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The Infamous Mystery Means
Dear Mary: My husband has two jobs — he is an artist and a salesman. He earns commissions from both jobs, so we never know what our income will be. I work part-time and am paid hourly. How do we go about setting up a budget? — Carol, …Read more.
Handy Tools Ease the Pain
Manufactures have been making a name — and a profit — for themselves creating tools and gadgets to help consumers get a "better grip" on countless household tasks. And I'm not knocking it. But I love it when I don't have to …Read more.
Let the Decluttering Begin
I know it's time. It's been time for at least five years, possibly longer. I need to clean my kitchen. Now, before you send the Health Department to my address, let me explain. What I mean by "clean" is that I need to clean out and …Read more.
A Glimmer of Hope to Cling To
Think back to a low point in your life. Don't struggle with this, just try to recall when you were going through a difficult season and life seemed bleak. Now recall that first glimmer of hope you clung to as you could see that things were beginning …Read more.
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Water: Our Most Precious ResourceI didn't pay attention to the notice in the mail announcing a 60 percent increase in our residential water rates. But my neighbor mentioned it, and I'm still steamed about it. How on earth can anything just increase by more than half? By the looks of things, we Californians are not the only ones finding water to be almost as precious as gold. A while back, USA Today reported that huge increases in water and sewer bills were on the way in many places, as cities and towns try to deal with their aging pipes and "artificially low prices." While we can't do much to change the rates, one way to keep a lid on out-of-control costs is to use less water. I'm the first to admit that I waste more water than I can possibly imagine. And that's about to stop. Florida-based American Water & Energy Savers has put together a list of 49 ways to save water. Here are my favorites: 1. Never put water down the drain when there may be another use for it, such as watering a plant or garden, or cleaning. 2. Verify that your home is leak-free. Many homes have hidden water leaks. Here's how to test: Read your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter does not read exactly the same, there is a leak. 3. Repair dripping faucets by replacing washers. If your faucet is dripping at the rate of one drop per second, you can expect to waste 2,700 gallons per year, which will add to the cost of water and sewer utilities, or strain your septic system. 4.
5. Avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily. Dispose of tissues, insects and other such waste in the trash rather than the toilet. 6. Take shorter showers. Replace your shower head with an ultra-low-flow version. Some units are available that allow you to cut off the flow without adjusting the water temperature knobs. 7. Use the minimum amount of water needed for a bath by filling the tub only one-third full. Put the stopper in the drain before turning on the water. The initial burst of cold water will be warmed by adding hot water. 8. Don't let water run while shaving or washing your face. Brush your teeth first while waiting for water to get hot, and then wash or shave after filling the basin. 9. Store drinking water in the refrigerator rather than letting the tap run every time you want a cool glass of water. Go to www.AmericanWater.com to read more ways to save water. Mary Hunt is the founder of www.DebtProofLiving.com and author of 20 books, including her brand new release, "7 Money Rules for Life." You can email her at mary@everydaycheapskate.com, or write to Everyday Cheapskate, P.O. Box 2135, Paramount, CA 90723. To find out more about Mary Hunt and read her past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com. COPYRIGHT 2012 CREATORS.COM
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