electricity

How To Turn a 2-liter Bottle Of Water Into a 50-Watt Lightbulb

Posted April 6, 2009 - 09:47 by Paul Michael

Green Living, DIY

Bright Idea

It's not often I'm taken aback by the simplicity and power of an invention, but this one does it for me. It's cheap, anyone can make one and it literally changes lives. Welcome to the water-bottle lightbulb.

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Hands in Your Pocket: The Cost of Standby Power - Environmental and Otherwise

Posted March 4, 2009 - 22:07 by Nora Dunn

General Tips, Lifestyle, Green Living

power

Go check your electricity meter box. Is the wheel turning and clicking over, recording your power usage? Probably. Now go back inside, and turn everything off. The lights, the coffee maker - even the fridge - and check your meter again. Is it still turning and clicking? It probably is, if even a little bit.
You are a victim (and wanton consumer) of standby power. And you are paying dearly for it, in more ways than one.

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Plan for expensive fuel

Posted 2 years ago by Philip Brewer

Filed Under: Budgeting, Cars and Transportation

Gas station sign

Does your budget include a contingency for fuel to get much more expensive? Because it ought to.

I learned about the need for contingencies early. My first attempt at setting up housekeeping took place in 1980-1981, right at the peak of an inflationary spurt that saw the consumer price index grow at 14%. My budget was completely destroyed by prices that went up by more than 1% per month.

So what's your contingency for a spike in fuel prices?

Continue reading "Plan for expensive fuel"

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Living Without Air-Conditioning Can Save Big Bucks This Summer

Posted 2 years ago by Linsey Knerl

Filed Under: Green Living

Living in 90 degree weather with over 70 percent humidity the past few days has not been easy here in rural Nebraska. Hearing others complain about it only makes it worse -- especially knowing that they probably have air-conditioning. My family and I have gone without it the past two summers, and I have learned a thing or two about foregoing a very expensive luxury that most people really can live without.

Continue reading "Living Without Air-Conditioning Can Save Big Bucks This Summer"

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Daylight "Saving" Time...What Does It Save, Anyway?

Posted 2 years ago by Andrea Dickson

Filed Under: Extra Commentary

I've always liked long summer evenings, so I look forward to springing forward with daylight saving time every year. But not everyone feels the same way, and I recently learned some things about DST that make me wonder if it's a wise policy or an industry scam.

Continue reading "Daylight "Saving" Time...What Does It Save, Anyway?"

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