Save Water, Shower with a Friend

First the washing machine died.  I was excited about buying the front-loader on craigslist almost 2 years ago, but I understand why the repair people counsel against buying used machines.
We went to the Sears crash and dent store, where appliances that have a little paint chip or a dent, or have been purchased and returned.  I knew I wanted a machine that maximized use of water and electricity.
Come to find out, the water department had a rebate on these machines, and a soon-to-expire electric rebate too!  I got $225 in rebates on a $340 maytag frontloader.  Forget craigslist for now! 
Caused us to go out and buy a new toilet too, before those rebates expire March 15.  We did some research and got one that's working great and came with its own $125 rebate. (This is a Kohler Cimarron comfort height elongated bowl from Home Depot. Our research found that the elongated bowls were the power players in the low-water flush). Flush once, or flush once in awhile.  It's amazing how toilets have advanced to do their jobs more efficiently.