Be A Money Miser: 5 Easy Ways To Save

By Katherine Hegemann

Here are some adjectives used to describe saving money: cool, smart, easy, difficult, necessary. Do you know anyone who doesn’t want to save money?

Although people want to save money, it can be difficult to know where to begin. The challenge is to find some specific things you can easily do.

1. Are you really saving money?

A small calculator is cheap and can save you a lot of money. For most people, it is the only way to figure out if some price is fair and competitive.

A special in the grocery store is for dehydrated noodle soup; two for $3.27. The cost for each is $1.64. But looking at other similar products, you see that the cost of a different flavor of the same brand is $1.50. This is a simple example, but the point is that unless you calculate the actual cost for one and compare the prices, you won’t know.

A second example is the size of two items. You see tomato juice in the 48-ounce and 64-ounce size. The smaller one is $3.85 and the larger is $7.50. Which is the cheapest? With your handy calculator, divide the price by the ounces for each size. What did each cost? The 48-ounce juice costs $.08 per ounce and the 64-ounce size costs $.11 per ounce. You won’t save any money. The calculator helped.

Sometimes you just don’t save any money unless you use your brain. Store brands are generally cheaper, but are they a good deal?

One example is paper towels. The store brand is $1.29 and the name brand is $2.63. The store brand looks the same size or larger than the name brand. But when you pick up the store brand and squeeze, you notice there is a big difference. The store brand is lighter. When you squeeze the roll, it’s squishy. What’s up? Some store brands roll the paper very loosely and use a lighter weight paper. In this case you might not be saving money at all.

Flannel pajama bottoms are on your need-to-buy list. You need to see if buying the whole pajama set is the same, or more or less than just the bottoms. During an Amazon search for the least expensive, women’s flannel pajamas were priced at $12.99 and just the bottoms were priced at $16.99. However, men’s flannel pajamas were $20.00 and the bottoms were $12.99.

Comparison shopping takes a little time and thought, but you can save money.

2. Make a list and hurry up.

Do not go shopping without a list, and stick to the list. There might be items you see that you forgot to put on your list. That’s fine, but those chocolate donuts near the checkout definitely aren’t.

Start by keeping a record of how long it takes you to buy everything on your list. When you go shopping (especially groceries), set up a time schedule. Cut the amount of time by 15 minutes and stick to it. You are less likely to buy items you really don’t need or have on your list if you are in a hurry. You can’t determine how long it will take to check out, but you can determine how long you take to pick up items on your list.

3. I just have to have it.

Don’t impulse buy. There are occasions when you just really want to buy an item. Budget for that but keep the amount you spend less than $10.

Rule of thumb 1: Do you need it or just want it? Be realistic with your answer.

Rule of thumb 2: If it costs between $20 and $50, think about it for a few days to a week. Many times you’ll decide that this isn’t something you either want or need.

Rule of thumb 3: If it costs over $50, give yourself at least a month to decide if this is a good use of your money.

Rule of thumb 4: Unless it’s an emergency, like your refrigerator quits and can’t be repaired, give yourself six months or more to decide. Keep checking prices from different sources and look for sales. Perhaps you can save enough money to pay cash. Does a source have a layaway program? Layaway is much better that than a credit card with a high interest rate. You can save yourself a lot of money by taking time to find the best price and different ways to pay for the item.

4. Turn it off.

The price of electricity is going to go up. In the US, the main source of electricity generation is coal, which is a fossil fuel and finite. Corporate leaders demand higher profits. Coal fired power plants are aging and require expensive maintenance. Can you do much about those reasons for the cost of power rising? No, but you can determine how many kilowatts you use per billing period.

Tactic 1: Turn off lights in vacant rooms. Make it a habit.

Tactic 2: Turn off the electric water heater when you finish with hot water for the day. You want it to be on long enough to re-heat after you finish using hot water later in the day, but then turn it off. Whoever gets up first has to turn it on the next morning.

Tactic 3: Are you running a radio in an empty room? You know what to do; turn it off. The same goes for the TV or a gaming machine.

