Helpful Tips for Cutting Down on Your Water Bill

With heightened environmental concerns and rising utility costs, taking steps to conserve water is both an eco-friendly and a money-saving tip. Many households are searching for effective ways to reduce their water consumption without compromising on convenience. In this article, we will explore actionable tips to help you lower your water bill, improve efficiency, and contribute to the global movement of water conservation.

Install Low-Flow Faucets and Fixtures

One of the simplest ways to reduce your water usage significantly is by installing low-flow faucets and fixtures. These devices can lead to a dramatic decrease in water consumption, with the potential to cut usage by up to 60%. By integrating these into your home, you not only contribute to water conservation but also positively affect your monthly water bill.

Low-flow options are available for showers, toilets, and sinks, making them easy to implement throughout the household. Most of these fixtures are designed to maintain the same water pressure, ensuring comfort and convenience are not lost. Installation is often straightforward, requiring minimal time and effort while promising immediate savings.

Consider the upfront investment as a long-term saving strategy, ensuring you recoup costs through reduced utility bills. This is a quintessential money-saving tip that pays off over time. Combining these products can result in significant water conservation across an entire household.

Identify and Repair Hidden Leaks

A key factor that contributes to unintentional water waste is hidden leaks, which many homeowners remain unaware of until they see a spike in their water bills. In fact, leaks in a typical household can account for the loss of approximately 10,000 gallons of water annually. Identifying and repairing leaks promptly is an essential step towards water conservation.

Common areas where leaks hide include toilet flappers, faucets, and showerheads, often going unnoticed until it is too late. Routine checks around all water fixtures and employing food coloring tests in toilet tanks can help detect leaks early. Once identified, these issues should be repaired immediately to prevent further water waste and costly bills.

In addition to reducing your water bill, repairing leaks contributes significantly to resource conservation efforts. Making regular inspections part of your home maintenance routine is a proactive, money-saving tip that ensures efficiency and sustainability. This initiative is both cost-effective and environmentally friendly.

Monitor and Adjust Your Daily Water Usage

Understanding and adjusting your daily water usage can also lead to significant savings on your water bill. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency highlights that an average American family uses over 300 gallons of water daily at home, with a significant majority dedicated to indoor use through toilets, showers, and faucets. Simple habit changes can drastically reduce this consumption.

To start, consider reducing shower lengths, turning off water while brushing teeth, and only running dishwashers or laundry machines with full loads. These small adjustments can make a significant impact when accumulated over time. Implementing timers for showers or automatic shut-off devices for outdoor hoses are practical ways to ensure you do not exceed necessary water usage.

Additionally, educating family members about the importance of water conservation can enhance overall effort. Everyone plays a role in reducing household water usage by adopting these practices. The collective endeavor will make your home more water-efficient, reducing your bills and highlighting an important money-saving tip for the entire family.

Conserving water is good for the environment, but there are also a lot of economic benefits that make it worth a little extra investigation. By implementing low-flow fixtures, repairing hidden leaks, and mindfully managing daily water use, you can substantially lower your water bill while supporting global conservation efforts. These strategies not only offer immediate benefits by cutting costs but also promote long-term sustainability in water use.

Navigating the Challenges of Parenting Kids with Anxiety and Panic Attacks

Parenting is hard. Parenting kids with anxiety and panic attacks can feel overwhelming in ways you never imagined. When your child is struggling to breathe, shaking, or completely shutting down, your instincts kick in—but sometimes even love doesn’t feel like enough in those moments.

It’s so hard to see such beautiful souls suffer with such a debilitating mental condition. I love my babies and I am trying hard to understand anxiety and these attacks better to help them.

Our oldest kids struggle deeply with anxiety and panic attacks. At their worst, they feel like they can’t breathe, like their body is betraying them. Watching your child go through that and feeling powerless is one of the hardest parts of being a parent.

This is what we’ve learned, what we’ve tried, and what we do for Tyson and Brooke when anxiety takes over and they can’t function properly.

Understanding What Anxiety Looks Like in Kids

Anxiety doesn’t always look like fear. Sometimes it looks like:

• Anger or irritability
• Withdrawal or shutting down
• Crying over “small” things
• Avoidance of school, activities, or people
• Complaints of stomach aches, headaches, or trouble breathing

For Tyson and Brooke, panic attacks can hit suddenly. One moment they’re fine, and the next they feel like they can’t breathe or think clearly. In those moments, logic doesn’t work—because anxiety isn’t logical.

