Tuesday, September 15, 2009

10 WAYS TO SAVE MORE, WASTE LESS

Try some of these tips to stretch your dollars, save time, and conserve natural resources. Can you add to this list? Let us hear from you and we will include your suggestions in a future blog.
1. Drought-proof the landscaping. Slow-growing, water-efficient plants require less resources and maintenance.
2. Power down. Plug electronics into a power strip, and turn off everything before bed with a single switch.
3. Use smart products. Look for plant-based soaps with baking soda to use for laundry detergent. You can save up to 50% per load.
4. Recycle greeting cards. Remove the message portion and use the front panel as a postcard or a gift tag on a present.
5. Become your own handyman. Invest in a home repair book and learn to fix simple things yourself.
6. Deodorize your sneakers. Use a product such as baking soda or dryer sheets to deodorize smelly sneakers and gym bags. You won’t feel the need to replace them so soon.
7. Start a garden. Grow your own vegetables. They taste better and cost less than store-bought produce. Freeze or can extras and enjoy them all winter.
8. Plan a clothing swap. Have friends exchange clothes, shoes, and accessories they or their family members no longer wear.
9. Check out your local library. It has many books, movies, and music CD’s to borrow at no cost.
10. Share experiences. Research shows that creating experiences like going to the movies or meeting friends at the park brings a person more joy than spending money on material possessions.