Tactic 4: Call or go by Mountain Electric or visit the website. They have ways for you to cut down on your power use. (Mountain Electric, 604 South Shady Street, Mountain City, TN; 727-1800; mountainelectric.com)

5. Can I borrow it, buy it used, or rent it?

Books and magazines are a wonderful resource and many people enjoy reading. However, books and magazines can be expensive. Before buying a book, consider borrowing it from our local public library (http://www.johnsoncolib.org/). Even if the library doesn’t have the book you want, the librarians can usually get the book through a vast interlibrary loan network here in northeast Tennessee. While you may not be able to check out a magazine or other periodical, you can read the publication at the library.

One option you can consider is looking for discounted books. Discount retail stores, as well as some grocery stores, have a discount table. Books are often one third to one half or more the retail prices.

Another option is to buy used books. They don’t have the look, feel or smell of a new one, but you can sure save a lot of money. The public library has a book sale at least once a year where you can pick up a good read. Most of the major bookstores now have websites where you can buy used and discounted items. Some examples are Books-A-Million (www.booksamillion.com), Barnes & Noble (www.barnesandnoble.com), and Borders (www.borders.com). One of the extensive online resources for new and used books is Amazon (www.amazon.com). Amazon has contracted with thousands of used booksellers and posts their inventories online. Used books can be bought for a fraction of the full retail price.

Going to the movies has become quite pricy. Tickets in this area average $7.00 for a child, $7.50 for an adult, and $6.50 for a senior (http://www.fandango.com/37683_movietimes?srce=1). Add at least $20.00 for popcorn and drinks, and you see where this is going. The total can be $35.00 or more for two adults to see one movie.

Alternatively, you can sign up for a DVD rental membership. There are several stores in Mountain City which have movie rentals, with usually two to three days until the movie must be returned.

Blockbuster (www.blockbuster.com) and Netflix (www.netflix.com) have membership services, too. These memberships include rentals sent by mail and on demand; you can watch by connecting to the company website.

Blockbuster also has local stores, and the membership for movies, including their mail service, begins at $11.99 a month for one movie at a time. Blockbuster has on-demand movies you can watch via special devices like your computer, mobile device, and electronic devices like game consoles. Their On Demand service includes some free movies; however, most of these have a fee. The rates are $2.99 or less and $3.00 or more per movie.

Netflix membership starts at $9.99 a month for one movie at a time. Netflix also has Watch Instantly movies you can access similarly to the way you can at Blockbuster. Netflix has a limited number of Watch Instantly but there is no extra charge for the ones they offer. The company has stated that it is in the process of expanding this part of their service.

You can cancel your membership with either company at any time. Both services are money savers compared to going to a theater to see a movie.

As the TV commercial says, “It’s your money.” What you do with it is your choice. There are many different reasons people want to save money. A rainy day? Fixed income? Low income? Frugality? Just love a good deal? The ones given here are just a few. If you take a long look at your wallet and how you spend your money, you should be able to find many ways to save a little here and a little there. It all adds up.

For more information:

Moneycentral:10 Easy Ways To Stash Away Thousands.aspx

Dumb Little Man: 30 Easy Ways To Save Money

The Digital Life: Best Ways To Save Money

© 2011, Katherine B. Hegemann

Eating Wisely: What It Is and Isn’t

By Katherine Hegemann

What exactly is eating wisely and why does it matter? Eating wisely means making sure foods you take into your body are nutritious and add to a complete, wholesome diet. Foods that give energy, contribute to a healthy weight and health, provide variety, and satisfy taste preferences are what make it possible to start and stay with eating wisely. Eating wisely does not mean cutting out everything you love to eat, becoming obsessed with a food fad, or eating bland and unappealing food.