That understanding changed how we responded.

What We Do When Tyson and Brooke Can’t Function

When anxiety or a panic attack hits hard, our first goal is regulation, not correction.

Here’s what we do:

1. We Stay Calm (Even When We’re Scared)

Kids feed off our energy. If we panic, their panic escalates. Even when our hearts are racing, we speak slowly and calmly:

• “You’re safe.”
• “I’m right here.”
• “We’ll get through this together.”

2. We Focus on Breathing—Gently

When they feel like they can’t breathe, telling them to “just breathe” doesn’t help. Instead, we:

• Breathe with them
• Count slow breaths together
• Use grounding techniques like naming things they can see or feel

Sometimes we sit in silence. Presence matters more than words.

3. We Remove Pressure

When anxiety takes over, expectations disappear. Schoolwork, chores, conversations—none of it matters in that moment. Their nervous system needs time to reset.

Letting go of pressure has helped them recover faster and feel safer.

Steps We’ve Tried to Help Long-Term

Anxiety doesn’t disappear overnight, but these steps have helped us support our kids over time:

• Creating predictable routines so they know what to expect
• Teaching coping tools during calm moments, not during a panic
• Validating feelings instead of dismissing them
• Helping them name what they’re feeling so it feels less scary
• Encouraging rest and downtime without guilt
• Medications from their pediatrician 
• Counselling
• Sour candies are supposed to help suppress panic attacks and anxiety attacks, we keep them on hand just in case.

Some things worked. Some didn’t. And that’s okay. Parenting kids with anxiety is a lot of trial and error.

The Power of Talking to Your Kids

One of the most important things we’ve learned is this:

Behavior is communication.

When Tyson or Brooke act out, shut down, or seem “off,” we’ve learned to ask why instead of reacting to what.

Talking to your kids—really talking—helps you understand:

• What triggered their anxiety
• What fears they’re holding inside
• What they need from you in those moments

Sometimes the conversations are uncomfortable. Sometimes they don’t have the words yet. But creating a safe space where they know they can talk without judgment has made all the difference.

What We Want Other Parents to Know

If you’re parenting a child with anxiety or panic attacks:

• You are not failing
• Your child is not being dramatic
• This is not something they can “just get over”

Your love, patience, and willingness to understand them matters more than having all the answers.

Some days are really hard. Some days feel hopeless. But every time you choose compassion, every time you sit with them in their fear, you are building trust—and that matters more than you know.

Final Thoughts

Anxiety may be part of our family’s journey, but it does not define our kids. Tyson and Brooke are strong, brave, and learning how to navigate a world that feels louder and scarier to them than most.

If you’re walking this road too, know this: you’re not alone. Keep listening. Keep learning. And keep showing up—even when it’s hard.

Because sometimes, being there is the most powerful thing you can do. ❤️

What Is Kratom And Does It Work?

Every so often, something comes along that feels uncomfortably familiar to the “system.” A natural product shows promise. People start talking about it. It helps where conventional options fall short. And suddenly, there’s pressure to restrict it, regulate it out of reach, or label it as dangerous without fully listening to the people who actually use it.

Kratom feels like one of those stories.

What Is Kratom?

Kratom is a plant native to Southeast Asia, derived from the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree. For generations, it has been used traditionally for energy, focus, pain relief, and relaxation. Today, it comes in several forms—powders, capsules, extracts—and is often categorized by vein color, such as white, red, and green, each associated anecdotally with different effects.

Despite being a plant, kratom interacts with the body in complex ways, which is exactly why it has caught so much attention—both from users and from regulators.

Why I Started Using Kratom

My journey with kratom didn’t start because I was chasing a high. It started because I live with chronic pain.

I’ve broken my tailbone four times in my life—once in a sledding accident, and then again after each child I birthed. Add to that the long-term wear and tear from my younger days (yes, I earned my rave badge fair and square), and I now deal with severe, persistent back pain. Years of partying and pushing my limits left their mark, including spinal issues that still affect me today.

I have also dabbled with amazing microdose mushrooms that have helped me with anxiety, insomnia, inflammation, and basic enjoyment of life everyday. You can find more information about them here in my post about microdosing to get my life back. Use code funkyfrugalmom for 20% off your order!

