Have a Green Thanksgiving Holiday

Yea! Turkey, family, friends and pie — oh my! I do hope all of you are having a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday, but just because it's a holiday doesn't mean I don't have some green tips for you.

I know that energy conservation and being green is hard to keep in mind when your house is filled with relatives, there's food to prepare, kids to corral and merriment to be had, but it has to be done, for the sake of our planet. Um.. yeah, no pressure.

Don't worry it's easy. You can do simple things like carpooling with relatives or friends when going to Thanksgiving dinner, bring your own re-usable plastic containers for leftovers instead of using foil or making no bake dishes so the only energy being used is the whirling power of the spatula in your hand.

For more easy green holiday tips read Don't Let Thanksgiving Ruin Your Carbon Diet.

Saving Money Doesn't Necessarily Mean Spending Money

Thought I would impart a quick tip on a relatively easy way to save money without having to... well spend a bunch of money. If you're like many Americans suffocated by credit card debt, there are two simple and immediate solutions that can save you money.

First, contact your current credit card company and negotiate an interest rate decrease. Be prepared to do some leg work and don't give up easily without speaking to a supervisor first. Faced with the possibility of losing your business to a lower interest credit card, credit card companies will be more inclined to listen.

If resistant, then consider transferring your higher rate balances to a new card with a low intro APR. This will allow you to focus on making small, manageable payments every month without being sucked into the vacuum of finance charges. According to an article from MSNBC, it's entirely possible to save up to $730 if you transfer a $2,000 balance from an 18-percent card to an 8.25-percent card and then pay off your balance at a rate of $50 a month. Now the math is a rough estimate that could change depending on many variables, but it does illustrate that a low interest rate credit card goes a long way in helping shed some of that pesky credit card debt and save money in the process.

Reviews You Can Use

Ever needed to try a new service that you didn't know anything about? There can be a lot of unease and trepidation about spending your money with a business that you're not familiar with. I mean, what if they don't do a good job, or if something of yours is damaged because of something they overlooked?

This can happen with mechanics, home repair, electronics — the list goes on and on, really. Most often, we try to find friends, family or acquaintances who can recommend a good service. But what if nobody you know is able to help?

Lucky for us, there are services available that can help us connect to some great recommendations. Whether you need to find a contractor to work on your roof or paint your home, or you need a place to take a date for a night on the town, there are services that can give you all the info you need. Here are some of the review services you can find on WhiteFence:

• Angie's List is a word-of-mouth network designed to let consumers see reviews from other consumers about different services. It's especially useful for local service companies that you might not know about. What better way to find out about new services than from someone who's recently used it?
• Zagat is a service that can send you updates through your cell phone about local restaurants, nightlife, hotels and other attractions in your area. Perfect for someone on the go.

All of these services can be found in the Reviews You Can Use section on WhiteFence. If you'd like to find out about more places in your area, or just need to brush up on some local entertainment, it's definitely worth looking into.

All the Entertainment You Need at Home

We've all been there. Waiting in line to go to the movies after having spent several minutes parking. Then, you make your way into the crowded dark theater and end up getting bubble gum and popcorn all over your feet before sitting behind a guy that's taller than Gulliver. You start to wonder if maybe things would be better off at home on the couch.

With the advent of online shopping, it's now possible to get almost anything delivered straight to your doorstep. Did you know that it was even possible to get entertainment services like movies and games online, all from the convenience of your home. What's more, you can even find all of these entertainment services online with WhiteFence. Here are some of the services to choose from:

• Movies. Rent your movies from home! Who needs to go to a store when you can subscribe to a movie rental service? With some rental subscriptions, you can even stream your movie rentals online for no additional charge. The perfect addition to your living room for movie buffs.
  
• Games. Whether you're looking for the next blockbuster video game, or simply like playing word games on your PC, you can find a gaming service that keeps you entertained at a reasonable cost. For gaming aficionados like myself, this is a must-have.
• Music. Let's be honest- it's becoming more and more appealing to purchase music online and download straight to your PC than it is to go out and get a CD these days. With the right music subscription, you can download all kinds of songs from your favorite artists, and listen to tunes at your heart's content.
• Newspapers. Need to do that morning crossword puzzle to unwind? You can get a subscription to your favorite newspaper, delivered straight to you. There's something about holding the news in your hands that is still special in today's world.
  
• Magazines. No matter what your interest, you can find a magazine devoted to it. There are multiple magazine services available that cover a wide array of topics such as sports, fashion and even entertainment. If you're looking for some reading about your favorite subject, getting a magazine subscription online might do just the trick.