Healthy and Wise Diets

With a little research, you will find many diets that are called the best way to eat healthy. Some examples are carnivorous (meat eating), vegetarian, Mediterranean, low carbohydrate, and raw food diets. Each one has aspects that make them tempting and healthy. However, not one alone is what most people can do or want in their lives. What you eat must meet your needs. Do you need to be on a high protein diet? Maybe going vegetarian isn’t for you. Are you suffering from fatigue? Then a low carbohydrate diet might not work. Are you living on a fixed or low income? Specialized diets may cost more than you can afford but a wise and healthy diet is balanced and inexpensive. A look at your health issues, tastes, and family will help you decide exactly what foods you should eat and in what quantities.

The Food Pyramid

The food pyramid is not an absolute but does provide general guidelines for your food choices. The pyramid has been recently revised to add more fruit, vegetables, and whole grains.

Visit http://www.mypyramid.gov/ to read about what our government recommends and even develop a family diet plan to make sure you get the right kinds of food.

In the graphic of the Food Pyramid, the larger the slice, the more of a food type you should eat. Left to right: orange=grains, green=vegetables, red=fruits, yellow=oils, blue=dairy, and purple=meat and beans.

Here are a few tips from the USDA to consider:

1. Half of your grains should be whole grains;
2. Add variety to your vegetables;
3. Increase the amount of fruit you eat;
4. Calcium rich foods are essential;
5. Protein should be of the lean type;
6. Balance food intake and physical activity; and
7. Make sure your food is safe.

After the Basics

You want to eat wisely. You also want to enjoy the food you eat. The Christmas Holiday season has recently ended. Many people gain up to ten pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year’s from eating all those wonderful, sweet, rich foods. You can’t watch a television program, read a magazine, or listen to the radio without the latest, greatest way to take off those holiday pounds.

Certified nutritionists say diets don’t work, but Americans spend $40 BILLION every year on diets and dieting (http://www.businessweek.com/debateroom/archives/2008/01/the_diet_indust.html). That is A LOT of money for something that doesn’t work. “Business Week” calls all the promises of the diet industry trash and a lie. The ONLY diet ever known to consistently work is from the American Diabetes Association (http://www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/food/). You can modify that diet if you’re not diabetic. You have to make your own choices but keep in mind that MOST diets don’t work.

There has to be a better way for all of us. That way is called balance. Eat that brownie but not four of them. Love fried chicken? Okay then eat it once a month. How about mashed potatoes with rich gravy? Eat that once or twice a month. Despise broccoli? Well, broccoli is in the brassica (cabbage) family, so try cabbage, collards, Brussels sprouts, or kohlrabi.

The way you don’t go overboard is to use portion control. At first you might need to measure servings, but it doesn’t take long to know how much one portion is. Many prepared foods give not only number of portions per package but also portion size. Do you really need a whole cup of mashed potatoes with a third of a cup of gravy? Perhaps a half a cup with a drizzle of gravy will do.

Whole Foods vs. Prepared Foods

Whole, fresh foods that you prepare from scratch are the best. Nobody questions that statement. But people don’t have the time or the desire to do that kind of preparation. Our opinions about food preparation are determined by time and how we view food. Also, what you know about whole and prepared foods can help decide what choices you make.

Prepared foods are a time saver and easy. However, they are often full of preservatives and taste enhancing chemicals. There are times when you will buy and eat them but try to limit that. Read the labels to see what a prepared food contains.

Does working limit your choices? Maybe not. Planning a weekly menu, buying to fulfill that menu, and being sure all the elements for a meal are ready to go when you get home makes things a lot easier.

Do you hate cooking? The answer is KIS (keep it simple). Consider this example:

Baked Mexican Chicken and Rice

Preheat oven to 350^o F

You will need:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut in 1 inch cubes
• 1 cup white rice
• 1/2 cup canned (drained) or frozen corn
• 1 1/2 cups salsa
• 1 can drained and rinsed black beans
• Seasoning blend vegetables (peppers, onion, celery)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Shredded cheddar cheese

What you do:

• Mix all ingredients except the cheese in a 2 or 3 quart casserole dish
• Bake for 1 hour
• Remove lid and sprinkle cheese on top
• Continue baking until cheese is melted and just beginning to brown (about 10 minutes)

How do you view food? If your view of food is negative, remember a few things. Food is necessary for survival. Food is fun. Food tastes good. Food is not the enemy or a chore. Let it appeal to your senses: sight, smell, taste, and texture. It’s up to you to see food as a friend and prepare it so that it is good for you, fun and tasty.

