Would You Live the Simple Life?
A couple who owns just 100 things got me thinking about my consumption
Ysolt Usigan ON Aug 19, 2010 at 5:39PM
http://www.ivillage.com/would-you-live-simple-life/5-a-258963
Last week, I read an article in the New York Times about a couple who gave up luxuries -- two cars, wedding china to serve two dozen people, a two-bedroom apartment -- and started to live the ultimate simple life. Inspired by blogs and web sites, Tammy Strobel and Logan Smith streamlined their belongings to a -- gasp! -- 100 items. They donated books, sweaters, shoes, pots and pans, even a TV to charity, and soon enough accomplished their goal. It has been three years and the Portland, OR couple now live in a 400-square-foot studio with a nice-sized kitchen, have traded in their cars for bikes, and are debt-free (they owed about $30,000 when they began to make these changes).
Because of their simple lifestyle choices, Strobel and Logan have money to travel, can contribute to their nieces and nephews' education funds and work fewer hours. Strobel has since realized that one doesn't need to live "bigger" to be happy.
So what's the moral of the story? That you don't need stuff to make you happy?? Hmmm... This got me thinking... Can I ever live the simple life -- as in, own only 100 things? I have 100 pairs of shoes alone! And for that matter, can living "simple" make me happy?
I turned to an expert for clarity. "I do believe happiness is more fundamentally about relationships than stuff," says Wanda Urbanska, simple living expert and author of Simple Living with Wanda Urbanska. "Face it, we all gravitate toward favorite outfits and things, so simplifying for a fashion maven is about zeroing in on those favorite things and letting go of the excess."
My take: I do believe that you are not what you buy, and you certainly are not what you wear. In fact, I'd much rather spend my hard-earned money on an experience (a fun vacation, a delectable meal or a soothing spa treatment). An amazing experience will definitely make me more happy than buying stuff -- stuff that I'll use now and forget about, stuff that I probably didn't need at all, stuff that came out of an impulse purchase.
But, wait a minute... For me, shopping for my fall wardrobe is an experience in itself. The act of buying a crisp new trench coat or a chic yet comfortable pair of boots feels pretty awesome. It's like I'm celebrating my favorite season and getting ready for the experiences to come, which just happens to include wearing that crisp new trench coat and cute pair of boots. There can be a rewarding sense of self when one buys stuff. The idea that I can express myself through what I wear, for instance, helps my self-esteem, too.
Give me life, give me stuff!
I understand the idea of living "simple," but I don't think I'm quite down with living deprived. I guess the moral of the story -- for me, anyways -- is to (simply) spend wisely.
MY THOUGHTS
I agree. Living simply does not mean 'living deprived'. If you cut down on your lifestyle and you feel miserable then you are not living simply. Your pretending to be. Which is alright, I guess. we're bound to feel some discomfort when we make changes. Just remember, the reward comes after. Never before.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
PRODUCTS THAT EXTEND THE LIFE OF FRESH GROCERIES
Products That Extend the Life of Your Fresh Groceries
http://www.ivillage.com
Don’t let your grocery budget rot away in the fridge -- try these handy food-savers (8 Photos)
Herbs On Demand
Fresh herbs are expensive. Whether you grow your own or buy them in bundles at the market, keep them fresher longer -- in the freezer. With the Fresh Mill, you can freeze fresh herbs and sprinkle them directly onto dishes. The palm-sized device provides all the convenience of dried herbs with a just-picked, fresh flavor.
$18.40 on Amazon
Flavor In, Vampires Out
Keeping garlic in a ventilated container helps it last longer. The Garlic Saver, shaped to look like a real head of garlic, is easily identifiable and keeps the head of garlic together, even if you use just a clove at a time.
$7.99 for 2 at Gourmac
Better Produce Bags
Right now, how many plastic bags in your refrigerator contain wilted produce? Next time, try Debbie Meyer Green Bags, which claim to absorb the natural gas produced by certain varieties of fruits and vegetables that cause rapid deterioration.
