Apparently, the Utah Assembly seems to think that if they pass a resolution denying global warming or global climate change based on one inconstancy between two different 600+ page reports written by 2 separate groups, then this denial will make an actual difference with what everyone else thinks.  Uhh, yea, I’m going to change my mind about how I feel about global warming based on something that some state I don’t live in has as a resolution.

As for what I really think… well I know there’s a lot of controversy surrounding what’s been said and determined.  So rather than fighting over the details, is it really going to hurt for us to conserve energy where ever we can?  I know that if I conserve electricity my bill will go down.  If I conserve gas by driving more, I’ll be healthier because I’ve been walking more and/or I’ll save money on gas.  With trying to pay off all of my bills before I turn 40, I can’t see how either of these options is going to hurt anything.  Neither will starting my own garden, whether it be container gardening or square foot gardening.  I save money and have more plants around that’ll absorb CO2.

Let’s face it, the whole thing with carbon offsets is bogus anyway.  There’s no way to track what’s actually being done, so why do we look up to those who buy these carbon offsets instead of using Ed Beagley, Jr as an example and making their homes truly ‘green.’  Just because they have the money doesn’t mean they should waste it instead of conserving our resources?

*edit, I just found this in my drafts dated 3/26.  I thought I published it, but I must have gotten sidetracked.

My tip is to start a ‘victory garden.’   You can do this even if you’re in an apartment.  Buy plants that work well in pots like tomatoes, and water them daily — I’ve tried this and it’s harder than it would seem here in Oklahoma, so I’m working on a way to keep everything watered.  I’ll be sure to share with you when I do.  You can also buy a herb window garden to get fresh basil and thyme for your recipes. Or you can plant the basil with your tomato plants, basil is a natural repellant for the bugs that like tomato plants.  Other plants that work well would include broccoli, and cauliflower.

And if you have a bit too much basil, cut a piece of it and stick it down the garbage disposal, leaving your kitchen smelling like basil instead of whatever it was that last went down the sink.

So this week, don’t let the idiots on Wall Street get you down, do some planning to see what vegetables you can have in your garden.  Since seeds are fairly cheap at the moment, you’ll save money and have help keeping food on the table this summer.

Now, the tip this week won’t save you money but it’ll get your tax return faster.

File your tax return online.  It’s similar to e-filing, and depending on how much you make, you can even be able to find a place to file them for free.  Go to the IRS website at http://irs.gov and click on the link on the lower left side that says “Free File”

You get any return faster, and you save the paper that would have gone toward printing your return and sending it off.

When you make your trips to the store, buy everything you are going to need for the week.

It’ll help the environment,

1. You won’t be using the gas to drive there again, not to mention the gas from driving around the parking lot looking for a spot.
2. Your refrigerator and freezer are more energy efficient when they are operating when mostly full.

it’ll help your cash flow:

1. It’s easier to resist the impulse items if you only see them once instead multiple times from each trip
2. You’ll save money on electricity with your fridge and freezer operating more efficiently.