Running it less could make a significant reduction in our heating oil use? Who knows? We will just have to see.

Maybe January should be dedicated to reducing heating costs. Could we really find 31 things?

I was thinking about a timer for the exhaust but think it would make me lazy. My goal is to be aware, not to let go of awareness.

Day 2 Reducing My Electric Bill and Saving Money

2008-12-02T05:03:00.000-08:00

CFLs and LED technology

A great debate has begun over the safety of using CFL bulbs in the home, considering that they contain a small amount of mercury. As a person who is chemically sensitive from previous overexposures to hazardous materials, I want things to be safe.

I have a choice if I want to use technology which requires less electricity: CFL bulbs or LED components.

CFLs contain varying amounts of mercury so they could be a hazard if broken in the home and not cleaned up properly. http://tinyurl.com/5rdf56 I am going to need to weigh the dangers carefully. http://tinyurl.com/yq8a6l Energy Star puts out an informational pdf to help. http://tinyurl.com/2elryb Unbroken CFLs should be recycled and broken CFLs should be cleaned up properly. Check out the links if you want to educate yourself on how to do it. The CFLs contain much less mercury than the fillings in my teeth. EEK, is that a good thing? The good news is that the amount of mercury is being reduced dramatically.

While CFLs are readily available, I may choose to use LEDs in areas where they may come in contact with children or pets and use CFLs where they are not likely to get broken. I am not sure; I will have to think on it a bit. I would love your input on the matter. For more info on LEDs go to http://tinyurl.com/6ns7zl

I’ve gone online, and discovered a site http://www.eartheasy.com/ , and ordered a few goodies to try. First, I scooped up an amber LED bug light http://tinyurl.com/68mfh3 for outside. At $14.95 it’s about three times more expensive than the traditional incandescent I normally use. However, it will use less electricity and that reduces mercury emissions into the air at the power plant side. Yippee! It's one good thing for the environment that will also help on the electric bill. Another source for LEDs is http://tinyurl.com/6krxb7, http://tinyurl.com/6c2dsa , and http://tinyurl.com/5rjrkm .

No matter what type of bulb you choose, you’ll probably like to know what type of savings to expect. Right? GE has a whole house calculator for CFLs http://tinyurl.com/64sltf

I’m changing the bulbs in my home (about 2300 sqft) and in my Salon. Some bulbs have already been changed, so I’ll have a head start. Last year I put in natural light fluorescents in the salon to help fight a vitamin D deficiency. A side is that the natural light bulbs lift mood and can prevent seasonal affective disorder, which can strike during the winter.

Benefits all around.

Don’t forget that we are giving away prizes at the end of December. To be eligible simply register for our monthly newsletter on the right. We don’t spam and we NEVER share your email address. One of our lovely prizes is a Kill-A-Watt meter to help identify what gadgets really draw in current. Pass it along. More prizes coming.
I will also be sending out tweets that go along with the challenge www.twitter.com/BeautyWriter saving electricity is truly a beautiful thing.

Electriciy Challenge Day 1 to Lower Bills

2008-12-01T05:00:00.000-08:00

Today is not the beginning of a quest but the hyperextension of one that has been going on for many years. Over the next 31 days, I have promised myself to research ad carry through on the things I need to do to tweak my energy usage.

Yes, that is my meter on the left. I had it checked a few years ago and the power company needed to replace it. The trouble was-- it couldn't be done in a single day. This is how it sat for a week. It was too funny not to take a picture of. Somehow, I don't think binding is an effective way of keeping electric bill small?

Each day I will check in and share a bit of the journey.

I called the Power Company and they told me that last year I used 916 kWh during December. My goal is to reduce that. Here in VA the rate for electricity is low, a mere 6.22 cents per kWh. Even so, how low can it go?

In the past I have just implemented energy savings ideas with no strategy on how to get from point A to point B. Sure, they probably helped, but did I miss some? Quite likely!
My first stop is the energy audit. Some consumers in my area are eligible for a free audit through the power company through a pilot program—I am waiting for a call back to see if I qualify. However, while I wait, I am still researching.

