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The U.S. population nearly doubled between 1950 and 2000; however, the demand for water during that period more than tripled. Americans now use an average of 100 gallons of water every day, enough to fill 1,600 drinking glasses.¹

With increased demand comes increased prices, not to mention the threat to our water reserves and environment. The Chesapeake Bay Program estimates that only 4 of those 100 gallons are actually necessary.  Here are a few easy and effective ways to cut back on your water bills and protect this precious resource. …read more of Water Wise Around the House here

Saving energy saves money. And with Americans using a million dollars worth of energy every minute of every day of the year,¹ there are a lot ways to save money through simple, smart and more efficient choices. These decisions can also help cut down on the 40,000 pounds of CO2 that is emitted to create all this energy.

By following just a few of these tips, you can make a significant dent in your energy bill and help cut thousands of pounds of CO2 emissions. …read more of 5 Smart Steps to Home Savings: The Energy Efficient Way here

It was Mahatma Gandhi who said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” The issues we face may seem daunting and individual efforts may not appear to have much impact, however collectively each of us can play a significant role in the effort to conserve our resources.

Here are five actions you can take that will help to preserve and protect the planet and your budget.

Drive Less

• Transportation is the fastest growing source of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) and the largest end-use source of CO2.¹ (EPA) Walk, bike, carpool and use public transportation more often for heart-healthy, stress-reducing alternatives that preserve precious energy reserves and save money.

• A study by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) found that families who use public transportation reduce their household expenses by as much as $6,200 annually. That’s more than the average U.S. household spends on food every year!²

…read more of 5 Things That Save Money While Saving the Planet here

Summer’s afterglow is barely gone, but retailers are poised to unleash their steady onslaught of holiday catalogs. If you don’t want your mailbox to bulge with glossy catalogs and other annoying junk mail, read on.

1. Cut the catalogs you receive with Catalog Choice if catalogs are your bugaboo. More than a million people use this free online service which is a sponsored project of the Ecology Center. I’m a member and I find it quite easy to use. Also, their site now has a bunch of icatalogs you can peruse.

2. DIY if you have the time and like the feeling of accomplishment you’ll experience after making a round of calls to companies whose mailing lists you don’t want to be on anymore. …read more of Five Ways to Stop Junk Mail here

Thanks in large part to the current economic woes, Americans have started looking for ways to make our lives more efficient. At the same time, people are beginning to recognize the real impacts of waste, from light-switches to landfills, on the fragile health of our planet.

Luckily, living more efficiently is as eco-friendly as it is cost-effective. It’s also quite simple: all you have to do is pay attention to the way you use the resources around you every day.

From the way we drive to the way we eat, our daily habits determine how much stuff we use – whether we’re talking food, fuel or plastic – and one small change in your daily routine can add up quickly.

For example, by simply relaxing the way you drive – accelerating and braking calmly, staying in the speed limit, and keeping your car running smoothly – you can improve your gas mileage as much as …read more of 8 Everyday Ways to Cut Costs and Live Efficiently here