Saving Money By Saving The Planet

My family is very budget conscious right now, but fortunately many of the things we can do to save money are also good for the environment. All of these things are so easy to put into action and doubly beneficial!

Save energy
· Adjust your thermostat a few degrees.
· Install compact fluorescent light bulbs.
· Unplug appliances or use power strips when not using them.
· Turn off the lights when you leave the room.
· Turn down the heat or turn off the air conditioner when you’re not at home.
· Wash clothes in cold water.

Save water
· Use a reusable water bottle filled with filtered tap water.
· Water plants with rain water collected in containers in your garden.
· Take shorter showers.
· Skip watering the grass and washing the car.

Save paper
· Use both sides of every sheet of paper.
· Write lists and notes-to-self on the backs of envelopes or junk mail.
· Don’t print unless you have to.
· Read online instead of printed magazines and newspapers.
· Pay bills online.

Save gas
· Take the bus to work.
· Walk or take a bike for short distances.

Who knew living tight was such a great thing?! Even better, my kids are excited to help out because they care about saving the planet (it is a little harder to get them jazzed about saving money).

A Really Good, Very Bad Day

Yesterday I was having a bad day. I was way overly tired and a lot of things seemed to not be going my way. I was also feeling sad for a couple of my friends who are going through hard times. I cried a little and was just generally down.

But then...
My friend Laura invited me into her office and let me pour it all out.
My friend Jenn checked in on me twice.
My friend Wade made me laugh.
My friend Jill pretended I wasn’t acting crazy.
My kids snuggled with me on the couch.
My husband let me go to bed before the kids were even down.
My kitty joined me under the covers.

I went to sleep with a smile on my face feeling like one lucky girl. That I most definitely am.

Saved by the Super Kids

I love this photo of my kids in their Halloween costumes. I love that they worked together to coordinate costumes. I love that they planned their little pose themselves. I love how happy they look and how happy they make me.

This photo is the current home screen on my Blackberry, which is my constant sidekick. I can't tell you how many times I have glanced down at it during a busy day at work and smiled. Every time I look at this picture my Super Kids save me from whatever I may be stressing over.

Pictures are so great that way. Little memory keepers that have a way of bringing us back like nothing else.

I am not a scrapbooker and I don't have an organized system for my photos, but I still enjoy them fully. There are snap shots framed all over my home and office and I proudly share with my friends on facebook regularly.

Another of my favorite ways to use pictures is as bookmarks. Each time I open my book I get a chance to bring that special memory back. I usually select pictures as bookmarks that aren't quite right for framing, but they mean something special to me.

Once my Super Kids picture is replaced in the place of honor on my phone it may just make it to a frame. I think this one is a long-time keeper!