Buy Fewer and Smaller Things

This one is easy for me because big stuff doesn't float my boat. However, I know that society puts pressure on us to buy big stuff and the thought is that the more stuff we have and the bigger it is the more successful we must be.

Here is another way to think of it; the more stuff you have the more work it is to maintain. Try simplifying and buying less. When you do buy, buy smaller. Consider a smaller home when you are ready to move. How much of your current house do you rarely use? For example, do you need a large bedroom if you only sleep in it?

Buy a smaller vehicle or consider having your second vehicle being a city only vehicle - something small and energy efficient. Maybe even try a scooter or motorcycle for city driving.

How many shoes or shirts do you really need? Do you really need to replace your furniture?

less stuff = less costs = more money = less work!

Soap and Garbage

A simple way to reduce the trash you create and the yuck you put down the sink is to use bar soap not soap in a bottle. With bar soap you will use less at a time, so less goes down the sink unused. Plus, you won't have the bottle to throw in the recycling all the time so no waste is generated. The extra bonus is that it is much cheaper than bottled soap.

Save electricity and money in your kitchen

There are several quick and easy ways to save electricity and money in your kitchen including:

Stove:

• Use flat bottom pots and pans that fully cover the burner
• turn the heat off before cooking is complete
• use your microwave and toaster oven rather than the oven (this also keeps the house cool)
• use a crock pot to precook or cook your food (you can also do this outside so that it doesn't heat the house in the summer)

Dishwasher

• rinse your dishes with grey water (reused water - I keep a bowl in the sink to capture water when I wash my hands or vegies and use that water to rinse my dishes). This saves water during rinsing and also means you have cleaner dishes in the dishwasher so don't need as much soap and as long a wash cycle
• make sure the dishwasher is full before you press start
• be very nice and start the dishwasher during non peak hours - don't run it in the morning or during dinner time
• open the dishwasher to let the dishes air dry instead of using power to heat dry (this also adds humidity to the house)

Save Water Outside

With summer gardening here, make sure your outside water system is running efficiently. If you use an automatic sprinkler system, have it tested. In Colorado you can get a free test at www.conservationcenter.org.

Consider installing a quick and easy drip or soaker system to water your garden.

Check your hose connections at the house and make sure there are no leaks. If you use a handheld device it might need new washers or even replacing. Make the change now and reap the benefits all summer.

Try planting some plants in pots instead of the ground. This is a very efficient use of water (especially if you buy a self watering pot) and many plants (such as tomatoes and herbs) thrive in pots.

Also, mulch mulch mulch your garden and cover your soaker hose so that you need less water, have fewer weeds, and the water does not evaporate so quickly.

Turn your water sprinkler system off if you don't need it. For example, if it is cool or raining you don't need as much water.

Only water twice a week and have your sprinkler rotate through three times in short bursts instead of long watering cycles.

Only water your lawn before 10:00 am or after 9 pm to avoid evaporation.