As we celebrate Earth Day today, I am taking inventory of the things our family has done in the process of reducing our impact upon this earth. Let me say that I've made it my passion to reduce our family's energy consumption because I have a son in the military and I prefer to have him home protecting our land than defending oil fields somewhere else. So my goal is to stop using oil or energy produced from oil within the next five years. This is a gradual process and every step I take in that direction teaches me something new.

But I've found there are some added benefits from going green. Last year we changed one car to a Camry Hybrid. I waited until the larger hybrids came out because I through they would serve my needs better. This car is becoming a great marketing tool for my real estate business. Besides saving money by increasing my mileage by 50% from my previous car, it is also resulting in great conversations with my customers when I drive them to see properties.

The first question - is this car running? From that point on the questions start and we usually have a great time. It also allows me to promote green values for the home they are planning to buy. Even those stiff customers who some times have a problem communicating start asking question and next thing we're buddies. So my hybrid has become one of my marketing tools and that was an unexpected benefit.