Clark's Big Book of Bargains Read Online Free PDF Page A

water to people.
    But most tap water is clean and—here’s a surprise—it tastes good. Here in Atlanta, we did a taste test comparing bottled water to tap water for a TV report, and tap water beat bottled. Most of this group of taste testers were avowed bottled-water drinkers, and before the test they went on and on about how they hated the taste of tap water. But in the blind taste test, the tap waters won. The bottled-water drinkers were very surprised that they liked the taste of tap water.
    Taste is completely subjective, and you may prefer the taste of bottled water to tap. But taste should be the reason to drink bottled water, not some sense that bottled water is more pure or better for your health than tap. In fact, many of the bottled waters actually come from municipal sources, rather than from some pristine mountain spring.
    For the TV report, we tested a variety of tap waters in a lab, and the tests found nothing in the water that would pose any health hazard. It was perfectly safe to drink.
    If you live in an area where the water tastes bad, like in many beach communities, bottled water may make more sense. I have a beach home in Florida, and I drink bottled water when I stay there.
    Another option is to filter your water, with either a faucet-mounted, refrigerator-mounted, or pitcher-style water filter. Consumer Reports magazine (www.consumerreports.org) has tested water filters several times, and found that, while tap water is safe, many filters do a good job of removing “potentially harmful contaminants like lead, parasites, and chlorine by-products such as chloroform.” They also do a good job of “removing off-tastes and odors,” the magazine says. The downside is the cost of filters, which must be changed every few months. Pitcher-style filters are somewhat cheaper than faucet-mounted filters, but the real cost with either, the cost of filters, is similar. Whichever you choose, it will be cheaper than bottled water.
    An alternative is a modified purified-water unit, which looks like a water cooler but really is a refrigerator with a filtration system. The water is filtered and chilled, and it’s far cheaper than a traditional bottled-water cooler.
    If you do want to buy bottled water, there are some ways to save money. The popularity of bottled water has made it more expensive, but there are a number of private labels that are much cheaper than the top brand names. Wal-Mart sells one called Sam’s Choice that costs about twenty cents for a 20-ounce bottle, or about a penny an ounce, whereas expensive bottled waters can cost 3 to 5 cents an ounce. The warehouse clubs have their own private-label waters as well, and they’re at or below a penny an ounce for a single-serving size. If you buy a gallon jug, you may get the price below half a penny an ounce.
    If you like the portability of a single-serving size, buy one of those and use a gallon jug to refill it.
    It doesn’t matter what kind of bottled water you buy, as long as you like the taste. So try a few inexpensive varieties first, and if you find one you like, stay with it.
    People really get ripped off when they buy a bottle of water at a convenience store, at inflated prices. Instead, keep some in your car, and when you get thirsty, you’ll have a bottle nearby. Most people prefer drinking water at room temperature anyway, and it’s healthier for your body.
    • Tips on Bottled Water •
     
Buy bottled water if you prefer the taste to tap water, not because you think it’s more pure or better for your health.
Try a few inexpensive varieties first, and if you find one you like, stay with it.
Private labels have some of the best prices.
Avoid buying bottled water at convenience stores, where it is most expensive.
    • Internet •
     
www.consumerreports.org (Tests on water filters)

CHAPTER 2
FAMILY + CHILDREN
    As a father of two children, I can tell you that, while there are challenges to raising children, it’s mostly a joy. The