A Few Eating Tips

1. Keep the foods you eat healthy but go for variety;
2. Find recipes that appeal to you but try something new, too;
3. Discover ways to cook food that isn’t labor intensive;
4. Keep the meals simple;
5. Prepare a weekly menu and shop from your menu;
6. Eat small portions of those foods you love that are a no-no, but only eat them occasionally;
7. Use portion control;
8. Try a smaller plate or bowl because it fools your mind into thinking you’re eating more food; and
9. Eat slowly so you enjoy your meal!

You Can Do This

The good in our lives comes with work. Eating wisely is no different, but you can do it. It is all about loving and caring for your family and yourself. Even today with our busy and full lives, meals are a time of friendship, fellowship, fun, talking, sharing, and laughing. Isn’t that the best reason for eating wisely?

© 2011, Katherine B. Hegemann

Is It Spring Yet?

By Katherine Hegemann

They first begin to arrive in mid-December. The flood begins the first week of January. The names make you drool: Park, Burpee, Gurney, Veseys, Michigan Bulb, Vermont Bean, Johnny’s, Henry Field’s, Seed Savers, and Wood Prairie. Flowers and vegetable seed catalogs are the stuff of a gardener’s dream.

We are not even half-way into January, but already folks are asking the question, “Is it spring yet?” Although spring is fairly far into the future, at least as far as the winter weather is concerned, it is time to think about a garden. This article is mainly concerned with organic gardening, but much of the information can be applied to other types of gardens.

Getting Started

With a little work you can have fresh vegetables from March until mid-December. You can do that here in northeast Tennessee even without a greenhouse. Just a small space, as small as four by nine feet, can provide a bounty of fresh vegetables. Here is an easy schedule: early gardens in March, depending on the winter snows; summer gardens no earlier than mid-May; late gardens mid-July to early August.

Do you have permanent beds or do you till the entire garden space every year? There is usually a little less work with the permanent beds, but some people rework their garden space every spring. One great information source is Mother Earth News. There is a great website (http://www.motherearthnews.com).

You should also consider how you need to condition your soil so you have an abundant harvest.

Turning the entire garden space requires either a pitchfork or a tiller. You can either rent or buy a tiller. Although a tiller is great if your space isn’t too large, doing it by hand in the small garden is neither difficult nor time consuming. The main point is to loosen the soil so the roots of your plants have room for growing, getting enough air, and absorbing nutrients and water.

Testing your soil is a good idea, to know what enhancements your garden will need. Kits can be found at a reasonable price in any of the local gardening stores. You want to consider putting down a shallow layer of seasoned manure or organic fertilizer. Gently rake or turn the soil. Then you want to layout rows or beds.

Planting

It is time to consider what you want to plant. Early and late gardens can support cool weather plants like greens, cabbage, turnips, beets, radishes, lettuce, some beans, broccoli, and many others. The summer garden may include tomatoes, corn, cucumbers, beans, squash, melons, and the list goes on.

Do you want plants that grow up on some type of support or not? Do you want a container garden? Unless you are growing a patio or determinate (limited height) tomato, you will need to support the plant as it grows, as tomatoes are a vine. How about beans? Bush or runners? Bush beans are less likely to get disease or fungus and produce faster. Running beans produce more and take less space. The same is true of cucumbers. Many vegetables need some support, even if the garden books don’t say so. Support choices are only limited by your imagination. How about branches, stakes, netting, cages? If you have limited space, consider plants that grow up, not out. You would be surprised at what you can grow in a container if you have limited space: tomatoes, broccoli, or eggplant.

Next, using the information on planting each vegetable, sow your seeds or plant your seedlings. Make sure you water as you plant, whether it’s seeds or plants.

One valuable tip is to water lightly but thoroughly for three days to give seeds or plants a chance to become established. Put out seedlings at twilight to help prevent plant sunburn. You can use a row/plant cover to protect tender seedlings from overexposure to the sun and bugs or even frost.

