Home Improvements
Read the fine print. To lower monthly bills, home in on cell and cable charges. Scrutinize both bills for services you don't use and cancel 'em.
Water it down. Don't let the water run while scrubbing pots or brushing your teeth and save two gallons a minute.
Lighten up. Use compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs: They last years longer and use 70 percent less electricity than traditional bulbs. (Note: If broken, CFL bulbs can release mercury -- a health hazard for babies. Visit epa.gov for cleanup info.)
Flip the switch. One of the biggest drains of electricity is a computer that's left on 24/7. After you surf babytalk.com tonight, turn off that laptop.
Cool it. Most of the energy used in washing clothes goes toward heating the water. One Babytalk staffer has done all her laundry with cold water for years and has never noticed a difference -- and that's minus the cold-water detergents that recently hit shelves.