$9.95 for 10 large and 10 medium bags at DEBBIE MEYER Green Bags
Air Is The Enemy
The tiny Frisper saves space and claims to keep food fresher five times longer, which means you won’t be emptying the fridge into the garbage. There is economic savings, too: the bags can be resealed up to 10 times, and a one-year warranty protects your minimal investment.
$89.99 for FF-600 Starter Kit at Oliso
Fresher Fridge
Toss a Fridge Ball into the veggie drawer and keep produce fresh up to three weeks longer than without the sphere. The balls claims to use potassium to absorb gasses released by fruit and vegetables that cause spoiling.
$7.95 for 3 Fridge Balls and 3 Fridge Packs at As Seen On TV Guys
Avocado’s Other Half
If you like a little bit of avocado in your sandwiches or on a salad, but can’t eat one all at once, the Avo Saver is for you. It fits snugly around the unused half to keep the flesh from turning brown, making these expensive fruits last longer.
$5.99 at Amazon
Fresh Finds
Using the same gas zapping technology as many of the food savers on the market, the Always Fresh Containers claim to help prolong the life of your favorite fresh foods, and they are microwave and dishwasher safe for easy cleaning and storage.
$19.99 for a ten-piece set at Always Fresh Containers
MY THOUGHTS
so, which one are you planning on buying? just make sure you need what you'll be paying for. i mean, why would you get Avo Saver? looks cute, though.
http://www.ivillage.com
Don’t let your grocery budget rot away in the fridge -- try these handy food-savers (8 Photos)
Herbs On Demand
Fresh herbs are expensive. Whether you grow your own or buy them in bundles at the market, keep them fresher longer -- in the freezer. With the Fresh Mill, you can freeze fresh herbs and sprinkle them directly onto dishes. The palm-sized device provides all the convenience of dried herbs with a just-picked, fresh flavor.
$18.40 on Amazon
Flavor In, Vampires Out
Keeping garlic in a ventilated container helps it last longer. The Garlic Saver, shaped to look like a real head of garlic, is easily identifiable and keeps the head of garlic together, even if you use just a clove at a time.
$7.99 for 2 at Gourmac
Better Produce Bags
Right now, how many plastic bags in your refrigerator contain wilted produce? Next time, try Debbie Meyer Green Bags, which claim to absorb the natural gas produced by certain varieties of fruits and vegetables that cause rapid deterioration.
$9.95 for 10 large and 10 medium bags at DEBBIE MEYER Green Bags
Air Is The Enemy
The tiny Frisper saves space and claims to keep food fresher five times longer, which means you won’t be emptying the fridge into the garbage. There is economic savings, too: the bags can be resealed up to 10 times, and a one-year warranty protects your minimal investment.
$89.99 for FF-600 Starter Kit at Oliso
Fresher Fridge
Toss a Fridge Ball into the veggie drawer and keep produce fresh up to three weeks longer than without the sphere. The balls claims to use potassium to absorb gasses released by fruit and vegetables that cause spoiling.
$7.95 for 3 Fridge Balls and 3 Fridge Packs at As Seen On TV Guys
Avocado’s Other Half
If you like a little bit of avocado in your sandwiches or on a salad, but can’t eat one all at once, the Avo Saver is for you. It fits snugly around the unused half to keep the flesh from turning brown, making these expensive fruits last longer.
$5.99 at Amazon
Fresh Finds
Using the same gas zapping technology as many of the food savers on the market, the Always Fresh Containers claim to help prolong the life of your favorite fresh foods, and they are microwave and dishwasher safe for easy cleaning and storage.
$19.99 for a ten-piece set at Always Fresh Containers
MY THOUGHTS
so, which one are you planning on buying? just make sure you need what you'll be paying for. i mean, why would you get Avo Saver? looks cute, though.
Friday, February 18, 2011
How To Be Smart When Grocery Shopping
BE A SMART GROCERY SHOPPER
from the article "Frugal Grocery Shopping For the Smart Shopper"
http://www.frugal-living-tips.com/frugal-grocery.html
Remember how you need to start with a Grocery Shopping List? Now, it's time to do the actual shopping...
