HBD: Save Some Moolah, Save the Planet
June 02 2010
Reading your electric bill can really bring your day to a screeching halt. WTF? Is the cat watching VH1 Classics all night again? No, sweetie, it’s you. Electricity is costly. Not just for your checkbook but for the environment, too.
Most electricity is generated from power plants that use dirty fossil fuels like coal and waste up to 18 gallons of fresh water for every kilowatt. This process produces tons of carbon dioxide, which gets trapped in our atmosphere and contributes to climate change.
And we over-pay for this?
For the health of our planet and the bottom line of your bank account, it’s clearly worth cutting back on electricity. Here’s what you can do right now:
Flip the Switch
Simply turning off lights when you are not using them saves way more electricity than you think. Try the 15 Second Rule: If your sister calls while you’re plucking your eyebrows to tell you how great “Letters to Juliette” was, you probably know you’re going to be out of the bathroom for more than 15 seconds. Turn the light off! You can also save by dimming your inner Diva and not using ALL the lights in a room. If you’re reading at one end, skip the extra lights at the other end. Also, putting bulbs on a timer or sensor is a good way to make sure that exterior lights only get used when needed.
Unplug It
If you really look around, you probably have a whole mess of things plugged in you’re not using, but they are still sucking more energy out of your home than a visit from the mother-in-law. Examples: anything with a clock or a standby power light (like a coffee maker or an iHome), something with a remote control (the TV or DVD) or any kind of charger (think cell phone). While these actions seem like no biggie, the money saved could add up to a new pair of Green Bees Riding Boots, so pull the plug and start saving.
Surge Strips
Very cool, these all-in-onesies help you power down with the flip of a single switch. Use them in areas where you have a lot of electronics, like your computer, printer and scanner, all of which can be unplugged when not being used. Plug ‘em into the surge strip and kill ‘em all with one pointy finger. Hot.
Let’s face it, using less might take a little more effort than just turning off the flat iron but clearly, its worth the kilowatts. Use your pretty little head. Read more about saving the environment—and your bank account on HBD’s EcoChic page.
And to save some serious green, score online coupons at Savings.com. Given that all those printed coupons waste paper since most are never redeemed, online coupons are an e-ticket to saving money—and the planet.
Do you care about what you’re putting into your mouth and on your body? Would you prefer thighs that don’t touch? Are you a sucker for the environment? Get your daily snack for social change, and take a stand for what you believe in, damnit. From the co-author of New York Times Bestseller, Skinny Bitch, Healthy Bitch Daily is your online lifestyle resource that keeps it real, with fun topics on nutrition, health, fitness, beauty, style and staying eco-chic. Find something new to talk about at the dinner table.
