Every now and then you run across a situation where instinct tells you to zig when you really ought to zag.

For saving electricity and keeping a few more dollars in your bank account, THIS SPACE is about to bend your mind around the idea of using electricity to save it.

This week’s ONE THING you can do to conserve energy is to try online billing for your utility bills and any other payments you need to make. The switch will increase your time on the computer, which would seem to increase your energy consumption, but this is a situation where one step back can lead to two or three steps forward.

Here’s why. More...

After an extended, gray winter, Seattle is now enjoying the kind of summer that reminds us why we live here.

As the long-awaited sunshine pulls us from our fleece cocoons and recharges our vitamin D levels, THIS SPACE is here to remind you that sunshine also offers one of the simplest, low-investment opportunities for saving electricity -- the solar clothes dryer. You might recognize this energy-efficient technology better as a clothesline.

Hanging clothes to dry used to be a commonplace event, but largely disappeared with the arrival of affordable, convenient appliances.

That convenience comes with a cost, which you can turn into a savings. More...

I recently headed to the upholstery store to find fabric for an old rocking chair in need of rehab. Surely they would have organic fabrics to choose from...and yet the saleswoman shook her head. There just isn't much interesting green upholstery fabric, she said. So I was pleased to find Mod Green Pod, out of Austin (found via their Twitter), and revive my project.

Mod Green Pod's fabrics are 100% Organic cotton that is grown, woven, and printed with non-toxic dyes in the USA ($39.75/yard). The line of wallpaper is PVC-free and also uses non-toxic inks ($60/roll). Using organic cotton grown in the USA is especially impressive. And those patterns!

Pictured is the Room Creator, where you can play with prints and get an enthusiastic environmental message from the furniture (and the cat). See their blog for inspiring cover ups. More...

Anyone who can relate to the recent cell phone commercial about “butt dialing” knows how our dependence on technology can sometimes get in the way of our best intentions.

Beyond the inconvenience of dialing or answering some unintended calls, there’s an energy cost as well. More...

On a recent trip to the supermarket, my wife brought home a new detergent for the dishwashing machine. We both responded favorably to the “Eco” labeling on the soap, which indicated that it did not include phosphorous.

Increases in phosphorous in waterways can cause harmful algae blooms, so finding an opportunity to cut back can be a good thing. Unfortunately, the good feelings of reducing our impact on the water system faded with each new load of dishes. The soap left a lot of filmy residue, and more importantly failed to remove the food particles we wanted to wash off.

To get them clean, we had to run the dishes through a second cycle, which obviously brings us to the point of THIS SPACE: how to save electricity and keep a few more dollars in your bank account. More...

Did you know that some plants grow better when they grow next to other plants? The opposite is also true, where some plants just don’t get along. It is a little known secret in organic gardening and all has to do with one plant repelling pests that would attack the other plant, or attracting beneficial insects, providing nutrients, or in some cases simply offering shade and support. Celebrate this marvelous concept in biodiversity when planning your spring garden. More...

Even if you used all your coupons from our book, we know you still need to buy things that we don't cover. Use these three sites to continue saving money while you shop for necessities.

RedPlum.com We found Tylenol, V8 Juice, and Renu contact solution coupons to download and print. Enter your zip code to begin searching.

Smart Source Both printable coupons and online coupons are available here. Right now they have a coupon for $2 off Seventh Generation baby wipes. Mac users will need Safari.

RetailMeNot.com Search here for discount codes from online stores including clothing companies, Walgreens, and Amazon. You can almost always find a free shipping code--search by store. More...

Many houses have heaters, fireplaces, woodstoves or a combination of all three, yet are still uncomfortably cold inside. Aren’t we smart enough to keep ourselves warm? Even beavers build their dens to stay incredibly toasty and dry, so what’s going on with us? You may have taken one look at your heating bill over the last few months and wondered the same thing.

Spring is finally here and we can use this time to prepare and remodel for next winter. Here are some ways to manage staying warm, saving money and being green (besides wearing that green thrift store sweater you bought for St. Patrick's Day). More...

Your top green building resources are MN Green Star and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's Residential Building. But we know that these times call for cash, so we've gathered your top money back options to aid your green remodel.

4 Areas to Check
Have you used our Personal Energy Analyzer yet? If you don't own a Blue Sky Guide, you can download it right here. Reducing your water heater temperature, lowering your thermostat (or raising it this summer), and eliminating phantom power suckers can save you money with zero cost up front.

Cash and Tax Incentives
We found the most comprehensive information through the Minnesota Energy Challenge, which you can sign up for online. While there aren't currently many rebates, being a part of the challenge will keep you informed when they become available.

Two low cost home improvements are upgrading  appliances and insulating you home. Use Energy Star's DIY guide to insulation and sealing to save yourself money. Calculate your potential Energy Star savings by appliance to determine which are the biggest energy users.

Coupons

• Recycled cotton fiber insulation is available at Natural Built Home. Your coupon will save you $5 off $25.
• Replace old windows with Green Seal certified windows from Renewal by Andersen. Your coupon will save you $60 off per window on 6 or more.

Get a Professional Audit
Xcel energy customers can get a $150 energy audit for just $35. Audits last 2 hours and the price is added to your next bill. Call 1-800-895-4999 to schedule yours. After the audit, improvements on your home may qualify you for a Home Performance Rebate. More...