John sat staring at the telephone. He had just hung up from speaking to his wife, who had reminded him of the utility bills which were now due. He scratched his head. He had to find some way of dealing with these rising costs.

He heard a sound behind him and turned to see his friend and co-worker Patrick coming towards him. "Hi John, how about playing some dominoes this evening?" "Boy, I would like to you know, but I have to leave work kind of early to deal with some of the bills. It feels like is just last week I paid them, and they are due again. I have to find a way to reduce these bills or they are going to drive me up the wall."

"Boy, it's a funny thing that you mention that. Since last year, my family and I have been on a waste-reduction plan. Just this morning we were talking about how successfully it has been working. I can show you a thing or two, and your family can come over later and we can talk and have some fun. Kill two birds with one stone."

" All right, that sounds like a good plan. I feel better already."

"Yeah John, it can work man. Last year, my wife and I sat down and planned how we were going to cut out waste in all the areas we could think of. We realised that we were wasting electricity, water, food and a whole heap of other things, including time. We included the children in the plan and even make it fun for the younger ones, and paid the older ones some of the savings that we made. So, for instance, if they are the last one leaving a room and leave the lights on, they have to do an extra chore. If they make a saving, like turning off the pipe when they are brushing their teeth, they get points which lead to a reward. The food bill went down because they use leftovers for lunch and stopped wasting food."

"Patrick, that sounds like a good idea and whole heap of fun. Especially since it's saving money. Make sure that you tell your wife we're coming over."

"No problem, man. That's what good friends are for. Plus, I owe you a beating for the last six love you gave me. Come collect it this evening."

Ann Marie Rodriques
PeaceWater Services
Send questions or comments to peacewaterservices@yahoo.com.