Monday, April 28, 2008

Common Cents

It took me 36 years to realize that if I turn off my lights instead of leaving them on that I save money. If I leave them on, it is like throwing money away. It is such a simple idea. My dad has been saying this to me since I was probably three years old. I heard him but I couldn't really grasp it until my husband and I created a budget. I tried to lower our electricity bills each month and it was a challenge. But, it helped me digest this simple idea.

Later this evening, I remembered that I had left the kids in the basement and I didn' t turn anything off. I came upstairs and left the kids downstairs by themselves to play. Usually they come up and leave everything on. TV, radio and all of the lights. But, to my surprise, everything was turned off. Everything! I was in complete shock. I constantly sound just like my dad. "Turn off the lights when you leave a room." Maybe it won't take my kids 31 years to understand why.


This is me at age 2 or 3. Apparently my parents were saving some money by cutting my hair at home.


7 comments:

carrie said...

I save so much cash by cutting the kids hair at home! It is ridiculous. Thankfully, they aren't old enough to care (too much, my oldest is starting to complain) yet!

And you are spot-on about the lightbulbs! :)

Don Mills Diva said...

Oh my goodness - look at your chubby lil cheeks!

Stephanie said...

Adorable picture! Thanks for stopping by my blog. I enjoyed reading yours, too! (and don't feel bad, my parents did some home hair-cuts with me as well. I think it was just the thing to do!)

Rhea said...

Cute haircut! My mom used to cut my bangs are home...the chili bowl haircut. Scary. I shudder remembering. You were a cutie though!

I'm so impressed your kids turned things off. I sound like a broken record saying that daily. My husband can't turn off a light or a TV to save his life. He was brought up very extravagent and spoiled...they never turn off lights in their house or TVs. I try to save money and just like conserving where I can...plus I hate being wasteful!!

Anyway, just wanted to say, I hear ya!!

Jessica said...

You are going to think I am a horrible non-earthy friendly person....I promise I am not and I try hard to make good choices. BUT, I do have a pet peeve with light "turning off." My husband's mother trained him so well that I cannot tell you how many times I am standing in the dark as my husband exits the room. Also, I completely understand not having every light on in the house but I hate coming home in the late evening to a dark dark house. But my lovely spouse refuses to keep a front light on. AH! Ok, I promise I recycle, bring my bags to the grocery store for reuse, I try and limit our water use...I just would love to be able to leave the room and return 30 secs. later and be able to see what I was working on.

Indy said...

Jessica, I agree. You also have to be comfortable in your house. I leave a light on for safety reasons. I also leave them on for comfort. You can always take things like this too far.

OHmommy said...

Cute cut!!!

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