How to be a smart frugal grocery shopper
Many people don’t realise this, but supermarkets spend thousands of pounds every year on cunning little marketing ploys to make you spend more money than you intended.
They employ teams of people to analyse shop layout and consumer shopping habits to make sure that they place their items in their store just in the right place to tempt you.
However if you know and are aware of these ploys then you are more likely to recognise them and not fall headlong into them. Common tricks are:
* Moving Isles -Moving items to different places in the store, so that you have to go hunting down isles that you would not normally venture into and so exposing you to more of their products. Keep your head down and only focus on the items you came into buy.
* The long walk - Commonly purchased items such as milk, bread and eggs are normally placed along the edges of a store, often at the back of the store.
Again forcing you to walk past lots of tempting goodies. If all you want to buy is a loaf of bread then keep to the edge of the store and avoid walking through centre isles.
* Check those lower shelves - Shops will often put their most expensive items or their own brand on the shelves at eye level. This is because a lot of shoppers just take the first item they see on the shelves. Lets use baked beans as an example, you will often find the leading brand name right in the middle of the shelf, it’s a brand you know and hey, you need some beans, so why not.
But check out the lower or upper shelves first. If you are on a frugal grocery mission, here is where you will find beans at a much cheaper price or that have special offers on them. The difference in price can be far greater than the slight taste difference in the product; brand name is not always the best.
* Advertising – Beware of advertising hype. Shops and brands will bombard you with advertisements promising you all sorts of enticements, i.e. we are the best, this will make you stronger, and this will make your hair shinier. Be aware that this is advertising and their main aim is to get you to buy their product instead of someone else’s.
Don’t be fooled by this hype, many products are even made by the same manufacturer and sold as different brands. Remember buy what you need and not what the advertisers tell you that you need.
MY THOUGHTS
i had almost 4 years of hypermarket experience and we never looked at it that way - i mean designing store layout to trick customers into buying. store layout is about product visibility and shopping convenience. anyway, grocery trips should be well-planned. When you're in a rush, you tend to just grab the first thing that you see. If you want to save, you want to be able to compare prices. I've seen shoppers with calculators while shopping. Not a bad idea.
from the article "Frugal Grocery Shopping For the Smart Shopper"
http://www.frugal-living-tips.com/frugal-grocery.html
Remember how you need to start with a Grocery Shopping List? Now, it's time to do the actual shopping...
How to be a smart frugal grocery shopper
Many people don’t realise this, but supermarkets spend thousands of pounds every year on cunning little marketing ploys to make you spend more money than you intended.
They employ teams of people to analyse shop layout and consumer shopping habits to make sure that they place their items in their store just in the right place to tempt you.
However if you know and are aware of these ploys then you are more likely to recognise them and not fall headlong into them. Common tricks are:
* Moving Isles -Moving items to different places in the store, so that you have to go hunting down isles that you would not normally venture into and so exposing you to more of their products. Keep your head down and only focus on the items you came into buy.
* The long walk - Commonly purchased items such as milk, bread and eggs are normally placed along the edges of a store, often at the back of the store.
Again forcing you to walk past lots of tempting goodies. If all you want to buy is a loaf of bread then keep to the edge of the store and avoid walking through centre isles.
* Check those lower shelves - Shops will often put their most expensive items or their own brand on the shelves at eye level. This is because a lot of shoppers just take the first item they see on the shelves. Lets use baked beans as an example, you will often find the leading brand name right in the middle of the shelf, it’s a brand you know and hey, you need some beans, so why not.
But check out the lower or upper shelves first. If you are on a frugal grocery mission, here is where you will find beans at a much cheaper price or that have special offers on them. The difference in price can be far greater than the slight taste difference in the product; brand name is not always the best.
* Advertising – Beware of advertising hype. Shops and brands will bombard you with advertisements promising you all sorts of enticements, i.e. we are the best, this will make you stronger, and this will make your hair shinier. Be aware that this is advertising and their main aim is to get you to buy their product instead of someone else’s.
