Hi Diane and Bob

GREAT IDEAS...thanks for sharing those.  It is critically important that friends, realtors, brokers continue to share ideas on "SAVINGS".  We all need to be cognizant of small, medium and large ways we can save money, energy and our earth.

Here's a couple more that we have recently implemented:

Check above and below the doors in your home, do they seal tight? OR (like a couple of the doors we had in this foreclosure home we bought) can you see the weather clearly outside? From the top or bottom?  Buy doors that fit properly; watch for sales at local Home Depots, Lowes or Menards and for 159.00-198.00 depending on what type of door; you will be AMAZED at the energy savings both heat and cool that you will save. Perhaps a small piece of weather stripping is all you need to prevent the air pouring in on your feet. Thats even easier.

Here's another HUGE energy saver; and I am here to tell you over the past year we have witnessed substantial lowering of our electric bill; and as my father always referred to them as ("Communist Edison" LOL)  I, too like to pay them as little as possible. UNPLUG any and all appliances, stereos, tools, anything you can see when assessing your home.  UNPLUG these items while not in use and you will be SHOCKED (no pun intended) as to how much WHITE ENERGY you can save monthly equating to yearly. Now, I will tell you that if there is a television that is used all the time? NO ; I do not unplug and plug it in every time we use it; that is just not practical...HOWEVER, the toaster, kitchen-aid, etc that sits on the counter and is used minimally? YEP, unplug them. You have to assess your own home and calculate savings vs inconvenience of course. One toaster unplugged saving WHITE ENERGY can save over 10.00 a year in energy costs!!!!!

WHITE ENERGY is the energy that is used when something is plugged in and NOT being used; just sitting there plugged in...friends if something is plugged in? Energy is still being billed to you; NO JOKE.  With a world of electronics and gadgets we live in? This can be a HUGE savings for a modest home.  I have witnessed it in my home.

Lastly for today? Take pride in your homes Curb Appeal and at the same time? strategize what you plant to SHADE and PROTECT your home.  I live in Northern Illinois....stragecally planning ; and then planting trees, and bushes that shield my home from the elements (wind,snow,rain) can hugely keep my home warmer in the winter; and cooler in the summer (while being an awesome GREEN CONTRIBUTION to our EARTH)  There are a multitude of GREEN ITEMS that grow rather quickly; this is another HUGE energy saver, plus it beautifies your property AND is good for the environment.  HEY; this is TRULY a WIN-WIN-WIN one, isn't it?  LOL

Have a beautiful day; thanks for letting me add to your great ideas

Patti Puckett

Northern Illinois