Eco-Chic Lifestyle Change Week 3: Weekly Update

http://www.allconnect.com/blog/how-to-save-money-on-your-next-water-bill/     

     This week my SMART goal was to save water.  The way I measured it was by taking five minute showers, and washing dishes with less water by filling up a sink with warm water and using that.  

     It was a success for the most part except for a few showers.  Our house is really cold, like fifty five degrees, so I caught myself staying in the shower longer to warm up a few times.  But when I set my mind to it, a five minute shower is very generous, plenty of time to do what needs to be done.  We don't realize how much time goes by sometimes unless we are conciously thinking about it.  

    Washing dishes was a success.  Instead of running water the whole time and rinsing every dish individually, I would run a batch of clean, hot water with soap and then rinse all of my dishes in that.  It worked even better when I let them soak for awhile.  I loved the feeling of knowing I was saving water by doing something that worked better than it would if I had used more water.  Funny! 

    This week I learned that being eco-friendly is more about creativity than it is about convenience.  It is a lot of fun to take on a challenge when you are willing to explore options and try them out.  And my roommates were pretty impressed by my taking a five minute shower, it was kind of made into a game, who can take the quickest showers?! 
     You might be wondering how my goal this week pertains to my lifestyle change which is to use less electricity.  In our house we have a dishwasher.  Not only does it use a lot of water, but also a lot of energy to run.  By handwashing dishes, we are saving energy and money.

    There are no limits on ways in which we can help the environment. I know I have barely touched the surface and am excited to try more things in order to save energy and money.