Jennifer W
1. I have a programmable thermostat that stays about 5 degrees higher or lower than before(depending on the season).
2. I have a low-flow shower head with an on/off switch that keeps the temperature of the water the same.
3. I unplug all items not being used such as TV, computer, phone chargers.
4. I wash all laundry in cold water and hang it out on clothes line outside to dry.
5. I don't eat out much & take lunch to work.
Do you have any other ideas on lowering bills that I might have overlooked or not thought about?
I did forget a few things didn't I? LOL.
I do turn off all of the lights when I leave the room and also have the new energy saving light bulbs.
I dont have a phone line & have what I call a decent cell-phone bill. (I don't have many options and its the cheapest)
I also have cable tv & cable internet. Both are bundled and have the cheapest on both.
As far as transportation, I ride bike to church since its close. I have to drive to work since its a ways away. All other workers live in different areas so no I cant car-pool.
I did forget a few things didn't I? LOL.
I do turn off all of the lights when I leave the room and also have the new energy saving light bulbs.
I dont have a phone line & have what I call a decent cell-phone bill. (I don't have many options and its the cheapest)
I also have cable tv & cable internet. Both are bundled and have the cheapest on both.
As far as transportation, I ride bike to church since its close. I have to drive to work since its a ways away. All other workers live in different areas so no I cant car-pool.
I did forget a few things didn't I? LOL.
I do turn off all of the lights when I leave the room and also have the new energy saving light bulbs.
I dont have a phone line & have what I call a decent cell-phone bill. (I don't have many options and its the cheapest)
I also have cable tv & cable internet. Both are bundled and have the cheapest on both.
As far as transportation, I ride bike to church since its close. I have to drive to work since its a ways away. All other workers live in different areas so no I cant car-pool.
Answer
1. Look at how you're preparing and cooking your food. Heating the oven is very expensive. Try cooking enough for leftovers, and then zapping them in the microwave on the next couple of days. That way you only go through the expensive heating once. Stovetops aren't as bad, but they still require more energy than a microwave because of how much heat is regularly and constantly lost into the room. Also, cooking on cold days and reheating leftovers on warm days can make a difference.
2. Look at how well your home is insulated. Are the windows tightly fit, or are there leaks? Is the door flush with the floor, or is there a small crack?
3. Buy your groceries in bulk or at discount groceries. A lot of people I know save money on groceries by buying everything non-perishable at a discount store or in bulk about once every one-two months, and then buying fresh foods at a closer store. You can also decrease food costs by buying the generic brands instead of the popular name brands. Test out the generic brands and see if they work for you--some are the same, some taste worse, and some actually taste better. It depends on your personal preference.
Also, shop based on sales. Aim to pick up whatever is on sale when you go the store. It can help to write a list of what you *need* ahead of time, and then only allow yourself to deviate from the list for items that are on sale. Try shopping in the bulk foods section for spices, too--you can buy only a small amount, and it's usually a LOT cheaper than buying then in a jar.
4. What's your commute like? Can you take the bus, bike, or walk?
5. Do you have cable, internet, and phone? A lot of companies will offer deals if you combine them all. How often do you use your cable TV? Many programs are available on the internet with a small delay legally now. What phone plan are you using? Do you have a home line and a cell phone? Do you need both?
6. This site (http://www.energyhog.org/) contains a lot of information about small ways to save energy. Some of the suggestions may work for you immediately (like installing different types of heaters or things like that), but will, over time, reduce your energy bill.
7. When you set your thermostat, did you set it so that you would always be a little uncomfortable if you wore the same thing all year round? What I mean is, did you set it so that it will be cool enough in the winter so that you have to wear a sweater around the house, but warm enough in the summer that you have to wear shorts? Is it set to automatically let the house cool/warm during the summer? Have you considered "natural" cooling and heating (such as opening the curtains while the sun is coming in the window during the window, and then closing them when the sun is down to hold in heat; opening windows at night when it's cooler in summer, etc.)?
8. What are you doing for fun in your spare time? There are a lot of small changes you can make when you do eat out (like don't get a drink with lunch, or go to clubs on nights that don't have a cover). When you have your friends over for dinner, make it a potluck instead of providing all of the food and drinks yourself.
9. Use re-usable things instead of one-use things. Use cloth towels and wash them instead of paper towels. Get cloth napkins if you don't have any (try a thrift store). Get good-quality tupperware that you can wash and re-use instead of plastic bags.
1. Look at how you're preparing and cooking your food. Heating the oven is very expensive. Try cooking enough for leftovers, and then zapping them in the microwave on the next couple of days. That way you only go through the expensive heating once. Stovetops aren't as bad, but they still require more energy than a microwave because of how much heat is regularly and constantly lost into the room. Also, cooking on cold days and reheating leftovers on warm days can make a difference.
2. Look at how well your home is insulated. Are the windows tightly fit, or are there leaks? Is the door flush with the floor, or is there a small crack?
3. Buy your groceries in bulk or at discount groceries. A lot of people I know save money on groceries by buying everything non-perishable at a discount store or in bulk about once every one-two months, and then buying fresh foods at a closer store. You can also decrease food costs by buying the generic brands instead of the popular name brands. Test out the generic brands and see if they work for you--some are the same, some taste worse, and some actually taste better. It depends on your personal preference.
Also, shop based on sales. Aim to pick up whatever is on sale when you go the store. It can help to write a list of what you *need* ahead of time, and then only allow yourself to deviate from the list for items that are on sale. Try shopping in the bulk foods section for spices, too--you can buy only a small amount, and it's usually a LOT cheaper than buying then in a jar.
4. What's your commute like? Can you take the bus, bike, or walk?
5. Do you have cable, internet, and phone? A lot of companies will offer deals if you combine them all. How often do you use your cable TV? Many programs are available on the internet with a small delay legally now. What phone plan are you using? Do you have a home line and a cell phone? Do you need both?
6. This site (http://www.energyhog.org/) contains a lot of information about small ways to save energy. Some of the suggestions may work for you immediately (like installing different types of heaters or things like that), but will, over time, reduce your energy bill.
7. When you set your thermostat, did you set it so that you would always be a little uncomfortable if you wore the same thing all year round? What I mean is, did you set it so that it will be cool enough in the winter so that you have to wear a sweater around the house, but warm enough in the summer that you have to wear shorts? Is it set to automatically let the house cool/warm during the summer? Have you considered "natural" cooling and heating (such as opening the curtains while the sun is coming in the window during the window, and then closing them when the sun is down to hold in heat; opening windows at night when it's cooler in summer, etc.)?
8. What are you doing for fun in your spare time? There are a lot of small changes you can make when you do eat out (like don't get a drink with lunch, or go to clubs on nights that don't have a cover). When you have your friends over for dinner, make it a potluck instead of providing all of the food and drinks yourself.
9. Use re-usable things instead of one-use things. Use cloth towels and wash them instead of paper towels. Get cloth napkins if you don't have any (try a thrift store). Get good-quality tupperware that you can wash and re-use instead of plastic bags.
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