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Do You Rinse Dishes Before Loading the Dishwasher?
It's second nature for me to rinse a dirty dish before placing it in my dishwasher; it's what I was taught to do growing up, and the habit always made sense until I came across a tip from Consumer Reports.
The value focused publication suggests that if saving money and water are household goals, we should do the opposite and resist rinsing. CR estimates that just 10 percent of Americans have stopped prerinsing their dishes.
Could a Time-of-Use Plan Lower Your Electric Bill?
Energy bills can skyrocket in seasons that demand temperature regulation, namely Winter and Summer. SmartMoney has noticed more electric companies offering time-of-use options for customers who are able to minimize their energy use during certain times of the day.
The plans come with lower rates for off-peak times, usually from midevening to early morning, but the rates are much higher for peak-hours use.
Are You Careless With Energy Use While Staying in Hotels?
The perpetually clean bathrooms, plush bath towels, fresh sheets, and anytime room service make hotels divinely liberating. There's another element of home life I've noticed some people ditch when they're staying away, and that's flipping off the light switch when they're not in the room.
According to Claire Newell, author of Travel Best Bets, being conscientious about your energy use in your hotel room is a travel rule to live by, just like the middle seat person on a plane getting both armrests.
6 Ways to Cut Back on Utilities and Household Costs
Running a household isn't cheap. Whether you're a renter or an owner, you have a collection of other costs — from insurance, utilities, and groceries to cleaning and repair fees. Most SavvySugar readers dish out a minimum of $100 per month on utilities alone.
Five Energy Saving Ideas For Renters and Owners
The weather turned ch-ch-ch-chilly this weekend, and while the season change gets us in the mood for Halloween it also means we can expect higher energy bills sooner than later. Right on time, Consumer Reports came up with a list of 25 ways to save on utilities when the weather is cold. They are all great tips but these five ideas can appeal to both renters and homeowners alike.
Money Tip: Savings Idea to Try This Month
Oprah featured the "thriftiest family in America" on Wednesday's episode, so I stopped by her website to check out a recap. What I found was nothing really new, just an overall message to cut spending by tracking expenses and finding deals. However, I did find a money saving hint from a woman named Rhondalyn that could be an interesting experiment to save money and energy.
News Flash: Make More Room in Your Budget For Electric Bills
As if the 30 percent increase in electric bills over the past five years wasn't enough, many US households will see their bills jump another 29 percent this Summer. We all can expect energy costs to increase but the percentage depends on each utility company.
For example, Potomac Edison in Virginia will raise rates by 29 percent while AmerenUE of Missouri will raise rates by 12.1 percent.
Save Money and Energy Whether It's Cool or Hot
Lately, I've been wishing that Real Simple was my BFF! They've come out with some great money tips recently and their latest contribution intersects two essential greens — money and the environment. They put together this handy checklist of energy-related savings solutions, and while some are givens (like buying energy-efficient lightbulbs) others are surprising (I had no idea that it makes a difference if a washing machine is top loading or front loading).
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Wednesday Check-In: You May Need a Midweek Makeover
We've hit the midweek mark — and while that may not be cause for celebration for everyone, it's certainly reason enough to stop and evaluate your weekly progress. Are you on task to complete assignments in time for the weekend or have you spent all of your time prepping your Halloween costume and readying your apartment for a slew of trick-or-treaters? If this is the case, you may be in need of a midweek makeover?
Brilliant or Baffling: Napping Pods
Some companies, including Google and W Hotels, are beginning to capitalize on the benefits of power naps by investing in EnergyPods. It's no secret that napping can increase productivity, and a NASA study shows that a 26-minute nap can increase performance by 34 percent.
The EnergyPod comes with a built-in music player and has a "gentle waking" system that uses a combination of lights and vibration.
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