Irrigate Lawn and Garden with a Rain Barrel

Cost Savings: $100-$300

The average U.S. household spends more than $500 on its water and sewer bill annually, and it's been estimated that homeowners use 20%-60% of their water to irrigate lawn and garden. The percentage is on the lower end in regions like the water-rich Northeast, and on the higher end in regions like the perennial dry Southwest.

A rain barrel may cost about $50 to build, or as little as $119 to buy. (That's what the 48-gallon Smartware rain barrel pictured here costs at amazon.com.) If you irrigate with the rain water it collects after running off the roof, though, it will pay for itself in no time, and save you money on water bills thereafter. Also remember to do your watering in the early morning, so that the water seeps in and doesn't just evaporate.