It's easier than ever to make your home a haven of excellent entertainment, without leaving it and going through the hassle of all the browsing and waiting in line. All of these services are available at your fingertips, at a moment's notice on WhiteFence.

Need to Lower Your Bills?

If you're like me, then trying to navigate your way through the month's stack of bills is not something that you look forward to. It's no secret that prices are rising as we get closer to the summer, and people are bound to be searching for ways to cut costs.

Fortunately, WhiteFence.com has recently added a section for all of you that are looking for lower bills on home services, utilities and more. The Lower My Bills page is a helpful resource that provides tips for households that need to reduce what they are spending each month on their bills.

The tips cover everything from bundling your services all the way through energy conservation as a way of saving money on electricity bills. There is also a page devoted to lowering credit card bills through credit card consolidation, where multiple credit cards can be applied to one card with just one interest rate, simplifying the bill paying process.

To get started and lower your bills today, read more at WhiteFence.

Tips for Families Looking to Cut Costs

Families across the country are hurting—big time. I almost choked when I passed the gas pumps on the way to work this morning. I wanted to share an article I just published over at EnergyBabble, since the price for all our necessities seem to be on a stairway to heaven. I put together some information on our sites and additional resources that can help families budget a little better, and hopefully sleep a little better as well. Hope this helps...

Here is a brief blurb, and you can read more about these money saving tips over at Energy Babble.com:

Families are hit the hardest. Single folks like myself (though being a single father isn't cost effective) still feel the weight of rising utilities like everyone else, but we are fortunate to not be providing for a family of five or more.  So again, I am going to list a few links and resources—some our sites, some outside resources—to help families find easy and efficient ways to save money.

WhiteFence Knowledge Centers

As a consumer trying to make an informed decision about essential home services, sometimes it can be a little daunting if you don't quite have all the facts. For instance, do you know about the coming digital transition for television? Do you know the differences between cable television and satellite television?

If you don't know about those things, there's no need to worry, because WhiteFence has Knowledge Centers about these very subjects. Recent posts at EnergyBabble and CommJunkie both highlight some of the different Knowledge Centers that are available for home service shoppers, in order to help educate about some of the lesser-known details that aren't always easy to come across.

• Energy Knowledge Centers
  
For the green, gas and electricity Knowledge Centers.


• Communication Knowledge Centers
  
Knowledge Centers having to do with high-speed Internet, home phone and television.

Green Gab

Amber at EnviroMojo recently posted an article about eating earth-friendly when you're out and about. Like CommJunkie and EnergyBabble, EnviroMojo is a new WhiteFence blog. However, it is devoted solely to all things green. The topics range from green energy to living green at home and abroad.

The recent article focuses on the Certified Green Restaurant™ Guide provided by the Green Restaurant Association^SM, "a national non-profit organization that is helping the restaurant industry to become more environmentally sustainable". The great thing about this guide is that it gives you tips on where to eat and what to look for when trying to find a green restaurant.

To get more information about the Certified Green Restaurant™ Guide, be sure to read about it over at EnviroMojo, your home for anything green.

Your Guide to Home Energy Conservation

Rising energy prices is a frightening prospect for hard working families across the United States, and trying to strike a balance between energy efficiency, protecting the environment and managing the costs of energy in your home is a daunting task. In fact, it's quite common to feel overwhelmed by a wall of information surrounding energy costs and the fight against global climate change.

In the spirit of affordable earth-friendly (and wallet-friendly) practices, we've compiled a list of energy conservation resources and tips to help ease the stress and worry as the hotter summer months approach. Conserving energy and saving money can go hand-in-hand with the idea that families can participate in an eco-friendly America, and reduce wear and tear on your finances along the way.

Simple Conservation Tips at Home

Conserving at home is far simpler than you probably imagined. Your cleaning, eating and energy habits, really just everything you encounter and do on a "typical" day, all contribute to increasing both your impact on the ecosystem, but also the costs of operating a comfortable home.

With tips to cleaning with baking soda and water to changing out your traditional light bulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs), there is a plethora of great ways to be energy conscious in your daily habits. Here are just a few:

• CFLs alone can use up to 75 percent less energy than traditional light bulbs - meaning simply by switching all your light bulbs in your house, you can save time and money.
• Look into purchasing a programmable thermostat. According to U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Web site, installing and using these types of thermostats in your home can help you save as much as 10 percent a year on your heating and cooling bills.
• Examine your water heater's settings. Many water heaters' factory settings are higher than they need to be. Setting your water heater to 120°F will not only be hot enough to provide comfortable water, but also save you money in the long run. You can visit the EERE Web site for other water heater tips.
  
