It's Sunday night and raining as I write this, but is it enough -- enough to supply that 1.1 million gallons Bermuda needs every day. No doubt that it has been a dry, dry spring and early summer. The pleas have gone out from Government, conserve water! Are we? Or have we grown complacent because it is so easy to pick up the phone and buy it. We always get it when we need it, don't we? How many residential family, business offices and other units are served by that million gallons per day? Does that number include all the water capacity in our home tanks as well, or just the water drawn from the lees? What did we do (in the past) when we could not buy water? What will we do in the future if we can't buy water? Random observations on water usage in the last few weeks; 1. At an athletic facility, showers turned on full-blast prior to undressing.

Ten minutes later, an actual shower takes place taken. Simple math, a full-bore spigot spews out water at five gallons a minute or more, i.e. 10 minutes equals 50 gallons down the drain.

2. At offices and homes, water is run until it turns hot prior because "we don't like to wash in cold water''.

3. At other places, a lavatory fixture shut-off is stuck open, water running steadily away.

4. Shower automatic turn-offs stuck open, running, running unheeded.

5. Spring release faucets in public facilities stuck. Water running in a steady stream.

`Oh, good grief!', you're thinking, "not another do-gooder conservationist, harping on my individual rights. I can choose to run or not run the water I use, it is a free country''.

You are right, but what about your pocketbook effect? It's not free there! Individually and collectively, wasting water costs all of us money.

Another interesting phenomenon, change happens, mostly because someone sees an opportunity to make money. What about using conservation to save money? Honestly, you think, "I save so much a month now, what is she talking about?'' Good for you, how would you like to put away a little more? Let's do a little mental exercise with a typical week's routine.

Nothing that would infringe upon your quality of life. Let's call it small sacrifices.

Here is the only rule. Whatever you are buying or consuming, you will buy one less or consume 14 percent less if you buy or consume it everyday. That's one out of seven. OK, are you ready? One caveat, I have the right to double the amount if with a little effort, you could have conserved a bit more.

Water statistics: The average individual uses 30 gallons of water per day times 7 equals 210 gallons per week.

The average load of water (900 gallons) costs $55 dollars equals 16.36 cents per gallon Water, if managed carefully is almost totally free.

Dollars Saved in One Week $9.81 dollars -- you cut your shower time in half one morning, you recycled that water into the lavatory or garden -- saved 60 gallons of water in a week.

$8.85 -- you rode your pedal bike or walked to work -- saved on one day's worth of gas (the average car costs $62 dollars to fill up every week).

$5 -- you hung two loads of washed clothes outside, instead of using the dryer. (average electric bill is $200 per month with dryers and air conditioners spinning the meter the fastest) $5.95 -- you served your family one meatless meal this week $10 -- you smoke two packs of cigarettes a day -- you cut back by two packs a week $2.50 -- you drink an average of two six-packs of beer a week, you give up two beers $2.50 -- ditto for wine, you have one or two glasses three -- five times a week, give up one glass $3 -- you are exhausted at the end of the day, and very hungry, you buy a Coke and chips almost every day, give up one day's worth.

$7.50 -- you almost never have time to make lunch, just pick up something on the go, and give up one take-out lunch $2.75 -- you just love those cappuccino's and get one almost every day, give up one.

At the risk of this sounding an awful lot like Lent, what's our total saving -- $57.86 ($231.44 a month).

Did you miss any of these things or events, bet you never noticed! Final note, what is the cumulative total of $231.44 invested compounded monthly for five years with an average rate of return of nine percent. Guess.

$17,456.

Not too bad for items we buy, waste, or consume every day and never even remember we did them. Imagine what you could save if you took inventory of your entire lifestyle for a week, conserving even further. What might that some of money be. I can virtually guarantee that it won't be peanuts! Martha Myron CPA is a Bermudian, a Comprehensive Financial Planner, a NASD Series 7 licensed investment broker and a U.S. tax practitioner. She is Programming Chair for the Financial Planning Association/Bermuda. Questions regarding this article may be sent to her at 234-0290 or Email: marthamyron y northrock.bm Dripping away: When it comes to saving, every drop can count. For example, you could save about $8 a week if you rode your pedal bike or walked to work one day -- with the average car costing $62 to fill