There are so many fabulous annuals and vegetables available that it can be hard to decide which to plant. You will need to decide to start seeds or buy plants. If you are a long time gardener, try growing something new. How about cheddar cauliflower, Swiss chard, white beets, or kohlrabi? Have you ever grown heirloom or non-hybrid vegetables like Country Gentleman corn or Black Krim tomatoes?

Starting seeds is fun but takes a little more time and patience. The time to start seeds is normally 4-6 weeks before you plant them outdoors (http://www.gardenguides.com/3021-starting-seeds-indoors.html).

Seed packets give the time you need before planting outside. When you start seeds, it is best to use a commercial grade starting medium and clean trays or pots. If you are going to put out seedlings, you will need to harden them off first. That means exposing them to short then longer periods of sunlight. If you don’t do this, you will lose more plants to sunburn. Some vegetables that do well started indoors are tomatoes, broccoli, cabbage, onions, and peppers.

Some seeds do better just planted in the ground. Turnips, corn, beans, greens, wildflowers, and others don’t do well started in flats then transplanted outside. The seeds are planted directly in the garden.

Care and Maintenance

If you are regular with care, it doesn’t take much time or effort to keep those pesky weeds from crowding out your plants and stealing nutrients. Also, consider mulch to keep the soil moist, cool, and almost weed free. The weeds that do come up will be easily removed if you mulch.

Some good types of mulch are decomposed leaves, broken down hardwood or pine, and straw (not hay). The main concern is to look at two things. First you want mulch with no seed in it. Remember weeds. Second you need to know if the plants need acid or non-acid, also called sweet mulch. For example, tomatoes need acid mulch like pine while cucumbers need sweet mulch like straw.

Don’t forget the flowers. They add beauty and help the garden. Flowers attract good insects and repel the bad ones. Some add nutrients to the soil. Some, like nasturtiums, are even good to eat.

You will probably need to fertilize a couple of times during the growing season. About mid-season put down a side layer of organic fertilizer. As the plant begins to produce, do this again. Just as you need food to flourish, so do plants.

Most gardens need an inch of water per week. When the temperatures are really high, the garden might need more. That is another reason to mulch. The mulch keeps the water from evaporating, meaning you don’t have to. But if it is a very wet season, keep the mulch shallow. Too much water can be as bad as not enough. Soil that is too wet prevents oxygen and fertilizer from getting to the plant roots.

Added Information

On a note of caution, be sure you are buying good and safe plants. The massive late tomato blight which occurred all over the US a few years ago was a result of contaminated seedlings from a greenhouse operation in Alabama http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/18/nyregion/18tomatoes.html).

There are local growers in our area who start their plants from seed and are careful to ensure you are buying healthy, disease and fungus free, as well as reasonably priced plants.

My website has several videos for people interested in gardening: (http://www.cosmicbreezes.com/start_a_garden.htm).

For seed catalogs, you can always ask a gardener friend to borrow their catalog or click on any of the links given below to order a free catalog. Visit an online provider for lots of information about the right plant for this area and great growing advice.

* http://www.gardenlist.com/

* http://davesgarden.com/products/gwd/

* http://freeseedcatalogs.com/

Get started, get going, get growing. It’s that time again.

© 2011, Katherine B. Hegemann

Go Away Bedbugs

December 27, 2010

It appears from all the reports that bed bugs have made a comeback. Research shows that the banning of some pesticides used in the past that killed bed bugs may be part of the reason. These pesticides are very hazardous to humans and animals too, which is why they are not used anymore. Rather than reintroduce these dangerous pesticides, there are alternative ways to prevent bed bugs from paying you a visit or kill the little devils if you get an invasion. Some of the ways are non-chemical and others are.

There are a variety of non-chemical ways you can use to get rid of bed bugs. You can steam clean your home including all furniture and bedding, or hire someone to do it. Keep a vacuuming schedule of every other day and always change the bag or empty and clean the container in a bag-less machine. You should put a natural bed bug killer into the bag or container of a bag-less vacuum cleaner. When washing bedding, do so with hot water and dry at high temperatures, as bed bugs won’t survive the heat. Seal crevices with caulking or silicone. Finally, you can use sticky traps. All of these are good, but sometimes more is needed.

