It seems as though there has been a steady and fast increase in the prices of drinks in the past few years.  I know it was just a few years ago that I was paying $1.00 for a glass of tea at the Mexican restaurant.  Now they’re charging $1.50 or more.

I usually get water anyway when eating out.  I just know that it’s better for me and it helps me to drink more water.  Sometimes it is nice for a treat, but gosh, I don’t know about paying $2. 

If you’re looking to save money when eating out, try ordering water.  For a family of 4 it could save you $8, which is the price of a meal. 

Do you order water when eating out?  Please vote in our poll to the right.

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Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Due to our current water shortage, I thought we could all use a reminder of ways to conserve.

25 Ways to Reduce Your Water Bill

Picture from oakharbor.org.

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

A few weeks ago, I gave you some tips on saving money on your summer electric bill.  There are more ways to save throughout the year that you might want to consider.  Here are some ways to cut back on the expense of water usage.

1.  Put an approved insulation jacket/blanket on your electric hot water heater.

2.  Insulate hot water pipes.

3.  Wash clothes in cold water, if possible.  Always rinse clothes in cold water.

4.  Clean and maintain hot water heater.  Drain water from bottom of water heater to remove sediment, at least once a year.  This one definitely needs to be done at my house.

5.  Take showers instead of baths.

6.  Make sure your shower head is one that is designed to reduce water usage.

7.  Try not to stay in the shower more than 5 minutes.

8.  Fix leaky faucets.

9.  Use your dishwasher.

10.  Shut off faucet when shaving, brushing your teeth, and doing dishes.

11.  Only use washing machine and dishwasher when you have a full load.

12.  Adjust washing machine water levels to match your load.

13.  Use cold water in the garbage disposal.

14.  Check water efficiency ratings before buying new appliances.  Some washing machines use a few gallons less per load.

15.  Avoid using sprinklers and water soakers to water your grass.  Instead, collect rain water in buckets.  You may even want to invest in a rain barrel.  These can also be attached to your gutters to help collect the most water.  We considered purchasing one of these a few years ago because of water restrictions. 

16.  Check toilets for leaks.  The inside plumbing for a toilet is only a few dollars.  A few years ago, our water bill kept rising every month.  The water dept suggested that we put a packet of unsweetened Kool-Aid in the tank to see if it drained into the bowl.  The color immediately drained into the bowl and we got our toilet fixed, which saved us a lot of money.

17.  Chill water in refrigerator, rather than running faucet for water to cool down before filling a glass.

18.  Consider getting an on-demand hot water heater.

19.  If you have a gas hot water heater, make sure your pilot light is adjusted and working properly.  Make sure your flu pipe is clear with no bird or insect nests inside.

20.  To reduce water usage from your toilet, fill a small water bottle with sand or water and place inside the tank.  Do not use a brick because the brick can dissolve and cause future problems.

21.  Reduce your water heater temperature to 120 degrees.  If your dishwasher does not have a booster heater, you may need to set it higher.

22.  Install aerators on your faucets, which will reduce the flow of water.

23.  Cover swimming pools when not in use to help keep the water from evaporating.

24.  Avoid using the toilet as a trashcan.  Throw away cotton swabs, tissues, and other items rather than flushing them.

25.  If you need to water your plants, try to water them in the early morning or evening.  Watering them during the heat of the day will cause the water to evaporate quickly.

Ok, I’ve racked my brain for too long.  Do you have any tips to share?

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Post from: Thrifty Mommy

To avoid being a victim you can:

1.  Have the car checked out by a mechanic.

2.  Sniff around the car to see if there is a musty or damp odor.

3.  Get a carfax report.  All you need is the vehicle identification number (VIN).

4.  Inspect the trunk, glove compartment, dashboard for sand, mud, or other signs of water damage.  Inspect flooring, seats, and other upholstery for water damage or discoloration.

5.  Check windshield wipers, lights, turn signals, heat and air conditioning, and radio to make sure everything is working properly.

Picture from msnbc.msn.com.

Post from: Thrifty Mommy