Minimize Your Water Bill

One of the first steps to frugal living is to reduce your utility bills. Most people use more water than they need. A lot more. The average American uses over 100 gallons a day on bathing, washing dishes and clothing, preparing food, etc. The average African uses just 5 gallons a day. By reducing your water usage, you'll not only save money but also benefit the environment. Here are five tips to help you shrink your water bill.

1. Use a dishwasher – Contrary to popular belief, most modern dishwashers use less water than hand washing. Wait until the dishwasher is full before you run it. Don't waste water rinsing the plates. Just scrape the food off, and the dishwasher will do the rest.

2. Take showers instead of baths – Baths waste a lot more water than showering. You can shrink your water bill further by reducing the time you spend in the shower. Long, luxurious showers are the enemy of money-saving.

3. Fix leaks – Small leaks can increase your water bill by as much as $25 per quarter. A dripping faucet can waste 750 gallons a month.

4. Flush less – If you're replacing your toilet, make sure you get a low-flow one. Alternatively, you can turn your old toilet into a low-flow model by placing a water-filled plastic bottle in the tank. Less space in the tank means you use less water every time you flush.

5. Keep drinking water in the fridge – Every time you want a glass of water, you run the tap until it gets cold enough to drink. This wastes gallons of water unnecessarily. Keep a jug or bottle of drinking water in the refrigerator so you always have cold water on hand without having to run the tap.