$$$-The 5 Rs-#1 Reduce-$$$

Hey guys and gals,
Although the 5Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Renew and Respect) are generally incorporated into my discussions I figured they each deserve their own posts. If you haven't guessed already today's "R" is Reduce:

Reduce everything! I'm talking energy consumption, time driving, cleaning supplies, general "stuff", even your subscriptions to magazines and newspapers.

Energy consumption has been covered before and will probably be covered again; but just as a reminder, turn out the lights and turn down the heat (or A/C if you live in a warmer region: By the way my post about saving on your heating bill can also be applied to cooling costs). You can also replace your lights with high efficiency ones (they generally last longer and use less power).

If you're like me then you don't have a car :( but if you do use it less. Try to plan your shopping trips so you can pick up all you need in one swift spree. Carpool with friends and family and coworkers. Here's my favorite: ride a bike. Riding bike is very fun and saves you loads on gas. If biking isn't an option then walk. I know of too many people that drive somewhere when they could just walk. Walking is fun and it relieves stress quite a bit; go for a walk with your significant other rather than a drive (it's more romantic because then you get to hold hands). Just try to drive less is all I'm trying to say it helps the environment and your savings account.

Use as little cleaning things as possible. If at all possible clean with green cleaners that you can get at Walmart, Target, Kmart, and any other store. And also try to get multipurpose/surface cleaners rather than one for glass, one for wood, plastic, etc etc.

Reduce your stuff but don't throw it away use one of the other Rs. Most people in the US have way to "stuff" or as I like to call it: crap. Half the crap we have we don't need or even want we just get it to have it. I won't lie I have lots of stuff I don't need, or want anymore. Before you go shopping make a list of the things you need and stick to it. Other than the other Rs (ie recycle, renew, reuse) you can sell your crap on ebay or to some other sucker at work or school. Somebody always wants something.

Pretty much all the information you could want in the universe is on the internet. Since you're reading this I'm going to go ahead and say I know you have the internet. Use the internet to get your stocks, weather, sports, and celebrity news it's all here and free. So instead of paying for your magazine and newspaper subscriptions just go online.

Just make a list of all the stuff you have and use and try to figure out which stuff you could go without or with less of. And remember TURN OUT THE LIGHTS