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By D. Clay Hays "Going Green" - a phrase heard most every day now but what does it really mean? It likely means different things to each of you if, in fact, it means anything to you at all. And if not, well, there is still time for you to come around! Not to suggest you're wrong if Going Green is not at the top of your "To Do" list. On the contrary, reluctance is understandable given the confusion created by the daily bombardment of "suggestions” from experts. But with a little research into the subject, you may just find there are many things you can do, some of which really can save you money and improve your life. The media's obligatory focus on the more global aspect, better known as oil, often leads many to believe the only thing they can do is run out and buy a hybrid vehicle. The viability of which is in question, both in their true impact on fuel economy and your individual financial situation. My personal research - countless hours on the internet - revealed some simple and relatively inexpensive solutions, along with some rather startling revelations. The purveyors of the concept offer up quite an array of options; from as simple as switching to energy saving light bulbs to the aforementioned hybrid vehicle purchase. So, assuming you find yourself inclined to "come around", how do you know what changes are best for you? First and foremost, you should determine what you are financially able to do! Then I suggest concentrating on changing the things that can have a direct impact on your lifestyle, your finances and your interests. You may not save the world but if you manage to conserve enough to improve your own situation, you've likely made an impact on the over-all situation as well. And as the saying goes, "every little bit helps". We've done the bulb thing at my house, or rather we've started, and those money-saving little twisted wonders are expensive! Much more so, in fact, than the old incandescent type. But, they are supposed to last much longer and use less electricity. So we've changed the ones most commonly used and plan to buy more as budget and memory allow. Before you know it, we'll be green just from all the money we've saved! So green that our neighbors will begin to go green from sheer envy! (I'll be sure to let you know how that turns out.) Next I delved into Solar Power. What a great idea – harnessing the infinite power of the sun. Particularly when you find, in most cases, power companies must pay you for excess power you've generated! (Assuming your system is legally connected to their grid) Now there's a concept - the power company pays me? Then I began to add-up the initial cost of equipment required for conversion. If my calculations were correct, the outlay would easily surpass $20,000 to obtain the necessary components to harness enough of the sun's energy to power my entire house. Alright, well, maybe later...now what?  How about Ethanol? An interesting concept originally but it has been proven we'd all have to move to another country to have enough land, to grow enough corn, to make enough ethanol, to be free of dependency on foreign oil. And then, since I don't already own one, I'd have to run out and buy one of those "Flex-fuel" vehicles. Once again, that's that! Well, how about Bio-diesel then? There's another great idea - running on used vegetable oil and smelling like french fries! It may add to America's obesity problems bit it sounds perfect for the trucking industry and the few diesel-powered autos out there. But I don't drive an 18-wheeler, and since I don't already own a diesel-powered car - you guessed it - I'd have to run out and buy one. At this point, if you are at all like me, you are even more confused than when we started! Suffice to say, if you're interested in "Going Green", there may be a new vehicle purchase in your near future. Personally, I think I'll run out and buy another 4-pack of those money-saving little twisted wonders and call it a day! Clay If you'd like to comment on this post please use the Contact form.
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Going Green, Green Required!
