Saving … the environment
and your pocketbook

These days we hear so much about the possibility of a recession and the inevitable increase in gas prices and gas taxes. The following tips seem timely. Often good environmental decisions turn out to be a wise economic choice.

1. Go to the library. Save a tree and the cost of the book.
2. Stop buying movies. Rent them instead. Technology keeps changing. So many of us had extensive collections of videos. (I’ve even re-bought some of my favorites in DVD.) The problem with collecting more DVD’s is that they will soon be outdated and once again we will be forced to move on to the next new thing.
3. Don’t buy bottled water. The billions of plastic containers produced each year require 1.5 billion gallons of oil to manufacture.* and then a portion of them end up in the landfill. Ounce for ounce it costs more to buy water than it costs to buy milk or gas. Buy a reusable bottle and fill it with water filtered by a Brita water system.
4. Use Freecycle. This is a great way to get rid of your excess or find items that you need. It saves money and it’s a great way to keep things circulating and in the hands of individuals who wants and needs them.
5. Eat In (instead of out). It’s cheaper, it’s healthier and it saves on paper. Think of the volume of placemats, napkins, paper wrappers and crayons that are tossed every day!
6. Save gas.
   • Carpool, walk, bike or take public transportation.
   • Monitor your driving. Avoid rapid acceleration and moderate your speed. It could save up to 40%.**
   • Avoid drag. If you carry extra weight in the cargo area or in a roof top carrier it will lower your mileage.
   • Don’t idle, turn the car off if you are waiting.
   • Minimize air conditioning it can increase fuel consumption by 11%.**
   • Look for the best prices at: www.twincitiesgasprices.com or nationally at www.gasbuddy.com

* Star Tribune 1-07-08
**The above stats were found at www.simplesavings.net

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KAREN HENKE is a professional organizer and the owner of Come2Order. With a collection of 17 years work experience in design, space planning and organization, she now helps others come to order.