The cover story of the October issue of Consumer Reports is releasing some strategies that when used together may cut energy costs by a whopping $1,500. Bonus, saving energy is also a green perk.

The piece covers how homeowners can take their home’s energy efficiency to the next level through more-efficient product upgrades and additions as well as simple, low-cost and even no-cost upgrades and actions.
Bob Markovich, home and yard editor of Consumer Reports says, “According to our recent nationally representative survey, of more than 2,000 Americans, only 12 percent added or upgraded their home’s insulation in the past three years …read more

I’ve talked to several people lately that wash their dishes by hand because they believe they’re saving energy.  Actually, doing less work can save you more money and it also helps the environment.
According to Consumer Reports, an efficient dishwasher can use less water than washing dishes by hand, no matter how frugal you are at the faucet.  
Here are some other tips to lower your bill while using your dishwasher:
1.  Only run your dishwasher when it is full.
2.  Turn it on the energy saver cycle.
3.  Don’t prerinse your load.
4.  Use an enzyme based detergent to get your dishes completely clean. See …read more

Until recently, I have always had a problem with my dishwasher.  I’ve never been able to just scrape my dishes and put them in the dishwasher.  The dishes just don’t come clean.  I moved to a house with a new dishwasher and still had problems.  I even bought the expensive products.
According to Consumer Reports, prerinsing your dishes can waste 20 gallons of heated water a day.  They suggest switching to an enzyme-based detergent so that you can simply scrape off the big chunks and throw the dishes in the machine.  The enzymes get off the stuck on food, so that …read more

Consumer reports recommends these low-cost products for stain removal.   
1.  Hydrogen peroxide – Good for getting out blood, juice, and other red stains.  I’ve used this product many times to get blood out of clothing.  You may want to do a small test spot before using.  After you’ve opened the bottle, you may want to replace it every few months because I’ve heard it starts turning to water.  Someone also told me that they add some peroxide to their load of whites.
2.  Amodex (ink zapper) – This product was featured on Good Morning America and The Oprah Winfrey Show.  Place it …read more

My husband has been complaining about our very expensive canister vacuum since we got it about 6 years ago (FYI – we bought it used).  I liked the vacuum cleaner because it was good on carpet and hardwood floors.  This past year my husband has been talking to me about getting a Dyson vacuum cleaner.  I said there was no way I was going to spend that kind of money.
After my response, my husband began to do something that he does very well.  He began to research the many different brands and products that are available.  He did some research …read more

   
I got an important email alert from Baby Center about a report from Consumer reports. Turns out, they tested 12 rear facing infant car seats and 10 failed. I have a Evenflo Portaround that they don’t even sell anymore that fails the safety tests at weight limit when going 30 MPH. The trick is to not use the LATCH system and take your kids out of the rear facing seats at 20 lbs. Each car seat failed at the weight limit which is usually 22 lbs. Take a look at the report from Consumer Reports and Baby Center and learn …read more