The US Dept of Energy has great information on choosing a company to do an energy audit and what to do to get ready. http://tinyurl.com/6bb4lz For more information on energy audits go to http://tinyurl.com/6q3vqb

Our local news did a piece on energy audits and used Chopper10 to evaluate heat loss with heat seeking radar and some other fancy electronics. Wouldn’t it be cool to have that done?

Now, I have an idea of what they look for. I will contact some companies and see about having the audit performed, but for now, I will start my own.

Well, I am off to make a checklist of what to look for.

If your company offers related services please let me know and I will give you a shout out. I am also collecting prizes to award at the end of the month. Winners will be chosen at random from the names of those who sign up for our monthly newsletter (on the right) so go sign up now! We still need more prizes so donations are welcome and I will place a link to your business on my site. iNails hotmail dot com.

A lot to think about in a short period. See you all tomorrow.

Lower Your Electric Bill in 31 Days

2008-11-29T13:00:00.000-08:00

December will be dedicated to lowering our dependence on the public electrical grid. Every day, I will be posting a different way to reduce your dependence on electricity and to lower your bill. So, go get your electric bill and look to see how many kwh you used last December. If it isn't listed, call your electric company and ask. This will be your starting point (assuming you haven't moved or increased your base load since last year).

Sign up for my newsletter with your email. No, I don't publish frequently and won't clog your email with offers! You can unsubscribe at any time. Just register your email address ans select the mailing list you want. At the end of December I will choose a winner from the new sign-ups! The prize has not been determined yet. I'm still scouting donors. If you have a relevant electricity/earth saving product and would like some free exposure, contact me at iNails at hotmail.com I would be happy to promote your item/website as a service to help readers.

We may end up with several prizes! Wouldn't that be fun?

While you are here leave a comment on the posts and let us know what you are doing to save.

So, help yourself and help the planet. Sign up for my newsletter and qualify to win prizes in December.

Register for Newsletter, Qualify for prizes!

2008-11-28T15:50:00.000-08:00

Prizes are coming. Stay tuned. December is devoted to: 31 days to reduce your electric bill.

I have been researching and scouring the far reaches to bring you the info you need to go way down. So, go ahead sign up for my newsletter (published monthly) and you can win prizes in December.

Black Friday Strategies

2008-11-28T14:59:00.000-08:00

The dishes are barely cleared from the Thanksgiving table and shoppers are already in high gear for Christmas shopping. Shoppers will likely shed a few calories in the chaos as well as their hard-earned dollars.

One thing keeps reverberating in my mind. Spending doesn't mean you are saving--if it's something you don't really need or want.
So the big question is: Do you really need it and/or do you really want it?

Advertisers are good at making us think we want something. They make us think that we will be happier, prettier, thinner, more loved, more popular, etc. if we just use a certain product/brand. The truth is that you just might be happier if you passed on that offer. The happiness of financial security may just outweigh what you will spend. And don't even get me started on what happens if we put that want on a credit card. I'll simply say that your savings disappear!

So, what am I doing on Black Friday? I'm staying home. You see, my shopping is almost done. I made a simple list of my gift giving needs. I chose smaller, more local (more on this in future posts), and consumable items that I know people will use. It may be a pound of favorite coffee, kitty treats, or a pampering item from my salon line of beauty care products.

Having the shopping stuff mostly behind me, I was free to enjoy sleeping in. I didn't have to get up and brave the clod to stand in line at 3am. If this brings you joy, then go for it! My husband and I went through some clothes to donate to a local charity (our favorite is Children's Hospital of The Kings Daughters), Raked some leaves and tended our organic garden, and hung freshly washed clothes on the line.

Enjoying time together as a couple also saves money. Couples who accomplish things together establish a foundation that prevents having to spend money on marriage counseling. I know you are laughing and may even think me a little un- American.