I believe in modern medicine. I take what my doctor prescribes. But like so many people with chronic pain, I’ve hit a wall. Stronger medications are no longer an option, and the result is a familiar and frustrating cycle: you’re still in pain, but you’re expected to just live with it.

That’s when people start looking elsewhere—not because they’re reckless, but because they’re desperate for relief.

The Different Faces of Kratom

One of the reasons kratom stands out is its versatility.

• White vein kratom has given me a clean, smooth boost of energy. Unlike coffee, it doesn’t come with jitters or a harsh crash. It helps me function, focus, and get through the day.
• Red vein kratom has been especially comforting at night. It helps me wind down and manage pain without feeling heavy or sedated.
• 7-hydroxy products, often referred to as “7-oh,” are something I’d describe as being for the more experienced user. They offer a stronger effect—a noticeable rush paired with a calm, relaxed feeling.

For me, this variety has meant options. Different tools for different moments, instead of a one-size-fits-all prescription.

Step-by-Step: Common Ways People Use Kratom Powder

Kratom powder is popular because it can be used in several ways. Below is a clear overview so people understand the options—not a prescription, just education. Use a scale like this one: https://amzn.to/4aB3pAp

Step 1: Choose the Form That Fits Your Lifestyle

Most people start with plain kratom powder because it’s versatile and widely available.

Step 2: Decide How You Want to Consume It

There’s no single “right” way—people choose based on taste tolerance, convenience, and routine.

• Mixed into a drink

Powder can be stirred into water, juice, or another beverage. Many people prefer citrus juices to help with bitterness.

• Brewed as a tea

Some users steep kratom in hot water and strain out the plant material. This method feels gentler for some and fits into a daily ritual.

• Toss-and-wash

A quick method where powder is followed immediately by liquid. Fast, efficient, and not for everyone.

• Capsules - My Fave 💕 

Powder can be put into capsules—either purchased or made at home. This removes taste entirely and is convenient for travel. I got my capsules here: https://amzn.to/4qBmsPR

• Blended into food or smoothies

Some people mix kratom into smoothies or protein shakes, pairing it with nutrition and masking the flavor.

Step 3: Match the Method to the Moment

Energy-focused users often prefer daytime methods that feel light and functional, while nighttime users may choose something slower and more relaxing.

Step 4: Pay Attention to Your Body

Kratom affects everyone differently. Responsible use means listening to your body, staying informed, and avoiding unnecessary mixing with other substances.

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Why Kratom Faces Pushback

When a natural product helps people reduce reliance on pharmaceuticals, it’s not hard to see why big pharma might not be thrilled. Plants can’t be patented. Experiences can’t be easily controlled. And people talking to each other don’t generate profit.

That doesn’t mean kratom is risk-free or above scrutiny. It does mean the conversation should be honest, balanced, and grounded in real experiences—not fear or financial interest.

Final Thoughts

Kratom isn’t a miracle. It isn’t for everyone. And it shouldn’t replace medical care. But for people like me—who have done everything “by the book” and still live with pain—it has been a genuinely helpful tool.

I’ve been using kratom for over three months, and my experience has been overwhelmingly positive. I feel more functional, more balanced, and more in control of my daily life.

Why Is Kratom Under Fire?

When something works for people—especially when it’s natural and can’t be patented—it’s not surprising that powerful industries feel threatened. Pharmaceutical companies don’t profit from plants people can choose instead of prescriptions, and history has shown us that effective natural alternatives often face intense scrutiny.

That doesn’t mean kratom is risk-free or should be used irresponsibly. It does mean that conversations around it should be honest, nuanced, and driven by real-world experience—not fear, profit, or control.

A Plant Worth Learning About

Kratom isn’t magic. It isn’t for everyone. And it shouldn’t replace medical care. But for many people like me—who have tried to do everything “the right way” and still live with daily pain—it has been a meaningful addition to our wellness toolbox.

I’ve been using kratom for over three months now, and my experience has been overwhelmingly positive. I feel more functional, more balanced, and more in control of how I manage my pain and energy.

If you’re curious, do your own research. Learn about the benefits, the risks, and the legal status where you live. Ask questions. Listen to people who actually use it.

And if you decide to explore it thoughtfully, I’m always happy to share what I’ve learned along the way. Take a peek at https://bckratom.com/ for Canadian orders.  

Sometimes the most controversial things are simply the ones that work.