money-saving ideas

Save Paper, Save Money by Downloading Coupons to your iPhone or iPod

jplatt — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 08:00:00 -0400

Looking for a way to save money but trying to avoid using all of those annoying paper coupons?

Try CouponSherpa, a new app for the iPhone or iPod Touch that downloads coupons to your device. Once you have the coupons, you can either just show the image on your screen to the cashier or let them scan the accompanying bar code on the screen. Either way, you save money, and you avoid using any paper.

(Of course, you're still using electricity, so you have to weigh that out, but you're not generating waste around you, so that's more efficient than paper coupons.)

CouponSherpa gets your location from your iPhone or iPod, then comes up with a list of coupons for stores in your area. In my test, that "area" seemed to be pretty broad. Some of the retailers that came up don't have stores within 50 miles of me. But others will work just fine.

And tragically, there are no grocery coupons quite yet, since the coupons are from merchants, not from manufacturers. This would be a great tool for grocery shopping, but for now, that will have to wait.

“We know that paper coupons will not be completely replaced, but providing consumers and retailers with an outlet for mobile coupons is a positive start towards reducing the waste created by the mountains of mail we all receive,” said Luke Knowles, who created Coupon Sherpa with his brother Jesse Knowles. “In the future, an increasing amount of coupons will be presented on mobile devices, and that will be great for the environment.”

CouponSherpha is free until Earth Day -- just one more day! -- so download it now and see how much money and paper it can help you to save.

Do you have other favorite "green" apps for your iPhone? Share them with us here!

HP Offering Free 'Green IT for Dummies' Guide

jplatt — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 08:00:00 -0400

Studies have shown that companies can decrease their IT costs by embracing "green IT" techniques, all while increasing their IT power.

Do you think your company might benefit from green IT? If so, then HP has something for you: a free, limited edition "Green IT for Dummies" pocket book.

Created as an introduction to help organizations go green, the guide offers "simple and straight-forward ideas on how to reduce the environmental impact of IT systems and harness the power of IT to reduce the wider environmental impacts of climate change in society"

If order to get your free book, you need to answer two brief questions on HP's website:

a) Does your company have a specific Green IT plan?
b) Which function is responsible for achieving that?

Okay, so this is basically a sales tool to get you to buy HP's services, but hey, free is free. So if your company would benefit from going greener, answer those questions and get your free book. You never know, you might learn something.

AT&T's U-verse TV Gets Green Certification

jplatt — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 09:00:00 -0500

Subscribers to AT&T's U-verse digital TV service got good news this week: all of AT&T's set-top boxes (the devices that empower the Internet-based TV service) exceed the energy requirements of the U.S.'s ENERGY STAR program, meaning they use less electricity than competing products and therefore save subscribers a few bucks a year.

The news comes with the announcement that all new U-verse set-top boxes will officially carry the ENERGY STAR logo.

According to AT&T, the fact that they're providing TV services over Internet lines makes the service much more energy-efficient:

"Because of the inherent benefits of advanced Internet Protocol (IP) technology, U-verse TV customers IP-based set-top boxes are more energy-efficient than other digital set-top boxes. AT&T U-verse receivers conform to energy efficiency requirements that are 36 percent more stringent than cable set-top box requirements. The improved efficiency is achieved, in part, because IP receivers don’t have tuners."

So far, only DirecTV set-top boxes share AT&T's ENERGY STAR distinction. Now if only we can get more cable companies into the act.

The Best Christmas Gift of All: Rechargeable Batteries

jplatt — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 09:00:00 -0500

Looking through this week's Rite Aid flyer, I was shocked to see not two, not three, but four different listings for disposable batteries -- including one "mega pack" of 16 AAs.

I know it's Christmas time, which means a lot of new toys that run on batteries, but isn't it time we made the switch to rechargeables?

Even better, how about we use this season to help everyone make the switch?

Rechargeable batteries obviously cost more than regular batteries. You need to buy a charger too, so the initial cost can be quite high (higher than a "mega pack," anyway). But the savings really add up in the long-run. Rechargeable batteries have longer life spans than disposables, so they ultimately cost less than having to buy new batteries every few weeks or months.

Disposable batteries are also a terrible pollutant when they aren't recycled properly -- and you can rest assured that most disposable batteries just end up in the trash, where they leach chemicals into the ground and water tables.

So consider this gift for yourself and your loved ones: a battery charger and a few packs of rechargeable batteries. Try to pick a charger that will handle multiple sizes of batteries, as well as the two main kinds of rechargeables, Ni-MH and Li-Ion. Give multiple types of batteries, too -- sizes and kinds, so your recipient can use them in a wide variety of devices.

If we really commit to this, we can totally phase out disposable batteries in a year or two. That's just as easy as our recent change to CFLs.

