A cartoon gizmo for budget obsessives

What is more frustrating than sitting in front of a table full of bills, trying to figure out how to save on day-to-day operations? It’s sticky, it’s ugly—it’s no fun. Thank you, simplesteps.org for doing all the dirty work (and @SmarterCities for turning us onto it). Their addictive Household Savings Calculator (an interactive version of the thumbnail at left) tells you how much you would save (in money and environmental resources) with every degree you lower the thermostat, or a minute less in the shower—as well as offering general Good Advice. Click on the cartoon house, answer easy questions, and skip all the mind-numbing math.