Don’t be fooled by this hype, many products are even made by the same manufacturer and sold as different brands. Remember buy what you need and not what the advertisers tell you that you need.
MY THOUGHTS
i had almost 4 years of hypermarket experience and we never looked at it that way - i mean designing store layout to trick customers into buying. store layout is about product visibility and shopping convenience. anyway, grocery trips should be well-planned. When you're in a rush, you tend to just grab the first thing that you see. If you want to save, you want to be able to compare prices. I've seen shoppers with calculators while shopping. Not a bad idea.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
THE VALUE OF A GROCERY LIST
HOW TO SAVE MONEY WITH A GROCERY LIST
from the article "Frugal Grocery Shopping For the Smart Shopper"
Frugal grocery shopping lists
Making out a list before you go shopping will not only save you time, but it will also help to keep you focused and not get side tracked by tempting offers. However this will only work if you keep strictly to your list and not go shelf browsing.
Tips for writing out your frugal grocery shopping List:
* Decide in advance your next week’s meals and note down the ingredients required.
* Check your cupboards to see what ingredients you do not have or need to re-stock.
* Check your staple items such as bread, milk, cleaning products and personal care items.
* Once you have made your list keep it available for next week, it will come in very handy as reminder of items that you regularly need. I sometimes forget to buy some the basic items if I don’t have a list, I suppose it’s because they are a bit boring I guess.
MY THOUGHTS
i never prepare a grocery list. i like browsing the grocery shelves. naturally, i always overspend. worse, i waste a lot of the things that i bought since overspending usually means over stocking.
but before you prepare your grocery list, you should start with a meal plan for the week? how will you know what to buy if you don't have meals planned?
from the article "Frugal Grocery Shopping For the Smart Shopper"
Frugal grocery shopping lists
Making out a list before you go shopping will not only save you time, but it will also help to keep you focused and not get side tracked by tempting offers. However this will only work if you keep strictly to your list and not go shelf browsing.
Tips for writing out your frugal grocery shopping List:
* Decide in advance your next week’s meals and note down the ingredients required.
* Check your cupboards to see what ingredients you do not have or need to re-stock.
* Check your staple items such as bread, milk, cleaning products and personal care items.
* Once you have made your list keep it available for next week, it will come in very handy as reminder of items that you regularly need. I sometimes forget to buy some the basic items if I don’t have a list, I suppose it’s because they are a bit boring I guess.
MY THOUGHTS
i never prepare a grocery list. i like browsing the grocery shelves. naturally, i always overspend. worse, i waste a lot of the things that i bought since overspending usually means over stocking.
but before you prepare your grocery list, you should start with a meal plan for the week? how will you know what to buy if you don't have meals planned?
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
SIMPLE , STEADY AND IN MOTION
Stay simple, stay steady, stay in motion
HEALTH & WELL-BEING
Selena DeLeon Certified Personal Trainer
Thursday, January 13, 2011
The advent of a new year brings for me a need to clear out old things, simplify life and get clean. As I am clearing out the old junk in my house, it occurs to me that simplicity is the pathway to clarity. The pounds that are stored as excess are nothing but that - excess. We look at our bodies and feel bad about ourselves because we associate the extra pounds with our failures, our weaknesses and defeat. Excess calories that have been stored for future use are stored as fat. The more meaning that we put to things is the more complicated the world becomes.
Simplify To Clarify
If you have stored calories that you need to expend, then the best way to "trash" them is to turn them into energy. Think about your body like your house; converting calories into energy through your choice of movement regularly will decrease the amount in storage, and throw all the unnecessary clutter away forever. But as we all know, your house is never totally clean. You have to constantly clean your house to keep it clean. The minute you stop, it starts to get cluttered and dirty again.
Simplify your diet and get your body clean. You know that if you eat pork sausages you will have to hold on to them for a long time before your body can empty them, and your house will be a mess for that much longer. We have to stay on top of our diet as if it were our house in order to avoid the build-up of calories. Be selective about 'junk' that you put into your house, and honour it as your temple.