Several non poisonous products are also available that are safe for humans and animals. Cedar oil is a natural product that works well. You can buy spray bottles or a fogger kit and do the whole house. Cedar oil kills many insects, including fleas and bed bugs. For more information go to the website listed at the end of this article, and you search for a list of cedar oil based bug killers. You should also do an Internet search for pros and cons of using cedar oil products.

Another really simple product to use is diatomaceous earth, which is a naturally occurring, soft, siliceous sedimentary rock that is easily crumbled into a fine white to off-white powder. It is safe to use just about anywhere, but you should check the label. It is available in Mountain City at the Garden Barn. Other building and gardening supply business may carry diatomaceous earth so call around. Food grade diatomaceous earth is also used in gardens, in chicken nests, and on cats and dogs for mites and fleas. Farmers also feed it to cows and horses to prevent or get rid of intestinal parasites. You can order it online, too. Just be sure you don’t order the kind used for pools, but food grade.

Pyrethrins can also be used against the little critters. Pyrethrins are made from the chrysanthemum plant. There are a variety of products that use Pyrethrins, so check labels. Pyrethrins break down fairly quickly, thus you’ll need to reapply. Ask the retailer about how often you need to reapply. As with any chemical product, you need to do your research. What is 100% safe for humans may not be so safe for dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, or other companion animals. And don’t forget the babies, older children and seniors. Just make sure what you use is safe for everybody; follow safe practices and comply with product directions.

If you use the chemicals, remove all pets and yourself from each room for about an hour. That allows the products to work and any fumes to disperse. Remove bedding, including mattress covers, before using products in the bedrooms. You should still vacuum the rooms and wash bedding to get rid of the dead bugs. If you use the diatomaceous earth, reapply in the cracks and crevices.

You can get rid of bed bugs with a little work and research. And you don’t need to use poisons to do it. Most people have never had bed bugs. However, now you do know what to do if you get a bed bug invasion, and not use dangerous pesticides to do it.

For further information:

1. http://www.cedarcidestore.com/cedarproducts.html
2. http://www.badbedbugs.com/how-to-get-rid-of-bed-bugs/
3. http://www.bedbugbattleplan.com/content/view/42/33/
4. http://quickcare.org/misc/how-to-get-rid-of-bed-bugs.html
5. http://ezinearticles.com/?How-To-Get-Rid-Of-Bed-Bugs---Tips-On-How-To-Kill-Bed-Bugs-Quickly-And-Easily&id=548687

© 2010, Katherine Hegemann

Water, Water Everywhere

Water, Water Everywhere

By Kitty Hegemann

Water:  the substance without which life would cease to exist on this planet. You can go a long time without food, but after three days with no water, you will die.

Our bodies are 70 percent water.

Water has the chemical formula of H2O, two hydrogen atoms for each oxygen atom.

H2O in the liquid form is water; the solid form is ice and the gaseous form is steam or vapor.

Water is used in almost all processing – from food, to petroleum, to clothing, and even to cars. Water is in everything we drink, from, well, plain water to fruit juice to soda, and it is in the food we eat, too.

There can be problems with too much water. Heavy rains can bring flooding; heavy snow can leave people and animals stranded; hail can damage or destroy crops; and dense fog can make travel impossible.

Too little water results in drought. In areas of the country where there has been high population growth, there are usually water shortage and safety problems. There is not enough water for residents, businesses, and industrial production. Urban areas with a population stress on the water supply must either divert water from less populated areas or build reservoirs to hold water. Although Watauga Lake is a recreation area, it also serves as a reservoir for the Tri-Cities during times of drought (http://www.wataugalaketennessee.com).

When water supplies are provided through a government or company, there are possible safety issues from chemicals, bacteria, and other pollutants. There is a strict process used to make sure your water is clean and safe.

