Hello all, 

Last week I posted some ideas to get you thinking about ways to enjoy the outdoors without spending a lot of money. This week I’ll tell you a guaranteed way of saving money and even add a bit of conserving resources to it.

Now I’m asking that you don’t confuse me with environmentalists.   It just so happens that conservationists and environmentalists have some common interests. However that is a topic for another day.

In recent years there has been much talk about changing the motor vehicle to reduce our energy dependency. In addition to hydrogen-fueled cars, (what the Hindenburg used) many people are lobbying for electric vehicles. In addition to the extra energy needed to produce and dispose of these vehicles and their batteries. Where do you think the electric is going to come from? What do you think is going to happen to your utility bill when all of these vehicles put extra strain on the power grid? Saving gas to spend double or more for electricity doesn’t sound like an answer to me.

We put in energy star appliances and compact fluorescent bulbs, yet the power rates still go up. Adding electric cars. Do we really believe that’s going to save the consumer money? Maybe there’s more we can do.

After giving this some thought, I realized the amount of electricity it takes to run our lives.

Come to think of it, we seem to waste huge amounts of power on light. Most appliances draw electricity even with everything off, but the lights are on. Clocks lit on TV’s, radios, microwaves, stoves, coffeepots, VCRs and DVD players. Outside we have spotlights on houses and landscaping. Newer subdivisions have to have a yard light on all night. Schools and businesses have lights on all night inside and out. Even parking lots are lit up like sports stadiums. Don’t even get me started about places like Atlantic City and Las Vegas.

Homeowners changing bulbs sure doesn’t offset this.

My question is, Why? Just shut them off.

People survived thousands of years without all of these lights.

We have to pay for our home electricity, and then pay taxes and higher costs at stores, schools and businesses so they can pay their utility bills.  Tell them to shut them off.

Think keeping them on all of the time is cheaper.  This was debunked on the Discovery Channel show "Mythbusters"  episode 69.  Unless you're coming back within 24 seconds, every type of light uses less power when shut off and turned back on.

You keep them on for security...  Buy motion lights.  They only turn on when needed.

It's a pain to mess with all of the cords...   I put my TV, VCR and DVD player on a power strip.  One switch shuts them off.

All this light is costing us, and in more than one way.

Next week: Shutting off lights and Ancient Greece

See you ‘round the campfire

Spring and summer just can’t get here soon enough for you?  High gas prices threatening to cancel some road trips?

Here are some ideas to start planning for our upcoming seasons and spending them closer to home.

Go through your freezer:

Take inventory of brats, Italians, hamburgers, etc. Use these up over the next few weeks. Using these up now will free up freezer space and make room for fresh packages as sales of grilling foods become more frequent. Be the first in 2008 to invite your friends over for a cookout!

Put up a bat house:

Bats eat thousands of flying insects a week. Give them a new home this year. (More information here)

Plan fishing trips:

Spring walleye and white bass runs are hard to plan, but family trips and reservations can be done and don’t have to be expensive.

Prepare fishing equipment:

Replace the line on your reels. Sun and use, weaken line and knots. Sharpen your hooks. Store bought hooks may be sharp, but almost always can be made more so. Hook sharpeners are inexpensive too. Why risk losing a fish of your dreams for a few dollars and a few minutes of your time.

Visit a bookstore:

An odd suggestion you say? You don’t have to hunt or fish to get outdoors. Field guides of animals, trees, plants, etc. are available and can add a fun factor to a camping trip, an afternoon in a park, or walk around the block. Kids love this and you may be able to find the books at used bookstores or flea markets.

Plan Camping Trips:

Book campgrounds now. They will fill up fast as the temperature warms. There are many campgrounds within an hour or two drive. Save on gas and road trip worries.

Prepare Camping Equipment:

Did you find a rip in the tent last year? Now you have time to fix or replace it. Need new fire starting materials or camp cookware? Coming up with a list of desires or needs and keeping it handy will allow you to watch for sales.

Birdhouses and maintenance:

This is the time of year to clean old nesting materials out of any past houses you have put up. Migratory birds will be here soon looking for nesting areas. If you don’t have any, build or buy some and put them up now. While at the bookstore, look for identification and feeding guides as well as birdhouse plans. Deciding what type of birds to try to attract to your yard can involve even the littlest of family members.

The outdoor lifestyle and equipment can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be.  Sometimes it just takes a little planning.

See you ‘round the campfire.