Did you know that many people are increasing their energy bills simply because they haven't insulated their water heater?

Well, it's true.

Your water heater keeps 20 to 60 gallons of water hot (depending on the make and model) -- whether you are there to use it or not. Then, when you do use some of it up, it takes even more power to heat the cold water up to the proper temperature in order to replace the hot water that you used.

However, there is one thing you can do to help save on your energy bills: insulate your water heater! Here's how...

For those who have a garden and lawn, the best way to keep both healthy is to make sure you take care of all those Fall leaves by raking them up.

While some subscribe to the leaf blower method, it never did make much sense to me to blow leaves into the street (or elsewhere) instead of raking them up. Also, using a blower isn't environmentally friendly. So, if like me you prefer to try and do your yard clean-up in as green a fashion as possible, then I see a rake in your future.

Here are some great tips to make raking up your Fall leaves and other yard debris easier...

Everyone these days is offering fun reusable shopping bags for sale. So what makes one reusable bag different from the next?

For starters:

Colors

Shapes

Sizes

Compactability

Durability

Flat-bottomed
 

In the end, it all comes down to personal choice. For example, the most important features to me are a larger than normal size that also compacts small (or at least perfectly flat). Bonus points if it can stand open on its own, thanks to a flat bottom -- similar to a paper sack. My new favorite is the Walmart reusable shopping bag.
 

GOOD NEWS!  Walmart is hosting a 1Million Reusable Bag Giveaway. That's right, on Saturday, April 19, 2008 Walmart will be giving away one million custom-made reusable shopping bags -- beginning at 8AM Local Time and while supplies last.

 
For the record, in addition to large reusable bags like these, I also like to have a couple of reusable shopping bags that pack up really small -- so they're easy to carry with you. (The larger ones -- like the Walmart bag -- I keep in the car.)

Here are some fun reusable shopping bags and places to find them...

I just saw a report on the CBS Early Show about how 'green' can mean big money for small businesses, fun products, and new careers.

My favorite part:
How big mega businesses gobbled up some smaller (but very popular) household brands.

Here they are...

I was recently given a Kill A Watt electricity usage monitor, so this weekend I decided to try it out.

I've always wondered how much energy we're wasting in our home. And if there's a way to save money on electric bills, then I'm all for it!

Plus, we've been trying to be more 'green' these days. Maybe this fun-looking little gadget will help.

By now, most people realize the importance of using compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) to save energy.

It's one of the simplest things you can do to start living an environmentally-friendly life and to save money on your light bills.

BUT... did you also know that CFLs contain mercury which can be dangerous? Mercury is actually poisonous and can affect the nervous system.

I don't say this to scare you or to detract from the many benefits of using CFLs, but rather to assist you in the event that one of them breaks!

Did you know this?...

When you're recycling plastic bottles (water bottles, for example), never leave the cap on the bottle itself.

Why?