Go Green, Live Rich

David,

Now I am totaling geeking out. First, I have told most of my co-workers and friends about my 'gas chart' and now I'm e-mailing you about it. But your book 'Go Green, Live Rich' wanted to know my story.

OK, I will make this as short as I can.

I used to think that I was saving money by driving home to eat lunch instead of eating out. I only live 6 and half miles away, 13 miles round trip, so yes I am saving money going home. However, I can save even more. I have created a chart with a variety of variables, but for my purpose of going home for lunch the only variable I change is the daily price of gas. Today's price of gas in Austin, Texas is $3.39 and at that price it costs $2.45 a day or nearly $590 dollars for the year just to go home. Granted the number is an estimate, and does not take into consideration holidays and vacations. Regardless, this money I am spending on and do not even realize it. Six and half miles adds up?

So to take it a step further, I track my savings and at the end of the month I plan on writing a check to an account I never use but some how have open in name. Once this dollar amounts to a 'serious amount' I plan on investing it somewhere.

On top of that, my wife and I have given up on the 'daily plastic water bottles', so I plan on pumping up the check I mentioned above by $15 a month on savings from not buying all the Ozark bottles.

I have attached my 'Gas Chart' (excel file) in case you are interested. It can be used for more than daily trips.

Thank you,

Garrett L Hall
Austin, Texas

Saving More Than $200 a Month While Going Green

Hi David,

I really enjoy reading your articles. Especially those like this article which help us "green up."

First, I think one of my best accomplishment of going green is spreading the word. I know many people who believe that one person extra won't make a difference. I am very proud to say I've changed the minds of at least 5 of my friends and they have started taking steps in becoming environmentally conscious. They've at a minimum changed all their light bulbs to the energy efficient types.

As for myself, I have also done the light bulb thing, reduced the amount of water I use by installing special nozzles and of course recycle. I recently moved out of my home to an apartment where I find it to be a little more challenging to do as much as I'd like, but I'm still working it. I carpool with a co-worker which is significant because although my car claims Ultra Low Emissions, it is still somewhat a gas guzzler. That has saved me at least $160-$200/month. I also wait until the weekend to do my errands because I pick my sister up and we knock everything out in a day which reduces driving around 5 times a day.

Before I moved, my family and I were really starting to get into these steps. Fortunately, my family is still going strong. My sister composts almost everything from coffee grinds (she even gets them from work) to left over food and vegetables, egg shells. You name it, she's composting it. This compost goes into her garden which is greatly helping her plants. Also, when we do water changes in our fish tanks (we both have fish), we use the old water for our house plants and around the garden. You should see how much better they bloom. Our azaleas are HUGE!!!

We have had a complete house energy audit done through PSE&G (thanks to my mother). The result of this was we got the new light bulbs, the entire house was insulated, new nozzles were put in place for faucets and showers, pipes and the water heater were insulated, and they replaced one of the thermostats. The house is quieter, warmer in the winter. We live in the Northeast and we haven't had to put the heat above 68 degrees all winter - even on the really cold days, and it is cooler in the summer with the a/c only on low.

Finally, I'm sure there's more that my family does that I simply can't think of right now…after reading your article on Yahoo, I have opted out of receiving junk mail, pre-authorized credit and insurance and catalogs.

Thank you very much for your tips and I look forward to reading more.

Liz Traverso

Reducing Costs And Helping Conserve Energy

I am helping my electric/fuel company preserve natural resources, by having joined a program called "Savers Switch", where from June to September I save 15% on my cooling costs and also help conserve energy. (The electric co. cycles the air conditioner off and on at 15- to 20-minute intervals during peak hours to help conserve energy).

I also have small things like a low-flow shower head. I have adjusted my water heater to 115° and I hang-dry my clothes outside rather than use the dryer. Small things add up!

Mary Eisenschenk
Saint Cloud, MN

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