I'm not saving to stop buying gifts or stay home. I'm just saying to think and make a conscious choice before opening your wallet. If it brings true great joy, then go ahead. But only if you can afford to do it without going into debt.

e.l.f. Follow-up

2008-11-24T17:49:00.000-08:00

Well, as promised, I’m back with some follow-up information on the e.l.f. cosmetics I've been testing out. My personal results are what matters most to me so I’ll share those with you now. Periodically I’ll be back to share some of the results of other testers.

Therapeudic Conditioning Balm (in Vanilla Crème)- This is my new favorite! At about a buck (before any discount) I’m impressed. It compares to other brands at way more moola. I found it felt so nice on my lips that I made it part of my bedtime routine too. I have really sensitive, dry skin. Shea butter pampers my lips and makes them feel soft and silky. If I had found just one item that did what it claimed and delivered a whammo savings to my wallet, this item would have been worth the search! But read on, because the fun is just beginning.

Plumping Lip Glaze (Oasis, and Fire Coral)- Whoopeee! Previously, I’d purchased my lip plumping products from a big time cosmetics store. You know the one. They have a location in Times Square with a ginormous array of beauty products for us to lust after. I’ve been (noticed past tense)the better part of a twenty dollar bill on my lip plumper of choice. NO more, I tell you! This stuff rocks! The clear base goes on easy and tingly with a hint of shimmer. Then the color glaze glides over the top. My lips still felt moist and they looked great. I had clients in the salon commenting on my lip color. The tingly sensation wasn’t too much and felt refreshing. I would continue to buy this item over and over again. And at the great price, I can try many colors instead of having to choose one measly tube. More for me.

Moving on… remember that e.l.f. has generously agreed to give a 50% discount (up to $7.50) on orders if you use the code BeautyWriter at checkout. No, I don’t get paid for this. In the interest of full disclosure I would let you know if I did. So, go to www.eyeslipsface.com for your discount.

Shear Foundation SPF15 (Tone 2)- The shear moisturizing foundation felt great on my skin. Virtually weightless and featherlight to blend. It has a light scent of oranges that is refreshing. Not as much coverage as I like, but an awesome choice for around town, working out, or for teens new to experimenting with makeup. The color was perfect. It did quench my thirsty skin.

Eye Primer & Liner Sealer (clear)- How cool is this. The liner sealer makes indestructible eye liners from your favorite shadow! And the shadow base keep shadow in place all day without budging. It adds a step to the routine, but I’m thinking this will be a step that is worthwhile when there is no time in the day for touch ups. I probably wouldn’t use it every day, but it’s a must for when I have speaking engagements. The shadow base is simple. Twist the stick up and apply, then smooth with your fingertip. Done.

That’s it for now. I still can’t believe that this stuff will be available in places like Target. What will I tell the gal at the makeup counter when I scale back? I’ll probably lean in and whisper, “check out my blog.” She knows I’ll be back to at least try every newfangled thing that comes along…at least once.

e.l.f. has generously agreed to give a 50% discount (up to $7.50) on orders if you use the code BeautyWriter at checkout. No, I don’t get paid for this. In the interest of full disclosure I would let you know if I did. So, go to www.eyeslipsface.com for your discount.

Santa's Helper Could Save You Big

2008-11-19T15:07:00.000-08:00

Okay, most of you realize that I own a salon spa and write for the beauty industry. I'm not easily impressed and neither are my salon clients.

I spend time on twitter keeping track of trends emerging in the beauty industry. One of the trends is consumers trying to save money. During a twitter session I was introduced to a cosmetic line I hadn't heard of. You see, I spend a lot of time at the department store cosmetics counter. Enter e.l.f. (eyes, lips, face) on the scene with an impressive list of magazine spots and news coverage for doing just that--Delivering top quality cosmetics for rock bottom prices.

When I first went to the e.l.f. website I had to do a double take. Could that be? Is it on sale? No. I was certain that with prices that low there was no way it could be all that good. Wow. Was I surprised. The box arrived with the sampling of goods I ordered( Lip plumpers, conditioners, glosses, and eye shadows). It was becoming apparent I had hit pay dirt!

Whooo Hooooo! It was like Christmas for me and my clients who will continue to test and report on some of our findings.