Clean Up Your Diet
Every week create a single goal for your diet. This week I am eliminating nuts from my diet. Next week, no chocolate, and so on. Each week you can clean up your diet, one food item at a time. For some people embarking on a new lifestyle can be daunting, and taking baby steps can also work as an approach to a new commitment.
Simpler cooking methods like steaming or grilling with fewer additives are the best ways to a healthy diet. Fresh, simple herbs like rosemary and garlic are great to flavour a meal. Simple foods such as potatoes rank much higher on the energy return scale than rice or bread.
Simplify Digestion
The simpler the food, the less energy your body expends to break it down. Have you ever noticed that after eating a heavy meal you feel tired? It is because your body is using up all of your energy to digest the food. The energy that you save on digesting your food is energy that can be used instead to burn up excess calories. The 'Fit for Life' diet created by Harvey and Marilyn Diamond is still one of my favourite diets to recommend to people who are trying to lose weight. Their method of combining certain foods to simplify digestion makes sense.
Food Is Fuel
Some persons respond better to a set menu, because that simplifies their food choices. Food is fuel; it is scientific. Energy that goes in is either energy spent or energy in the bank. If you take choices away, then you are not subject to emotional pitfalls. You remove bad food from your kitchen and you are no longer a victim of temptation; shorten your supermarket list, save time on preparing foods... in short, simplify.
Clarify Your Exercise
Clean and solid would be two good buzz words to describe how you could interpret your exercise schedule. Make a commitment to exercising on set days and at set times, and stick to it. You may encounter yourself as lethargic or overtired on those days, but if you give yourself permission to quit, it breaks the momentum.
It is a myth that the more you do exercise, the easier it gets. Exercising never gets easier, but your mind and your body do become accustomed to it. Stopping and starting interrupts this cycle, so don't get sucked into the pitfall of letting your excuses get in the way. Putting your body in motion stimulates connections within your body and your mind, and this is happening whether you are running at your fullest potential or at 40 per cent of it, so what is important is that the process continues. Even if you have pain, there is always the minimum that you can do so that your mind is registering that it is being turned on to exercise.
Simplify your ideals towards your performance. A simpler approach to exercise can free you from the pressure of performing. In most workouts it is necessary to perform and challenge, but not every time. A healthy balance to a 'fit lifestyle' can only exist if you know how to give to your body and take from it. Slow down the workout if you are feeling slow one day, make a regular breathing pattern your only goal, and visualise what you want to get out of exercising in that moment.
Getting clear on your relationship with your body can free you from frustration and guilt. The key to this clarity is to simplify a style of living that can sometimes become complicated and messy. Throw away old ideas about your body; those battles have not served you in the past and are now gone. Wherever you feel confronted by your energy or your health, take it down to its core, take a deep breath and know that it is all pure, simple and good.
MY THOUGHTS
there's really nothing new in this article, is there? and it's quite clear what the author is suggesting. it's not about diets. it's about lifestyle - a simple lifesttyle that is committed to being fit for life.
sometimes i don't feel like reading these articles (on weight management)anymore. but if i don't, then i won't be remindedof how important it is. so,i keep on looking for these articles as a way of "nagging" myself. i have so many pounds and inches to lose. and it's not just about vanity.
you might want to check on these sites:
http://www.thedietchannel.com/Fit-for-life-diet.htm
http://www.fitforlife.com/diets.html
http://www.diet.com/g/fit-for-life-diet
http://www.healthreserve.com/dieting/fit_for_life_diet.htm
HEALTH & WELL-BEING
Selena DeLeon Certified Personal Trainer
Thursday, January 13, 2011
The advent of a new year brings for me a need to clear out old things, simplify life and get clean. As I am clearing out the old junk in my house, it occurs to me that simplicity is the pathway to clarity. The pounds that are stored as excess are nothing but that - excess. We look at our bodies and feel bad about ourselves because we associate the extra pounds with our failures, our weaknesses and defeat. Excess calories that have been stored for future use are stored as fat. The more meaning that we put to things is the more complicated the world becomes.