So give it a shot. Isn't it about time?

Top 10 Things to Ask When Buying 'Green' Electronics

jplatt — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 09:00:00 -0500

Buying electronics is a chore. Picking the right device takes time, research, and money.

Unfortunately, buying green electronics can require even more time and research, and sometimes a little bit more money. But the rewards for the planet are well worth it, and you just might enjoy your gadgets a bit more knowing you made a right choice for the environment. '

With that in mind, here are 10 ideas to take into consideration when buying electronics to help you make the greenest choice.

10. Is it ENERGY STAR rated? This is one of the easiest ways to make sure your device is eco-friendly. ENERGY STAR devices use less energy than competing products, so look for the ENERGY STAR logo. If it's not there, you might want to keep looking.

9. How easily can it be recycled? The more complex the device, the harder it is to recycle. You also want to look at what chemicals and materials are used; some are more toxic than others.

8. Is it responsibly manufactured? Does the manufacturer have a good eco-record?

7. How long will it last? If your new device won't last a few years, or more, is it worth buying?

6. Are the manufacturers' green claims independently certified? There are dozens of organizations -- too many to list here -- that test and verify products, making sure they are truly green. Certified products will have an official logo on the package, so look for them and ask what they mean.

5. Is the packaging recyclable, made from recycled materials, or at the very least, kept to a minimum amount?

4. Do you need it? Can your old tech's lifespan be extended, or can it be made greener? Let's face it, you don't need every new device. Keeping an old product in use for a longer period of time is almost always the greenest option.

3. How eco-responsible is the retailer? Do they offer take-backs of old devices? Do they take efforts to green their supply chain? Do they use eco-friendly building materials? Look the company up; don't do business with companies that don't support the environment.

2. Is the green value worth the price? In other words, don't spend $1,000 extra to save $500 in energy costs over the life of the product.

1. Is it the greenest option available, or can you do even better? Okay, so there's always just a little bit more research you can do. But trust me, it will be worth it.

Green Tech on Time Magazine's 50 Best Inventions of 2008

jplatt — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 10:31:24 -0400

Okay, there are still two months left to go on 2008, but we've already seen some incredible innovations hit the the market this year. Time Magazine has gone ahead and picked its "50 Best Inventions of 2008," and several green technologies and devices are on the list.

The list includes three different electric and hybrid vehicles. The luxury Tesla Roadster clocks in at number 2, while the forthcoming Chevy Volt ranks at number 7. Much further down the list was another concept vehicle, the Aptera Electric Car, at number 46.

Speaking of green transportation, Montreal's public bike rental system ranked number 19. This solar-powered, high-tech innovation is a great way to inspire local bike-riding and cutting greenhouse gases.It's time for this to take hold in other cities around the world.

Biofuel ranks high at number 11, but it's not the corn-based ethanol you can buy now. Time looked at algae-based biofuel -- currently being tested in labs around the country -- and found it to be good.

Another power source, Nanosolar's thin-film solar panels, came in at number 25. A prototype biomechanical energy harvester (a device you wear that collects the energy from your movements) ranked 33, while a flying wind turbine from Sky Windpower followed at number 35.

Innovative smog-eating cememt, which just hit the market from Italcementi, came in at number 37. A great idea, and I hope we hear more about it in the coming year.

An eco-friendly fridge that Albert Einstein invented in 1930 -- and which Oxford University scientists recreated this year -- hit the list at a not-too-chilly 31. Sadly, this hasn't been commercialized yet.

While not exactly tech you can use, the Global Seed Vault came in at number 6 on Time's list. But it's still an important innovation.

And while not technology at all, the Vatican's new 7 deadly sins -- including polluting -- made the list at number 40. See, pollution is evil!

Five Green Devices Every Home Should Have

jplatt — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 09:44:18 -0400

You don't have to install huge solar panels on your home or drive a hybrid vehicle to go green. Sometimes, the best steps to take are the littlest ones. With that in mind, here are five green devices that should be in every home, all of which are easy to find, and none of which will break the bank.

1. A battery charger. Too many of our devices and tools still need batteries, which end up in landfills and leach toxic chemicals into the ground. Stop the cycle by making the switch to rechargeable batteries. They'll save you money, reduce your waste, and make a huge difference.

2. A solar-powered calculator. Why use batteries at all if you can choose a device that doesn't need them?

3. A solar-powered charger. For the devices that don't take your conventional AA batteries, try picking up a solar charger. You can use the device to charge your cell phone, MP3 player and other portable devices. Several are on the market, with prices starting under $100.

4. Solar-powered LED flashlights. These great new devices use both solar cells for power and low-energy LED bulbs to provide bright light. I picked one up at my local drug store last week for 15 bucks, and it's the best buy I've made in a long time.