I have a had a chance to use some of the products and so far I love them. Stay tuned for some in-depth reports on just what the testers find.

If you want to do your own test and jump-start your savings on beauty care, go to www.eyeslipsface.com and enter the code: BeautyWriter at checkout. You will get a 50% discount on purchases up to $15 (max discount $7.50) Make sure to sign up for their newsletter to get future discounts.

Disclosure: e.l.f. has not paid us in any way for this posting. In fact we paid to order and try the products. Being a skeptic, I didn't want it to cloud my vision of the product. They have provided the graphics and were nice enough to offer the discount!

When You Reach for the Switch

2008-11-15T19:19:00.001-08:00

Oh yeah, you know what I'm going to say? Make sure you turn the lights out when you leave the room? Well, that's partially true. Turning out the lights when you leave the room, or better yet, use natural window light to see will save you a bundle. But that isn't what I was going to point out.

Behind that faceplate is a space that air can escape or invade. Light switches and outlets are easy to miss. They are small and unassuming. How many outlets and switches does your house have?

Insulators can be found at your local hardware store for a few dollars a pack. They are quick to install and over time the savings can add up.

One thing I found in this old home is that some of the covers were ill fitting and there were gaps in the plaster around them that could be sealed with patching medium.

I have no clue how much savings can be garnered. If anyone has a calculator for that I would love to post a link here, so send it on.

Power Tip #5 Pull on a sweater. Add a layer of long underwear. Shrug into a cardigan. Do whatever you have to do to mitigate the cold BEFORE turning the heat up.

Power Tip #6 Add more blankets to the bed and you may get away with turning the heat way down at night. If you live in a colder region a heated mattress pad or blanket may be in order. That's about eight hours of turning the heat down. That's 720 hours over a 90 day period. What could you save if you turned the heat back over time?

Stay tuned for more Power Tips over time. Each one, on it's own, may not lend a drastic change. Put them together and you will have a supercharged savings plan.

Novel Ideas

2008-11-10T19:09:00.000-08:00

Starting a new novel is exciting. It's new, fresh territory with surprises lurking behind each keystroke. It is also demanding--a master that absorbs blocks of time. Since time is limited, I must choose how to portion out my resources.

The art and strategy of saving is in me as much as the determination to get what I want. At times they serve each other. At other times the two objectives collide.

Saving has become a priority for me. Sure, the economy is on peoples' minds but that's not it. The earth is my friend and I long to support the future, but that's not it either. The reality is that I have committed to beginning a new novel and I need the time to write. In turn, I'll be faced with turning down some jobs to accommodate more writing time. At this time saving seems to support me.

I'll continue to twitter my PowerTip each day as well as bring them to you here. If you would like to keep tabs on my progress, sign up for my newsletter. I expect it to go out about once a month. You don't have to worry about spam. I won't sell your name and I don't have the time to send out daily blasts.

For those of you following along on the ENERGY PROJECT, here are the past two tips:

PowerTip #3 Embrace CFL bulbs. They can cut energy use dramatically. Please be sure to dispose of them properly. Disposal sites can be found through your local bulk waste office.

PowerTip #4 Hey, is the carpet really dirty? Does it really need to be vacuumed twice a day. Could you cut back and vacuum every other day?

Stay tuned for more of the steps I've personally taken to reduce my dependence on electricity.

Little Changes, BIG Rewards!

2008-11-07T16:45:00.000-08:00

In a time when most things are on the rise, I am happy to report that my family's power usage is on the decline. When I tell people about the electricity project at my home, they often ask what I did to cut it so much.

First things first. How much did I cut? Well. I've been tracking my usage for a number of years now but not doing anything specific to manifest dramatic change. We went from an average of about 1200 kWh a month to 507 this past month.

Okay, averages don't say a lot. Let's compare month to month. Last year for the same period of time we used 916 kWh of power. Again, this year it was 507! And I'm not going to stop now. My goal is to hit 400 for a single month. We'll see if I can do it.

