Go Green--Save Money

Not only will you be helping our environment by going green, you will also save money. In these times saving money is especially important.

Ways to go Green and Save Money
You may invest in a solar hot water system instead of using an electrical hot water heater. The solar hot water system does not waste electricity. Solar energy is what heats the solar hot water heater.

If you are not able to invest in a solar hot water system, the next best thing you can do is to buy an electrical water heater that is energy efficient to save money. This is very important as the water heating bill is the second highest costing energy bill. The water heating bill falls into second place after the air condition and heat bill.

Look for Rebates to Save Money
When you need to purchase a hot water heater, furnace, refrigerator, etc., be sure to look for sales and rebates to save money. Rebates will come from the electric company as well as (possibly) the manufacturer. The electric company encourages consumers to buy energy efficient products.

Transportation and How-To Save Money
You can save money by walking, riding your bike, using a Moped or motorcycle if possible, or a vehicle such as a Hybrid. These methods are very wise to use when you only have to travel a short distance. The motorcycle and Hybrid are great for short or long distance travel. Both will save you an incredible amount of money when gas prices are so erratic.

City Water and Saving Money
To save money on your quarterly water bill, be conscientious of how you are using water. You do not have to flush the toilet every time you use the bathroom if it is not a bowel movement. Teach your children this as well.

Some people wash their dishes by letting the water run as they wash with no stopper in the sink. This wastes an unbelievable amount of water. Instead, fill-up your sink with soap and water. Rinse. You can even save some money by taking a dish pan and filling it with hot water. While washing dishes, rinse in the dish pan and let dry.

Invest in a washing machine that recycles the water. The machines may cost a little more when purchasing but will save you an astonishing amount of money in the long run. If you have a large family, this washing machine is for you.

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Save Money on Children's School Lunches

If your children are in school, you can save money by packing cold lunch versus the school hot lunch. Each week buy the (lunch) food at the grocery store that is on sale. To keep your child or children healthy, buy on sale fruit, vegetables, bread, meat, peanut butter and jelly, ingredients for homemade treats and juice boxes.

Your child or children can purchase the school milk or make sure he or she has a drinking container that can be filled with your milk at home. Give your child a treat once in awhile with juice boxes or use juice from home that is less expensive and pour into drinking container.

Buy bread that is on sale and store it in your freezer. For meat you can use left over turkey and chicken for sandwiches. If your child or children like lettuce and tomato, add them to the sandwich. Purchase the lettuce and tomato when they are on sale or not too expensive.

Fruit may be different each week due to sales. You can even buy canned fruit on sale and use coupons whenever possible for all items, so when fresh fruit becomes too expensive, you have a back up plan.

Great vegetables for your child or children’s lunch are carrots cut julienne style, baby carrots, cut up celery or celery with peanut butter and raisins for “ants on a log”, cut up red or green peppers, fresh broccoli and cauliflower. Add some Ranch salad dressing in a small container for extra fun dipping and flavor.

Bake homemade oatmeal and raisin or peanut butter cookies, muffins and other healthy treats to pack in the school lunch. Plus, you will have a snack already made for when your children return from school.

Be sure to add an ice packet to keep food cold as most schools do not have a refrigerator for children to put their lunches in.

Add a joke of the day or special note to let your child or children know you love them for something extra special in their lunch.

If your school lunches are $2.00 each and you have three children that is $30.00 per week and $120.00+ a month you are spending on hot lunch.

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De-Stress in Tough Economic Times

Most people are pinching pennies at this time. When pinching pennies the first thing to go is your entertainment spending. You and your family still need to get together and have some fun.

Think like the olden days. You and your family can have fun turning off the television and spending time together. Take turns reading a spooky story to each other. Or create a story together. One person can start; the next person continues the story and so on. Play board games together. Make thoughtful cards together for family, friends, soldiers and a nursing home. All of these fun things will bring you as a family closer together.

When meeting your friends why not do a round robin? One person has the drinks at their house, the next person has the hors d' oeuvres, the third person has the main meal, and the last person has the dessert.

If you and your friends live too far away to drive to each other’s homes, you could invite your friends over for dinner and a movie or games. If you plan on watching a movie together, you can try to plan your meal around the movie’s theme. Example: The movie Scarface with Al Pacino. Make a hearty Italian meal with salad, lasagna, garlic bread, wine and a surprise Italian dessert. You can cook the main part of the dinner and everyone else can bring the rest of the food. One person brings a snack, two or three people bring the side dishes and the last person brings dessert.

If you are not planning on watching a movie together, after dinner you can all play Wii games if you have the Wii system. What fun to go bowling, play tennis, lawn darts, go golfing, play trivia, etc. You all will have so much fun laughing and getting exercise at the same time. Also, the Wii even has a game called Scarface and if you have it, you can all try your hand at it.

It is important to still have fun with family and friends even if you have barely any money to spend. Life is not all about work and worrying about money to pay your bills. Everyone needs to laugh and have a good time to stay healthy.

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