All good things must come to an end

I've got to admit, I am the first to complain when you see Christmas decorations out before Halloween, Really? I'm not trying to rush the end of the year but it's time to face facts folks, the tax credits are coming to an end. If you have any home renovation plans in the works it's time to get a move on. The goal here is not to just save money on your bills, although that is a big motivator, but to also leave a little something for those kids we keep making and maybe help the world in the process.  So here is the lowdown on energy savings rebates...for the most part these rebates are for your main residence and not rental properties, the rebate is for 30% of the cost and depending on what you are renovating there may or may not be a limit. What a deal! On top of the government rebates you may be eligible for a little cash from Xcel and just when you thought it couldn't get any better Boulder County may be willing to give it up as well. So with a little research and sweat equity, they may be paying you to do the work! Now I am not suggesting that we all stop shaving our legs, sing kumbya and hug every tree in sight but let's face it, we could all be a little kinder to Momma Earth. So, even if you are not doing a major renovation isn't there something that you could do to give Momma a helping hand? Personally, I just can't bring myself to do the CFL's, let's face it girls, no one looks good under flourescent lighting. Here is what I'm doing...I'm reducing my consumption, no I am not going on a diet, I'm being more careful in  my purchases. It seems to me that by purchasing items with less packaging, than I am going to have less waste. Right? For example, I was buying Costco TP to save a little money, but when I stopped and thought about it, each roll of TP is individually wrapped! That just seems like a whole lot of plastic wrapping going into the landfills. Yesterday I was at the grocery store and picked up a carton of Land O'Lakes eggs, every egg is wrapped in plastic! While I appreciate their tenacity, I would rather have a broken egg than all that gunk in the landfill.  Since my daughter must have everything she eats smothered in orange cheese,  give me the block of Velveeta rather than those slices, each individually wrapped. The moral of my story; Let's stop and think what we are doing to Momma Earth BEFORE we get to the register.