Simplify To Clarify
If you have stored calories that you need to expend, then the best way to "trash" them is to turn them into energy. Think about your body like your house; converting calories into energy through your choice of movement regularly will decrease the amount in storage, and throw all the unnecessary clutter away forever. But as we all know, your house is never totally clean. You have to constantly clean your house to keep it clean. The minute you stop, it starts to get cluttered and dirty again.
Simplify your diet and get your body clean. You know that if you eat pork sausages you will have to hold on to them for a long time before your body can empty them, and your house will be a mess for that much longer. We have to stay on top of our diet as if it were our house in order to avoid the build-up of calories. Be selective about 'junk' that you put into your house, and honour it as your temple.
Clean Up Your Diet
Every week create a single goal for your diet. This week I am eliminating nuts from my diet. Next week, no chocolate, and so on. Each week you can clean up your diet, one food item at a time. For some people embarking on a new lifestyle can be daunting, and taking baby steps can also work as an approach to a new commitment.
Simpler cooking methods like steaming or grilling with fewer additives are the best ways to a healthy diet. Fresh, simple herbs like rosemary and garlic are great to flavour a meal. Simple foods such as potatoes rank much higher on the energy return scale than rice or bread.
Simplify Digestion
The simpler the food, the less energy your body expends to break it down. Have you ever noticed that after eating a heavy meal you feel tired? It is because your body is using up all of your energy to digest the food. The energy that you save on digesting your food is energy that can be used instead to burn up excess calories. The 'Fit for Life' diet created by Harvey and Marilyn Diamond is still one of my favourite diets to recommend to people who are trying to lose weight. Their method of combining certain foods to simplify digestion makes sense.
Food Is Fuel
Some persons respond better to a set menu, because that simplifies their food choices. Food is fuel; it is scientific. Energy that goes in is either energy spent or energy in the bank. If you take choices away, then you are not subject to emotional pitfalls. You remove bad food from your kitchen and you are no longer a victim of temptation; shorten your supermarket list, save time on preparing foods... in short, simplify.
Clarify Your Exercise
Clean and solid would be two good buzz words to describe how you could interpret your exercise schedule. Make a commitment to exercising on set days and at set times, and stick to it. You may encounter yourself as lethargic or overtired on those days, but if you give yourself permission to quit, it breaks the momentum.
It is a myth that the more you do exercise, the easier it gets. Exercising never gets easier, but your mind and your body do become accustomed to it. Stopping and starting interrupts this cycle, so don't get sucked into the pitfall of letting your excuses get in the way. Putting your body in motion stimulates connections within your body and your mind, and this is happening whether you are running at your fullest potential or at 40 per cent of it, so what is important is that the process continues. Even if you have pain, there is always the minimum that you can do so that your mind is registering that it is being turned on to exercise.
Simplify your ideals towards your performance. A simpler approach to exercise can free you from the pressure of performing. In most workouts it is necessary to perform and challenge, but not every time. A healthy balance to a 'fit lifestyle' can only exist if you know how to give to your body and take from it. Slow down the workout if you are feeling slow one day, make a regular breathing pattern your only goal, and visualise what you want to get out of exercising in that moment.
Getting clear on your relationship with your body can free you from frustration and guilt. The key to this clarity is to simplify a style of living that can sometimes become complicated and messy. Throw away old ideas about your body; those battles have not served you in the past and are now gone. Wherever you feel confronted by your energy or your health, take it down to its core, take a deep breath and know that it is all pure, simple and good.
MY THOUGHTS
there's really nothing new in this article, is there? and it's quite clear what the author is suggesting. it's not about diets. it's about lifestyle - a simple lifesttyle that is committed to being fit for life.
sometimes i don't feel like reading these articles (on weight management)anymore. but if i don't, then i won't be remindedof how important it is. so,i keep on looking for these articles as a way of "nagging" myself. i have so many pounds and inches to lose. and it's not just about vanity.
you might want to check on these sites:
http://www.thedietchannel.com/Fit-for-life-diet.htm
http://www.fitforlife.com/diets.html
http://www.diet.com/g/fit-for-life-diet
http://www.healthreserve.com/dieting/fit_for_life_diet.htm
Monday, February 14, 2011
SAVING ON ELECTRICITY
SAVING ON ELECTRICITY
From the Article "Frugal Heating Tips And Energy Saving Ideas"
Electricity - These days everything seems to need to be plugged in, I personally try to stay away from unnecessary electrical equipment like digital clocks and fake flame effect fires. Here is some of the best frugal heating tips and other electrical reducing ideas I have come across and use every day in my own home.