• Be energy conscious in your everyday life! Just remembering to shut off lights as you leave is one little thing you can do every day to conserve.

Here are some additional tips on going green at home from our green blog at EnviroMojo.com

Energy Efficient Appliances at Home

ENERGY STAR^® is a fantastic venture between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the DOE to help families save literally billions of dollars in annual energy costs. Look for the ENERGY STAR^® logo on your home appliances, with all approved appliances following strict energy efficiency standards set by the DOE and EPA. In 2007 alone, people across the country helped reduce greenhouse gas emissions equal to 27 million cars and save $16 billion with ENERGY STAR^® products.

For more information on energy efficient products, home improvement and more:

• ENERGY STAR^® Web site
• Green Guide to energy efficient appliances from GreenEnergyChoice.com.

Reducing Your Carbon Footprint

Many of the concerns over rising oil prices only increases the importance of renewable energy options to meet the growing demand for energy. The DOE has unveiled an ambitious goal to increase wind energy capacity to 20 percent by 2030, a phenomenal feet considering wind power accounts for 1 percent of our total energy capacity. The cost of renewable energy tends to be confusing information for families shopping for better electricity prices. In many states the costs of renewable energy are actually quite comparable to what you traditionally pay for non-renewable electricity.

For those of us in areas that do not have renewable energy options, Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) give you the ability to use your purchasing power to reduce the impact of daily energy consumption. Carbon dioxide accounts for 3/4 of global greenhouse gas emissions. A single REC represents one megawatt hour (MWh), or 1,000 kilowatt hours (kWh), of renewable electricity generated and delivered somewhere on the power grid. So your purchasing power not only replaces power generated from fossil fuels with 100 percent pollution-free renewable energy, but allows you to play a part in encouraging the development of renewable energy resources. Sites like GreenEnergyChoice.com allow you to calculate how many RECs you would need to effectively counteract your household energy usage.

The Value of a Home Energy Audit

The savings a professional energy audit can provide are substantial. With the summer months and higher energy costs steadily approaching, an energy audit can greatly improve your home's energy efficiency, helping to pinpoint air and water leaks, insulation quality and ensure your cooling and heating systems are working efficiently and properly. A professional auditor will inspect the structure and foundation, roof, HVAC and mechanicals, plumbing, and interior and exteriors, providing detailed information on areas that are lacking in proper insulation and efficiency standards.

If you decide a professional energy audit is not for you, there are still some simple ways to perform an audit yourself and help reduce your energy waste.

For more information on energy audits:

• Home Audit Can Save You Money from ElectricityTexas.com
• Home Energy Audits from ENERGY STAR^®

Additional Home Energy Conservation Resources from WhiteFence:

• EnergyBabble - News, tips and resources on electricity, natural gas, green energy, conservation and more.
• EnviroMojo - Expressing our love for Mother Earth with green news, tips and resources for the environmentalist in us all.
• GreenEnergyChoice Green Guide - Renewable energy information and resources, as well as the ability to purchase green energy and RECs.
• What is Green Energy Lens at Squidoo - Our dedicated study to the green energy phenomenon.
• WhiteFence Green - Our combined efforts as a company to offset the carbon impact of our daily business practices, and offer you additional ways to go green and save money.

Outside Resources

• 20 Percent Wind Energy by 2030
• Energy Conservation Wiki
• U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
• Texas State Energy Conservation Office
• Home Energy Conservation Tips - 10 Bright Ideas to Make Your Home Energy Efficient
• U.S. DOE - Your Home
• Do Something - Using the Power of the Internet to Help Young People Change the World
• Federal Energy Policy Act of 2005
• Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Get Into The Energy Conversation

So if you haven't had a chance to get in on the energy talk over at EnergyBabble, you might want to try it out. EnergyBabble is a new WhiteFence blog dedicated to giving you the scoop on energy and natural gas — and how that relates to you in your world. Definitely worth a place among your regularly visited websites.

EnergyBabble is often updated with new and exciting material. Just this morning Brett penned some thoughts about wind power and its place in the future of energy. Apparently, while wind power is growing in and around the country, significant changes need to take place in order to make it a more viable long term option for renewable energy. As of now, it only accounts for a small percentage of total energy. If you're interested in learning more about wind energy and would like to be a part of the energy conversation, be sure to read up on it at EnergyBabble.