Money Saving tips Around the Household Utility & Transportation

Money Saving tips – Around the Household, Utility & Transportation #2

Money Saving Tips Household strategies are offered with this second article in the Money Saving Tips Series. Learn how simple changes around the house will save you hundreds of dollars every year.

Household Utility Savings

Unplug electronic appliances, devices and chargers that do not require constant electricity while not in use.
During summer, use blinds or draperies to block direct late afternoon sun into the home, yet keep them open during all other daylight hours for lighting.
Likewise, in winter, use blinds or draperies to shield the cold from the windows from permeating into the home.
Put insulation around your water heater.
Replace light bulbs with energy efficient bulbs. Same with your heavy-duty appliances. Refrigerators, washer, dryer, dishwasher. Look for Energy Saver stickers on the appliances.

The Big Machines

Run full loads on your dishwasher and your washing machine. The exception here is when you have an energy savings appliance that automates the load for load size. Otherwise, pack as much as you can in one load.

However, especially with the washing machine and dryer, be cautious not to OVER-load. A full load is cost saving, an overload can damage your appliances causing a shortened appliance lifetime and additional utility costs to run cycles repeatedly to handle the big overload. Some of this is common sense. But to spell it out, skip running the load for just three or four towels. But don’t put so many items in the laundry tub you push it down to fit it all inside.

Transportation and Vehicle Savings

Keep appropriate air pressure in tires. By doing this simple maintenance, you will save an average of $270 per year. Keep in mind this is especially critical for the hot and cold (summer and winter) seasons when the outdoor temperature affects our tire air pressure.

Oil, lube and filter changes are easy to remember because when a car is serviced, typically, a new sticker is placed in the upper corner window of the driver side as a reminder for the next time we need to get serviced. However, what we need to include with this is the air filter check. The air filter needs to be cleaned or replaced. This act is worthy of $100 plus savings per year as well.

Practice Good Driving Habits

According to Deborah Fowles, she said, “Wasteful driving habits can double your fuel consumption. Develop gas-saving habits, such as: (1) always accelerate gently; (2) watch traffic ahead of you so you can anticipate slow-downs and avoid stops; (3) coast up to traffic jams by lifting your foot off the gas pedal instead of approaching at full speed and slamming on the brakes. It takes 20% more gas to accelerate to normal speed from a full stop than it does from four or five miles per hour; (4) don’t drive too fast or too slowly. It takes 20% to 30% more gas to drive at 70 mph than 50 mph; (5) maintain a steady speed on the highway. Avoid getting stuck behind slow cars where you slow down to their pace and then speed up to pass. Potential Money Savings: $390/yr.” – https://www.thebalance.com/how-to-save-money-on-all-of-your-car-expenses-1289239

Plan Your Route

Reduce your driving. One way to do this is to organize your errands to be done without driving back and forth. Another is to piggy back your family medical and dental appointments on the same day, same times, different providers. Or just spend an afternoon with one provider. It’s not as inconvenient as you think when you make it a PLAN. For example, my family knows in October, we will all go together for wellness checks, lab updates and flu shots. In March and September, we make trips to the dental office. Making the PLAN AHEAD is crucial to this.

Around the House Savings

New Savings Jar – this is that catch all jar for loose change. Find a penny, drop it in here. Is it a “cuss” jar? Or one of those, when you do this, then you owe a quarter? Drop it in here!

Goal Jar is a bit different than the savings jar. Because the goal jar has a set goal attached. Which means when you add money to this jar you are purposefully depositing money into the jar with the intent you will reach a set goal that will require a set amount of money to complete the goal. For families with multiple kids, your windowsills may be lined with several goal jars.

Reduce Waste

Reduce waste of paper towels and toilet paper. I am all about cleaning up messes, but nobody needs to pull of three and four paper towels to dry up splashed water around the sink. Nor does anyone need to wrap sheets of toilet paper around their hand eight and nine times to wipe themselves or blow their nose.

“When you de-clutter your space, You de-clutter your mind”

This isn’t one where you can really limit people to a specified number of towels or sheets; but you can highly encourage your family to be mindful of their usage. Remind your visitors as well with a subtle reminder near the towel dispenser or in the bathroom. A simple sign that asks them to please use only what is needed; help us to avoid waste and be green!

Inventory Your Belongings for Space

Inventory your closets, your knick-knacks, items in your attic or garage. Sell your belongings you haven’t used regularly for a profit. Decluttering your space will make you feel better as well. Always keep the motto close to you – “when you declutter your space, you declutter your mind”. This follows for your financial obligations as well.

Reduce or eliminate monthly subscriptions. Magazines, clubs, entertainment programming and such. Especially, if these are subscriptions you are not actively using or using on a regular basis. Re-use dryer sheets at least once more after first use; or cut dryer sheets in half and use half sheets. Use vinegar to run quick cycle on washing machine or dishwasher for cleansing. Re-use gift wrapping paper, gift tissue paper, bows and ribbons.

Dining Out

Just like with everything else, look for ways to reduce, eliminate and save. We all need to take advantage of dining out periodically. By dining out I mean going to a restaurant for a sit-down meal. But it is the same for ordering through a drive-thru window and taking a meal home or ordering delivery.

This also includes the trending home delivery through delivery services such as GrubHub and DoorDash and UberEats. We want to save where and when we can. Of course, save money by doing take out rather than delivery too. But when that is not an option, look for additional specials on delivery! And refer your friends so you can earn points on your account.

Coupons and Specials Make a Difference

Use your coupons! Look for restaurant specials. A monthly special or weekly, daily. Take advantage of the value menus. You can pick and choose items off the menu that are lower cost but will still fill you up. In fact, it is a great way to control over eating as well. But if you really want that big fancy double decker sandwich, ask if someone in your party is willing to split a meal. Split the meal, split the cost and split the calories. It’s a win-win! Especially for the first part of the New Year into the Spring when people are at the height of their dieting efforts.

More Ideas for Dining Out Savings

Another option is to avoid appetizers, beverages and desserts. When you are seated, ask your server for a pitcher of water you can keep at your table. While you are browsing the menu, drink at least one whole glass of water. Drink another one after you have ordered but before it arrives. Filling up on water ends up with leftovers to go and eat for lunch tomorrow.

Money saving also is if you are planning to have a meal out, make it lunch. The lunch menu is less expensive than the dinner menu. I have a favorite restaurant I visit. I am not crazy about the big crowds so prefer to hit that mid-afternoon lull. However, I have hit it on either side of the lunch menu cut-off time. I order the same thing either way and am served the same thing, either way. I get the fresh warm bread with whipped butter, a soup or salad and my entrée. My entrée consists of my protein, a side and a serving of seasonal vegetables. The difference? Only the price. I save approximately four to five dollars ordering during the lunch hours.

Or simply stay home and make your favorite family meals at home.