If you use lamps in your office, request compact fluorescent bulbs from the facilities department. These are much cheaper to operate.

Burning two 60W lamps in your office, 8 hours a day costs the church about $45/year. The CF bulbs cost more up front but last longer and use less energy. Hooray.

So, I’m making day 16 the end of these e-mails because I’m out of ideas. I hope they have got you thinking more about ways that you can look around and help us to be wise stewards of the money God has entrusted to us.

(This is copied from an internal staff e-mail and is part of a series of posts)

Today’s tip: Use fax or e-mail instead of mail

Did you know that we spent $14,177 on postage last year? Yikes! I encourage you to evaluate every letter and postcard that you send to determine if it might be a good candidate for e-mail or faxing. Most of our regular attendees and lay leaders have e-mail, and most of those that have e-mail would rather receive an e-mail than a post card announcing an upcoming event. Ask yourself – do I really need to send this via snail mail? Sometimes the answer will be yes, and that’s why we have a postage budget. However, a small change in our percentage of mail habits can result in big savings.

(This is copied from an internal staff e-mail and is part of a series of posts)

Today’s tip: Share equipment with other ministries.

Today, let’s talk about sharing. Sounds like a children’s sermon from when I was growing up or a recent Veggie Tales episode (yes, I still watch Veggie Tales on Saturdays). When it comes down to it, there is no reason that every ministry needs their own digital camera, scanner, label printer, laminator, binding machine, etc. For items that we only use periodically, we should be able to share. My recommendation would be to create a master list of those types of items, place it on the shared drive, and share with one another. It’s easy to see how this one saves us money. So, to get started – what items do you have in your ministry that can be shared with other ministries?

(This is copied from an internal staff e-mail and is part of a series of posts)

Today’s tip: If you use an ink jet printer, make sure to use a fast draft option for items that are for reference only. Also, turn off the color when appropriate.

A little bit less ink on the page will result in your cartridges lasting longer. Longer lasting cartridges remind me of those Stride gum commercials. They say, “If it lasts so long, won’t we sell less gum.” Much the same, if we make the cartridges last longer, HP sells less of them and we keep the forty-bucks-a-pop in our budget rather than in corporate America.

Viva Savings!

(This is copied from an internal staff e-mail and is part of a series of posts)

For yesterday’s tip: avoid using the elevators; take the stairs.

Not only is it good for the bottom line, it’s also good for your health. So, strap on your pedometer and hit the stairs.

(This is copied from an internal staff e-mail and is part of a series of posts)