Just a little bit of a rant and what would you do?

[Josephhgoins]

OK, I am missing something here. I don't know what your water costs or electricity costs, but I couldn't imagine he wastes more than a buck or two a month on the way he uses them.

My suggestion would be to pick and choose your battles. If his habits is only costing pennies I wouldn't worry about it.

Besides, Do you know how many wifes would KILL to have a husband that cleans up after himself?

[ladykemma2]

ask him to catch the rinse water for other uses, like to water plants. he will see how much water he is wasting.

[Libby]

I can't offer advice for the water use... I'd just be happy he was washing the bowl. LOL

But for lighting.....

I asked Greebo to install a motion activated/timer switch for the bathroom light. (And would love to have them in most rooms of the house.) The light turns on as soon as you enter the door and switches off in 5 mins. It works like a dream until we have party and someone fiddles with the button because they weren't listening when you told them it is automatic.

I can see both sides here, yours and your DH. I don't have much to add. But I do agree about the lighting thing - maybe you can use one of these in the hallway?



DF mounted one on the ceiling of the bathroom and its been perfect for night time, we don't need to blind ourselves with the regular light in the middle of the night. It runs on AA or AAA (sorry cant remember) and has timer option of 10, 30 or 60 seconds before it turns off.

[dinah]

everyone has great ideas! i like the idea of saving the water to use elsewhere (ie. watering plants), the motion sensor light (i kind of want one now), and approaching it from as an environmental issue rather then a financial issue (i do think the environmental impact is a larger one then the financial impact).

it is a small thing, and i know we're not supposed to sweat the small stuff...but the small stuff all adds up!

[alotofgooddeals]

thanks for the idea... i appreciate it...

Snicker...I was thinking the same thing.

So on that note, another suggestion: put a dishwashing pan/bucket in that side of the sink. Ask him NOT to dump out the water that he used to wash his dish.

1) It will help him see how fast that dish is filling up with his over-washing task.

2) you can use that water later either to quick-wash other dishes, say silverware, that don't need a full basin by adding more hot water, or dump it out in the yard. Unless he's using a gallon of soap as well the little bit he uses shouldn't hurt your yard.

3) you can use that water to scrub a few spots on the walls, quick spot clean the kitchen floor, add bleach to it and dump it in the toilet and then swish around the toilet-brush

4) you can use that water to dump on his head the next time he does it. Ok kidding. In the nicest way, try to lighten up, he's trying not to be a slob and having dated slobs in the past, I assure you, this is a good thing.

[alotofgooddeals]

thank you for the idea....

Since he doesn't like the dish in the sink, could you buy an inexpensive dish basin to put to the side or under the cabinet??

This would irritate me too. For most people it is not the big items that kill the budget. It is the little leaks all over the place -- the 10 extra gallons a day, the candy bar out of the machine, the extra roll of towels a week -- they are not huge but when put together they are a big leak.

You are going to need to find his "language" to explain it in. For my hubby, I put it in $$. EX- Do you know eating at XX costs $$$ but I can buy the rib eye at the CSA and we can have the same meal organic and additive free for only $$?

To me it sounds like he needs the science. Maybe he doesn't think it is getting clean your way. How about the soak basin with added vinegar or bleach?? Explore the reasons.

[alotofgooddeals]

and this one thing just brings me to my boiling point etc...oh well i have lived this way for 22 years and will continue to live this way...and your right it could be bigger issues than not turning out a light or wasting water etc...so i consider myself fortunate...i think last night i was able to post my rant and i didn't say a word to him....

[many houseapes]

I know this is silly....but could you turn the water off during the day...until its time for washing dishes/baths/laundry? that way, he'll be forced to just let his dishes pile up in the sink until its actually time to do the dishes. Aside for removing all the lightbulbs...don't know how you could get him to stop leaving them on....maybe replace them w/ LED's? I know they're expensive, but maybe it might be worth it if he refuses to heed your advise.

[mndtrp]

My suggestion would be to pick and choose your battles. If his habits is only costing pennies I wouldn't worry about it.

This is what I was going to say. If it REALLY bothers you, get one of the motion-sensor faucets, similar to the motion sensor lights. I doubt you would recoup the costs, since water is still awfully cheap, but it would give you peace of mind.

[frugalwarrior2]

Perspective-My DH takes 2 or 3 dishes down to his office daily and bring up 20 at once. He never does dishes So he doesn't understand sand blaster and dishwasher aren't the same.
Paper towels-apparently when a cat has a dime size furball you must wrap the paper towel around your hand 3x to pick it up?? Talk about OCD.

People all are weird about something. Let it go.

[oheoh's momma]

I know it drives u crazy because it drives me crazy grandma leaves every light in the house on & all the tvs. She also is wasteful water because she has always paid for it I have not. I shut off every drop and reuse rinse water for flowers. she lets that water hose flow. I decided this month to keep my mouth shut and let them see how much it goes up last month was $105 this month will be over $150 hubby will take a cow fit then. try it he may see.

[nodmicks]

Honestly I'd be thrilled he washed a bowl. Can you get one of those aerator things on the faucet to cut down water usage?

[Cricketlegs]

My water bill is so small I don't worry so much about. Trash sewer and water is less than 60 dollars a month but I do make a small amount of dish water in the mornings sometimes and the kids drop them in and they soak a bit and then I come in a put them in the dishwasher.

Why not make some up and let him wash till his heart is content. Now if he has to have HOT water you will be out of luck.

NO ONE in this house has figured out what a dishwasher is and it makes me crazy. They have to walk PAST the dishwasher to get to the sink!