Green

I'm going green but I'm also looking for ways to be frugal and use less. How much better when I can help both my bank account and the world at the same time.

I tried to buy a free standing clothesline to save electric by using the dryer less. We do not have the right trees. The clotheslines are very hard to find. "Green" box stores in the area do not carry them. They barely have ropes and clothespins. Hardware stores have a few of what I needed. They are pretty expensive too. My local store was out of the bigger sizes and only had small ones, but was getting more in soon. They hadn't exactly had a run on them. They order in about 3 at a time.

I heard on the radio that appliances use 70% of their total electric when they are turned off. It's those little led lights and keeping the appliance ready for instant on that uses it. I am going to buy surge protectors and put all appliances on them. That way I can turn them off when not in use totally. If I have anything that needs instant on, I won't plug it into a surge protector bar. And I'm going to wait for surge protectors to go on sale to get them.

I'm buying those little solar lights that absorb sun during the day and light up the house at night for outdoor lighting, on sale of course. We have a few but more would be good. They have to be in direct sunlight during the day for several hours to work, no shady spots.

I have put small gardens in my back yard to grow my own fresh food in small amounts. It is somewhat expensive at first so it really isn't saving any money this year, even though I waited for price reductions and used coupons. One of the things I used in the garden beds was special moisture retaining soil. I need to go and get more. That way, the plants do well with less watering. I am also adding vegetable scraps (composting) instead of tossing them out, for organic matter.

Whenever we replace something, we buy energy saving models on sale.

Awnings are not pretty but, if utilities go up a lot, we will be looking at them. That and those roll down bamboo shades to shield the house in summer and block the wind in spots in the winter even. Bushes around the edge of the house provide protection for the foundation. Trees provide shade in summer and drop their leaves in winter so the sun hits the house to help warm it. Tall plants near the house will also shade it in the hot summer. I will probably buy heavy curtains eventually, a few at a time, to block out the heat in summer and the cold in winter. Thermopane windows are cost prohibitive at this time and even with them, the sun shines in the windows and heats up the house.

Weather caulking is on sale this week so I should go get some to make sure the windows and other areas are sealed well.