Today many people drink bottled water. The trend began with a French company called Perrier (http://www.perrier.com).  Their water comes from a natural spring and is distributed worldwide. Soon, other companies began selling bottled water and the business expanded. Many people who live in cities drink water that has been treated with chlorine and fluoride. Neither chemical makes the water taste good, so that helped the bottled water businesses grow. People keep bottled water on hand because of convenience, as a safety precaution, and habit. Now you can buy exotically flavored water, plain drinking water, and distilled water. Unfortunately, dishonest businesses have also sprung up, which sell tap water, polluted water, and water in plastic that leaches chemicals into the product.

Health professionals are looking at bottled water. A growing percentage of those professionals are recommending that people skip bottled water, but there are times when that may not be possible. If you are traveling, out shopping, working in the yard, or at work, bottled water may be the safest, most reliable way to keep hydrated.

There is a chemical in many plastic bottles called bisphenol A, which is linked to multiple human health problems (http://www.bisphenol-a.org/human/). Ongoing research is not conclusive. Some research shows most people have significant levels of this chemical in their bodies, and health care professionals warn to limit exposure to it. The recommendations include:

• using glass baby bottles and dishes;
• don't microwave food in plastic containers, tossing out old, scratched plastic dishes and containers;
• don't wash plastic dishes in the dishwasher or use strong detergents, which can speed up wear and tear;
• avoid canned food and drinks with an inside plastic coating; and
• avoid using plastic wraps; some contain bisphenol A, though certain brands don't, so check the brand if you use plastic wraps (http://www.saranbrands.com/faq.asp#1)

(For more information: http://www.seattlepi.com/local/326907_plastic09.html)

There are also environmental concerns about plastic bottles. Plastic is a petroleum based product and uses valuable natural resources. Earth911 gives these statistics:

• Americans buy an estimated 29.8 billion plastic water bottles every year.
• Nearly eight out of every 10 bottles will end up in a landfill.
• It is estimated that the production of plastics accounts for four percent of the energy consumption in the U.S.
• HDPE and PET bottles (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plastic_bottle) showed the highest recycling rates of any plastic bottles types, at 27.1 and 23.1 percent, respectively.
• Less than one percent of all plastic is recycled. Therefore, almost all plastics are incinerated or end up in a landfill.
• Recycling a single plastic bottle can conserve enough energy to light a 60-watt light bulb for up to six hours.
• Recycled plastic bottles can be made into products such as clothing, carpeting, detergent bottles and lumber for outdoor decking.
• More than 80 percent of U.S. households have access to a plastics recycling program through curbside or community drop-off centers.
• Producing new plastic products from recycled materials uses two-thirds less energy than required to make products from raw (virgin) materials. It also reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

(For more information: http://earth911.com/recycling/plastic/plastic-bottles/facts-about-plastic-bottles/)

There are a few easy and inexpensive ways to have tasty, clean water available. First, make sure your tap water is safe and tastes good. You should have your water tested if you are on a well system or check reliable reports from your water provider. Second, consider buying a water filtering system. A quick internet search can provide products and prices. A pitcher with filter can cost as little as $20 and replacement filters are $16 for a three-pack. A faucet filtration system can cost less than $30 and replacement filters cost $20 for a two-pack. A home filtration system can start at $1,000. Third, buy reusable bottles and fill them with your tap or filtered water. A set of five bottles cost less than $20. In the long run, you’ll save money and know your "bottled water" is both safe and tasty.

Additionally, Americans drink a lot of soda. That adds up in money and environmental damage. Did you know you can buy soda machines? You use your water with carbonation and flavorings, and you can control the amount of sugar in the drinks. The initial investment can be as little as $80. There are several products available:

• SodaStream (http://www.sodastreamusa.com/)
• Soda Parts (http://www.sodaparts.com/)

Alternatives to bottled water and soda are safer, are environmentally responsible, and save money. If you choose to use an alternative, recycle those old, used plastic bottles. Take them to waste collection and put them in the plastic recycling container.

 

© 2011, Katherine B. Hegemann