As I chronicle my electric adventures, I will also be Twittering the tips at www.twitter.com/BeautyWriter

So, far I haven't done anything big or expensive. No new windows or doors, no bundles of insulation , or new heating units! We have done small things consistently.

Stay tuned and we will share along the way.

Power Tip #1 Unplug things that just sit on standby waiting to be used. These are things like your coffee pot that has a clock, TVs with remotes, etc. To make it simple some people use a power strip to easily cut the power to things when not in use.

Power Tip #2 Microwaves use less power then the stove. Cook a big meal and then portion it for later heating in the microwave. You can even freeze complete meals and save a ton of time. Imagine, complete meals in your freezer you can grab for work. Bet you will even save money on eating out.

One last thing before I go. There is a great blog you should be reading if you are into saving money. Go to www.BudgeTips.blogspot.com

Until next time...We'll turn the light off for ya'.

Cleaning out the Clutter

2008-10-17T19:08:00.000-07:00

Well, today I started cleaning. I know it's a little late for spring cleaning. What got me started was cleaning the radiator baseboards. I had to move lots of stuff around which got me thinking. "Do I really like or need all this stuff and does it bring me more pleasure than the energy it takes to take care of it?"

The answer is... I don't even know where half of the stuff came from. Eeeeek. It seemed to have babies when I wasn't looking. Time to make it go away.

So, if I don't just love it, I'm getting rid of it. First stop eBay. I'm going to list as much of it as possible and take the money I make to pay down my debt. Whew, I feel better already. The cool part is, I have already sold two of the items I listed today. They are packed and ready for the Mail Lady to pick up in the morning.

If you are wandering around the net, stop by my eBay store and take a look http://tinyurl.com/6zr4ge I appreciate any business you can send my way. I am on a mission to reduce my consumption and make better choices about what I spend. Have a great deal you have found, I would love to hear about it and possibly pass it on.

Well, I'm back to listing and taking pictures of my treasures.

Practical Cooking Tips for Singles

2008-10-15T02:41:00.001-07:00

Living alone is not without benefits—peace and quiet whenever you need it, undisturbed organization and order (or guilt-free sloppiness), and room to stretch out and...

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When the People Around us are Going Hungry

2008-10-13T00:20:00.000-07:00

When was the last time you were truly hungry? No, not the type of hungry you get when you get engrossed in a project and can't pull yourself away. I'm talking the hunger you get when the cupboard is bare and there is no end in sight. Hopefully never. But even in a developed and progressive country such as ours, people go hungry. With rising gas prices, people are having to choose.

There is an answer to the food squeeze! It's called http://www.angelfoodministries.com/

Angel Food is a non profit food Co-op. There are no forms to fill out and your income is your business. Simply pick the package you want and prepay it. Then on your designated pick-up day, show up and pick up your boxes. If items are not picked up, they are donated to people in need.

I just love the program. It will feed a family of 4 for a week and it only cost $30. You can even use foodstamps for payment or you can pay online with a CC.

The food is first quality, name brand stuff, you have come to love. They also have a senior box. I ordered the senior box for my next door neighbor to make life a little easier.

So go ahead check it out. Encourage a friend or college student to try it. www.AngelFoodMinistries.com

The more people who participate the better the packages will get. There is power in many. So, if you know someone who could use a hand, why not gift them a box of angel food? If you are trying to stretch your own grocery budget it is a smart move. I'm looking forward to October 25th when I pick up my next AngelFood box.

Quick Bathroom Cleaning Tips from the web

2008-10-11T18:40:00.001-07:00

Quick Bathroom Cleaning Tips

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Water, Water, just not Everywhere

2008-10-10T20:37:00.000-07:00

As winter shakes her frosty view our way, we are confronted in Virginia with a water shortage. It's not bad yet but we are down. At the same time, the costs of utilities are on the rise and consumers are really starting to fret over the coming winter and rising expenses.

When it comes to water there are a few things we can do to conserve. I'm making my list and actively doing what I can to be a better consumer. Here are some of the things our household is in the process of checking off.

