Today is World Conservation Day – a big-picture observance. And the impact can make a big-time difference to your home’s value, the way you run it -- and how much you pay to do it!

Here are some suggestions for celebrating World Conservation Day today – and throughout the year.

• Go green – and we mean that literally! Do you know how the right trees and plants in your yard can help your home budget? Planted in the right locations, trees can help block the summer sign, which could help you reduce your electric bill during air conditioning season – or protect your doors and windows from winter chills, helping you keep your heating bill down. They can also reduce soil erosion, which can help protect your foundation from water damage.
• While we’re on the subject of going green – why not try DIY compost? You can repurpose your home’s “green” waste (vegetable scraps, fruit peels, grass clippings) and let the natural process of composting convert it into “black gold” to spread around your trees, ornamental plants, and vegetable gardens to enrich the soil and keep those beloved plants growing strong.
• When’s the last time you signed up for a carpool? Create a carpool to get the kids to school, or get some colleagues together to carpool to the office. You’ll save money on fuel, you’ll prevent wear and tear on your vehicle, and you can use the carpool lane to get where you’re going faster, saving time as well as money.
• Flip the switch! When you leave a room, turn off the lights – and encourage the rest of your family to do the same.
• Get back to the basics: reduce, reuse, recycle!

Beall Financial and Insurance Services has been working with property owners for more than 30 years to help them protect their most important assets: home, health, and business. If you have questions about insurance coverage for your home, family, or business, contact us.