2. Water Usage
From indoor water use to outdoor use, water is a hefty expense. In areas as sunny and warm as Texas, consider investing in drought-resistant landscaping in order to cut down your water use outside. Buffalo grass and hydrangeas, among others, are beautiful foliage that requires little to no maintenance and requires little to no water.
Energy-efficient dishwashers have eco-friendly settings that use less water and less electricity. They are powerful enough to clean dishes and silverware that have not been pre-rinsed. Pre-rinsing your dishes can expend close to $70 a year, which is a huge waste of money if your dishwasher is capable of washing without a pre-rinse.
One of the biggest wastes of money where water is concerned is allowing water to run for no purpose. Whether it’s in the shower, while you’re brushing your teeth, or while doing dishes, you are wasting gallons of water you are paying for. Turn off the water while brushing your teeth, and invest in an instant hot water dispenser in order to avoid wasting water while you wait for it to heat up. If you have a traditional water heater, set it to 120 degrees or a little bit higher to save money.
3. Meals
People lose hundreds of dollars each year from throwing out produce they were not able to eat. Often the produce that goes to waste is a purchase for a specific meal. Instead of having leftovers you cannot use in time, plan each meal ahead of time and purchase items that can be used for two or three meals. Not only are you saving money on not having to waste produce; you are also saving money by not spending as much per meal.
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