* Only boil enough water in the kettle that is required.
* Use energy saving light bulbs wherever possible, they are even available as day light bulbs that I find a much brighter light.
* Turn off electrical equipment when not in use and do not leave them on their standby function.
* Turn lights off when the room is empty
* Clean behind refrigerators regularly to keep the cooling elements clear of dust. This makes them far more efficient.
Check out this great ebook about how you can save money on your fuel bills by generating your your own power, I believe the ebook also comes with a FREE book about biodegradable fule for your car too. Could be worth a look. Click Here!
MY THOUGHTS
what about charging in the car? while the car is in motion, of course. i don't know if it has any effect on the car batteries?
From the Article "Frugal Heating Tips And Energy Saving Ideas"
Electricity - These days everything seems to need to be plugged in, I personally try to stay away from unnecessary electrical equipment like digital clocks and fake flame effect fires. Here is some of the best frugal heating tips and other electrical reducing ideas I have come across and use every day in my own home.
* Only boil enough water in the kettle that is required.
* Use energy saving light bulbs wherever possible, they are even available as day light bulbs that I find a much brighter light.
* Turn off electrical equipment when not in use and do not leave them on their standby function.
* Turn lights off when the room is empty
* Clean behind refrigerators regularly to keep the cooling elements clear of dust. This makes them far more efficient.
Check out this great ebook about how you can save money on your fuel bills by generating your your own power, I believe the ebook also comes with a FREE book about biodegradable fule for your car too. Could be worth a look. Click Here!
MY THOUGHTS
what about charging in the car? while the car is in motion, of course. i don't know if it has any effect on the car batteries?
Friday, February 11, 2011
HOW TO REDUCE WATER CONSUMPTION
REDUCE WATER consumption
from Frugal Heating Tips And Energy Saving Ideas
www.frugal-living-tips.com
Water -
Many homes are now being fitted with water meters that may mean that if they do not reduce the way they use water they could be paying a lot more.
In deed the whole reason water meters are being fitted is to make people more aware of just how much water they are using and encourage them to change their ways and use water in a more frugal way.
A few ideas to reduce water usage are:
* Fix leaking taps as soon as possible
* Reduce the flush in your toilets by placing a plastic bottle filled with water or sand into the tank. It is also possible to buy toilets that come with the facility to use a short and long flush as required.
* Have showers instead of baths and reduce the length of time in the shower everyday.
* Turn water taps off when shaving or brushing teeth.
MY THOUGHTS
if you every had the misfortune of living in an area where water is gold (that has to be mined!), you would be more careful about your water consumption. i don't have a problem turning off water while brushing my teeth. but i waste a lot of water in the shower.i just love hot showers.
from Frugal Heating Tips And Energy Saving Ideas
www.frugal-living-tips.com
Water -
Many homes are now being fitted with water meters that may mean that if they do not reduce the way they use water they could be paying a lot more.
In deed the whole reason water meters are being fitted is to make people more aware of just how much water they are using and encourage them to change their ways and use water in a more frugal way.
A few ideas to reduce water usage are:
* Fix leaking taps as soon as possible
* Reduce the flush in your toilets by placing a plastic bottle filled with water or sand into the tank. It is also possible to buy toilets that come with the facility to use a short and long flush as required.
* Have showers instead of baths and reduce the length of time in the shower everyday.
* Turn water taps off when shaving or brushing teeth.
MY THOUGHTS
if you every had the misfortune of living in an area where water is gold (that has to be mined!), you would be more careful about your water consumption. i don't have a problem turning off water while brushing my teeth. but i waste a lot of water in the shower.i just love hot showers.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)