5 Random Tips – Loose Change in the Couch Edition

curb appeal No, I’m not going to tell you to go dig around in your couch for spare change. But I am going to suggest you make small changes to 5 things you’re already doing. The point is, you can be more efficient and save resources in your everyday life and spend less doing so.

Dust light bulbs occasionally (with the power off) to increase light levels. You’re already paying for the electricity powering the lightbulb so get all of the light you can out of it. You may find that you only need to have one light turned on, rather than two. Turn this into a habit and you can maintain a nice, bright light level in your home.

Don’t purchase products with excessive or unnecessary packaging. If you pay for trash removal, this will absolutely affect your wallet. The more packaging you bring home, the more trash you create. This can also increase the cost of shipping and handling, if you made your purchase online or from a catalog. Amazon.com’s CEO Jeff Bezos announced their initiative to create frustration free packaging with the goal of creating smaller, easier-to-open packaging made from recyclable materials. Amazon’s selection is currently limited to a few brands. But this is something that will surely take off in the future.

Use rechargeable batteries instead of conventional batteries. It’s cheaper to refill a battery with power from your outlet than it is to go buy a new battery. These days rechargeable batteries are more powerful and can charge much quicker than their predecessors. Invest in a good charger and enough batteries to power the devices you want, plus a few extras for switching out when a pair are used up. If you don’t know where to start, try here. We own several sets of Duracell rechargeable batteries and have been completely happy with them. We use them in everything from wireless computer mice, to remote controls and even the external flash for our digital camera. One note though, if you’re using electronics, especially photo gear like a flash which require a lot of power, you may want to purchase the more powerful 2650mAh batteries.

Invest in a rain barrel and use collected rain water to water plants and wash cars. You already have the rain water soaking your roof and running down your gutters so all you have to do is collect it! This is a green, sustainable solution ready for anyone who wants to make the investment in a rain barrel. You can find a variety of styles, shapes and colors, but whatever your choice, you’ll be saving water and in the process saving money. In my neck of the woods we’ve been in a severe drought for the past few years. That means limits on watering your garden, your lawn and don’t even think about washing your car. I have several friends who use rain barrels for this exact purpose and it works like a charm. Once we buy a house in the next few years, you can bet that we’ll have at least one rain barrel as well.

Turn off the faucet when you shave, brush your teeth, wash dishes or even while soaping up in the shower. Remember if you’re not only paying for water coming into your home, you’re also paying for the sewer costs for it to leave your home. Besides the environmental impact, a running tap can increase your water usage very quickly. The average bath can use 30-50 gallons of water, while a 5 minute shower with a low-flow shower head can use less than 15 gallons. If you really want to push yourself try a Navy Shower.

Ok now go dig through your couch! Every penny counts!

photo credit: numberstumper