Conserve water...and save!

Of all of our natural resources, none is more precious than water. We can't live without it. And while the media continually draws the public's attention to the rising cost and consumption of oil and gas, very little attention is given to what will become the most serious resource issue in the next century--the international water shortage.

Flushing our toilets alone accounts for a staggering 40% of our water usage, with the bathroom being where we use a whopping 75% of our water inside the home. With a little thought and effort, though, we can save money and be "green" at the same time. Use my favorite tips below to save cash and conserve our most precious resource:

Bathroom

• Check for toilet tank leaks by adding food coloring to the tank. If the toilet is leaking, color will appear in the bowl within 30 minutes. Most replacement parts are inexpensive, easily installed, and you can save more than 600 gallons a month.


• Place a plastic bottle weighted with pebbles and water in the toilet tank as a water displacement device.


• Install a low-flow showerhead to save 2 gallons of water per minute. They're inexpensive, easy to install, and can save your family more than 500 gallons a week.

Kitchen

• Install a low-flow faucet aerator, which can cut water use in half or 1 to 2 gallons per minute.


• Don't rinse dishes before loading dishwasher to save 20 gallons of water per load.


• Store drinking water in the refrigerator rather than letting the tap run every time you want a cool glass of water.


• Do not use running water to thaw meat or other frozen foods. Defrost food overnight in the refrigerator or by using the defrost setting on your microwave.

Around the house

Many homes have hidden water leaks. Read your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter does not read exactly the same, there is a leak.

Never put water down the drain when there may be another use for it such as watering a plant or garden, or cleaning

Insulate your water pipes. You'll get hot water faster plus avoid wasting water while it heats up.

When adjusting water temperatures, instead of turning water flow up, try turning it down. If the water is too hot or cold, turn the offender down rather than increasing water flow to balance the temperatures.

Repair dripping faucets by replacing washers. If your faucet is dripping at the rate of one drop per second, you can expect to waste 2,700 gallons per year.

Wash clothes only when you have a full load and save up to 600 gallons each month.

Outside

• Fertilizers increase the need for water. Apply fertilizers, which contain slow-release, water-insoluble forms of nitrogen.


• Mulch to retain moisture in the soil. Mulching also helps to control weeds that compete with pants for water.


• Plant native grasses, ground covers, shrubs and trees. Once established, they do not need to be watered as frequently and will survive a dry period without any watering. Group plants together based on similar water needs.


• Use a broom to clean leaves and other debris from these areas. Using a hose to clean a driveway can waste hundreds of gallons of water.


• Do not leave sprinklers or hoses unattended, which can pour out 600 gallons or more in only a few hours.


• Consider using a commercial car wash that recycles water. If you do wash your own car, park it on the grass to soak up any run-off.

How do you conserve water?

Food for thought...save at the grocery store

Maybe it's the economy or maybe it's my mindset for getting out of debt, but lately my writing has taken a turn toward money-saving ideas. Regardless of the reason, I'm enjoying the ride--and the learning. Some of the great tips that I've learned recently involve grocery shopping. My favorites are:

• Bring cash--Leave your checkbook, debit, and credit cards home, so you don't overspend. Bring $10 extra to stock up on extra-special deals.
• Shop quickly--Every minute over a half-hour spent in the store costs you 50 cents per minute.
• Investigate all food sources--Include grocery stores, warehouse clubs, salvage stores, food co-ops, farmer's markets, department stores, even your gas station. never assume one source has the lowest price on every item.
• Know where to look--Look high and low on the shelves for the best prices. check behind fronted shelf items for larger bonus sizes, and shop the perimeter of the store for basic, most-needed grocery items.
• And stock up--Buy pasta, canned foods and boxed goods on sale. They are items used regularly that have a long shelf life. Als0, look on the front and back covers of the sale fliers for sales that the store takes a loss on, literally and build your grocery list and menus around these items for the greatest savings potential.

What are some of your best grocery shopping, money saving tips?