Common Eco Sense

There must be a way to figure the costs of the wasted energy around the house. If there is it probably more involved than I really care to dig into. But common sense tells me that my family which consists of three pre-teen and teenagers leaving on appliances and lights much to frequently. I am sure this has to cost $30 to $50 dollars per month.

As I sit here writing this I look around our living room the following are in use. 6 – light bulbs (2 in the living room, and 4 over the kitchen table) 2 – computers and a television. In the background I hear the dishwasher, that is probably running for the second time today. I might as well empty what is left in my wallet right down the toilet.

Even though this might seem like a lot, there is a good chance that there is more lights and energy sucking devices littered through out the house. I am willing to bet that if I go downstairs there will be at least one light and the big screen T.V. and possibly the video game that my son was going to return and play in ‘Just a few Minutes’ turned on.

I am sure my family is like just like any other. Our kids are good kids and try to do the right things. They just seem to go brain dead a fewtimes a day. That is when began to try and find a way to break these nasty money wasting habits. I came across this great idea to help to save the planet and our money. But of course as they say in the ‘Green Life’ it takes money to save money. In the end I hope it will help us all become more conscious of the costs of leaving lights on when we are not in the room.

The energy saving plan.

I read this somewhere on the Internet I would love to give credit where it is due but I cannot remember where.

Start with a jar of quarters, about 40 dollars worth. Then explain to the family the money in the jar can be used for anything they want. Pizza, bowling or maybe a movie.

The catch is every time my wife or myself find a light or an electrical appliance turned on and unattended we can take one quarter out of the jar.

At the end of the month if there is at least twenty dollars left we can use it for whatever they agree upon.  To offer even more encouragement If they catch me they can put one dollar back in the jar.

That’s what I call negative reinforcement. I think this will be some fun for use and  truly expect that that there will been a fun night  in our future. I will be sure to report back the findings.

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