5. An ENERGY STAR-qualified fill-in-the-blank. Just about any appliance you want to buy comes in two flavors: an energy hog, and an energy-efficient version. Look for that ENERGY STAR logo whenever you buy an appliance or piece of electronics. You'll use at least 25% less energy, which will save you plenty of green.

What other green devices do you think everyone should embrace? Post your ideas here.

New Rechargeable Battery Plugs Into Your Computer

jplatt — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 09:00:00 -0400

Have you already made the switch to recycleable batteries? Good, we knew that you did. We were just checking.

But here's another question: are you getting tired of carrying a battery charger with you when you travel, or searching for your charger when you need it every few months?

Moixa Energy has a solution. Their new USBCELL rechargeable batteries come with what you might call a pop top -- one end of the battery swivels off to reveal a USB plug. Just hook it into any USB port on a PC or laptop and your computer does the work of recharging the battery!

According to a recent article at GreentechMedia, there is a small cost to pay for this convenience: the USB plug takes up space that would normally hold power. As a result, the USBCELL holds 1300-1500 milliamp hours, as opposed to the 2500 in a regular nickel metal hydride battery.

Oh, one other possible inconvenience: USBCELL comes with a bit of software that could, depending on how it is configured by the manufacturer, pop up ads or energy-saving tips on your PC every time you plug the battery in.

So far, Moixa's batteries are only available in AA size. They ship from the UK, and run £10.99 for a set of 2 batteries (with delivery, that translates to $20). You can also get a "gift set" of 20 batteries for about $165.

Track Your Energy Use by the Second with The Energy Detective

jplatt — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 10:48:00 -0400

How much electricity do you use when you turn on a light? When you're watching TV? When you wash your dishes? How about if you're doing all three at once?

The Energy Detective ("TED" for short) from Energy, Inc., can answer these questions, helping you not only to see how much electricity you are using in your house at any given moment, but also to predict the size of your monthly electric bill.

Once hooked up, TED monitors your electricity usage, with just a two-second real-time delay. It also tracks your monthly usage, and calculates the exact amount you are spending on your electricity.

The basic TED unit costs $139.95 (more advanced models run up to $209.95) and can be installed in 10-15 minutes ("by an experienced homeowner or qualified electrician"). You can also order additional software called Footprints ($44.95) which allows you to track your usage on your PC.

So why install a TED? An energy monitor like this allows you to see exactly how much juice your house is using. Hook it up, and then you can walk around your house to see how much difference your TV makes, or find the "phantom loads" of so-called "vampire devices," the ones that keep using energy even though you think they are "off." The company says a well-aware homeowner can use the information from TED to make the device pay for itself in a matter of months.

5 Ways to Green Your PC -- Without Spending a Penny

jplatt — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:25:46 -0400

How many hours a day do you spend on your PC? Two? Four? Eight? Twelve? (Okay, I'm not quite that bad, but I do average about 8 hours a day.)

PCs -- especially desktops -- can use a fair amount of electricity, even more so when you start adding on extra devices. Newer PCs tend to be more energy-efficient, but you don't need to buy a new PC just to save a few dollars on electricity. There are a few things you can do that won't cost you more than a few seconds of your time...

1. Let it sleep -- As you've probably heard by now, a screensaver doesn't really save your computer from using any energy when it's not in use. Instead, go into your control panels and select "power options." Here, you can set an amount of time when your monitor or your entire PC will shut down if it's not in use. Try 10-15 minutes. That should do it.

You can also install a free program called Edison which can help to manage your PC's energy needs even more.

(BTW, if you're going to be away from your desk for more than 15 minutes, it's probably best to just turn your computer off.)

2. Let it breathe -- Look at the location of your computer. Is there enough room around it for air to flow freely? Computers burn hot, and most still need internal fans to cool them off. The more circulation there is around your computer, the less heat it will retain, and the less your fan will need to run. Keep your computer cool and it will keep your energy bill a bit lower.

3. Turn things off -- Too often our scanners, printers and other peripherals stay on for hours and hours when we're not using them. They don't need to be on, so turn them off.

4. Really turn things off -- Of course, many devices keep using electricity even though they are "off." Standby mode might make a device respond faster when it's needed, but it keeps sucking in electricity until that time. If you only use your scanner or printer occassionally, totally unplug them or turn off your surge protector until you need them.

5. Run anti-spyware programs often -- No matter how safe you think you are, evil little programs have a tendency to install themselves on your PC when you're not looking. The worst of the malware bunch can turn your computer into a zombie, using its memory to send out malicious spam emails without your knowledge. A busy piece of malware can keep your PC hopping for hours on end. Put a stop to them by finding and removing the programs.

There you go! Hopefully these simple tips will save you a little bit of energy and help you go a bit greener without having to buy a new computer first.