Money Saving Monday

This week's tips:

1.  Install devices on showers to turn water off temporarily.   We found our water bill to be sky rocketing.  Last year my husband installed some handy dandy little devices in our showers so that we can take "military" showers.  We turn on the water and get wet.  Then we push the little button or turn the knob and the water turns off.  Time to soap up without all that water just running down the drain.  Then we push the button or turn the knob and the water comes back on and it's still adjusted to the temperature we like.  Rinse off, and our shower is completed having used at least half the amount of water normally used.  (Now I have to admit--in the winter I do not like "military" showers.  Brrrr...Cold.  I like the warm water running on me constantly.)  I don't know how much these little devices cost, but it's not much.  It saved us money immediately.

Downstairs shower head with button turn off switch.

Upstairs shower with the turn knob.

 2.  Buy a water saving toilet.  This might not help you as much as it did us.  We live in a house that is 100 years old.  The upstairs bathroom had an antique toilet that probably flushed 4 to 5 gallons per flush.  When there are nine people in the house flushing the toilet, the water adds up quickly.  I loved that old toilet.  It added to the character of our house, but we finally decided it had to go.  I was kinda sad.  We figured the new toilet would pay for itself within a year with the amount it would save us on water.  We were correct.  The new toilet flushes 1.3 to 1.6 gallons of water per flush.  Our water bill immediately dropped about $15-$20 per month. 

Out with the old.

In with the new.