Energy Conservation Tips

If you want to conserve energy and help to ensure our way of life, for now and far into the future, there are some small steps that you can take to save energy and help protect and prolong our natural resources.

As we should all know by now, the way we are consuming our natural resources cannot continue unabated forever. Oil and gas prices continue to rise along with worldwide demand. Everyone is feeling the pinch, and fear and anxiety over possible shortages has gripped the nation as news of dwindling supplies spread.

The best solution to the problem is to conserve, recycle, and to develop alternative sources of energy. The conservation of what we already have is becoming more and more necessary and the development of alternative energy sources has to become a reality if we are to maintain our way of life.

Some simple ways to conserve energy are listed below but there are many other ways that you can participate and make a difference.

• Drive less and when you can, either walk, ride a bike, or take public transportation. Start a carpool with co-workers, neighbors, and friends.
• When you go shopping, whether to the grocery store, mall, or other locations, make a travel plan so you can make your stops in order without having to back track.
• Keep your car or truck tuned up, inflate your tires to the proper levels, and don't carry unnecessary weighty objects in your car.
• Recycle, especially plastic, paper, cardboard, aluminum and other metals, glass, oil, and petroleum based products.
• Insulate your home and calk around windows and doors.
• Manage electricity usage by turning off lights when you leave a room and unplugging appliances when they are not in use.
• Install energy saving light bulbs, electrical surge capacitors and electricity storage and regulating devices.
• Dress appropriately while indoors. Put on a sweater or heavier clothing if you get cold instead of turning on the heat.
• Open doors and windows when it gets hot, or sit on the patio or under a tree to stay cool.
• If you have air conditioning, keep the unit serviced and only use it when you absolutely have to. If you have ceiling fans, use them instead.
• Look to take vacations that keep you close to home and spend your weekends in the garden or relaxing around the house.

If everyone gets involved by conserving even the smallest amounts of energy on a daily basis, we will be able to prolong and maintain an abundance of natural resouces which will, in turn, ensure a strong and vibrant way of life for future generations.

Finance Topic of the Month: Bank Failures