Suit up and crawl under the house to inspect for hidden water leaks. While you are under there, wrap pipes and insulate where needed to conserve energy.

Take up some space in the toilet. This is an old trick. Simply put a brick in the toilet or fill a soda bottle with some rocks. You will save the equivalent of the used space every time you flush the toilet. And if you can stand it, flush the toilet less often.

Install water saving shower heads that can be turned off while you soap up. We have this type of arrangement in the RV and it works quite well. I went on ebay and ordered a simple replacement shower head that only uses 1 gallon of water per minute. That will be quite a savings for me over time.

Replace the aerators on faucets with low flow ones. You will feel like you are using more water but will really be saving quite a bit. It's easy and can be done in just a few minutes for less than $5.

Turn off the water when brushing teeth etc. Simple.

Use a dishpan when washing dishes instead of running the water. Wash in one side and rinse in still water in the other instead of letting the water run. Let dishes soak a few minutes before starting to wash. Let the soap and water do the work for you.

Stop using the garbage disposal and start composting your kitchen waste. It is better for the environment and uses less water.

Don't water the lawn.

Go ahead and drink the tap water! Put a pitcher in the fridge and you will always have a healthy, cold drink.

Those are just a few things we can do today. There are many more and I'll be back to share some of them later.

By the way, I love to garden and grow my own veggies, but never use the city water for the garden. I have installed rain barrels that catch the roof water. it's a great way to have plenty of water and be environmentally friendly.

Plug up Those Cold Drafts

2008-10-04T19:00:00.000-07:00

As fall moves in, the air starts to cool and drafts start to work their way around tiny crevices. The little crevices around the windows, doors, and pipes, all rob precious resources. With heating oil, electricity, and natural gas on the rise, it becomes necessary to stop the hemorrhaging of money through these cracks.

So, I set out today to caulk windows and doors. First I spent a ton of time in the local home improvement store trying to figure out which caulk was best. 35 year or 50 year, watertight, paintable, colored, clear--oh my, the choices. Armed with a dozen tubes of caulk, I headed home to tackle the project.

At first, things did not go smoothly. I had caulk on my fingers, caulk in my hair, and even caulk in my mouth. Off to twitter I went in search of a real, live, warm, body, who had actually applied caulk before. No disappointment there!

Some of the things I learned. Why don't they put some of this on the package?

1. Cut the tip of the tube smaller than you think you need. you can always snip off more if you need to. Too big of hole and the caulk just oozes everywhere.

2. Rub a good hand creme into your hands before beginning, it makes it easier to wash off uncured caulk from the skin.

3. Use polish remover with acetone to get the caulk left around your cuticles if you don't use step four.

4. Try wearing gloves. this worked well when I could work at eye level, but not so well when I couldn't see what i was doing. i really needed to feel the edges.

5. Use shims of wood or cording to fill in the big gaps before applying caulk. This definitely saved a ton of material and was easy to push in with a flat blade screwdriver.

6. Practice with the caulking gun. A smooth even pressure with the gun moving is the secret!

7. wash up with soap and water PROMPTLY.

I have to say that it turned out quite well. The front door is done and I managed to also complete a window. As I get more proficient, I'm sure it will move along more rapidly. I have no idea how much I'm saving by doing it myself or even how much energy I can save. Would love a link to a website with some estimates. If you have one send it along and I'll post a link.

The process was satisfying. And, this gal did it herself!

It's Only the Beginning

2008-10-03T20:42:00.001-07:00

While I've always managed to get everything I ever needed, I realize that at some point I should look up to see where it comes from. 'Rain' silly. No really, eventually resources get strained or run out. I'm on a quest to live an even greener life. I hope you will chip in and help me find the answers. if you have a money-saving, earth-sparing, resource-reserving blog or website, I want to hear from you! I want to pass it along to share with readers. If you have a product I can't live without, I want to hear from you too.

I'll start simple.

Today is the day that I examine every new purchase or acquisition I make. I promise to not take more than I need and to share the bounty with others. This is my pledge.

I hope it will prove easy, liberating, and fruitful.