We at Style at Home have set out to make you accountable to yourself – and your bottom line. Saving money is just one incentive for making these New Year’s resolutions. We think you’ll find our 10 resolutions improve your home and lifestyle, and will save you some money in the process.
1 "I vow to install a programmable thermostat."
- You can cut your home heating and cooling costs by about $180 this year alone!
- Cut your energy use, shrink your carbon footprint!
2 "I resolve to turn my kitchen into a deeper shade of green by cooking vegetarian meals on Meatless Mondays!"
- You’ll save money while expanding your cooking skills.
- You’ll shrink your carbon footprint.
- You’ll reduce your chance of cancer and heart disease.
3 "I’m going to grow my own herbs indoors on a sunny window ledge."
- You'll save money by avoiding supermarket herbs that spoil so quickly in the fridge
- There are proven health benefits of adding heart-smart antioxidants to home cooking (and reducing the need for extra fat and sodium).
- Live plants provide air-purifying benefits indoors.
4 "I promise to dodge drafts by weather-stripping doors and windows, filling holes in the wall, and/or trading lightweight sheers for heavier winter-friendly draperies in velvet or Ultrasuede."
- You'll cut energy costs.
- It will improve home comfort – and style!
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1 Comment
Sorry, I live in a country right now (Taiwan) that has this no-shoes in the house policy, a remanent of 50 years of Japanese occupation, and I do not agree with it. First of all, it means having a shoe closet or other place to put the shoes people take off and slippers for the visitors. This is almost impossible with the small spaces that are home here in space-challenged Taiwan. Having the shoes left randomly just inside the door or (even worse) outside the door is asthetically not pleasing. Second, the predominantly tile floors here are not only cold, but hard on feet that are either bare or minimally protected by slippers. Third, floor surfaces are meant to be walked on - that's why they're on the floor to begin with and not the the wall or ceiling. This includes carpets and other floor coverings. Yes, they will need to be cleaned and likely replaced sooner than if they were not walked on, however, why have them if they're too precious to use? This smacks of the same thinking that saves the "good" china, towels, cutlery, whatever, for only when company comes or some mythical time in the future when people good enough to appreciate such niceties will be present. Let me tell you that life is for living now, not saved for some unknown future. As to all the stuff coming into the house on people's shoes - first, have good mats both outside and inside the door and teach everyone to use both of them before coming into the house. Second, support any and all community and other efforts to clean up the environment - both natural and working - so that chemicals and other substances are not routinely encountered. This latter suggestion will also directly benefit air quality. A last reason why I'm against taking off my shoes - especially when I'm going to someone's house for an occasion, is a selfish one. I'd have given a lot of thought to what I'm wearing and my shoes are intergral part of how I will look. To have to take off said shoes and either go barefoot (or in stockings) is not a look that I consider to be acceptable - for myself or others.