Make every day a brown bag day.

Remember back to when you were a kid in school.  Your mom used to send you off each morning with a kiss and a brown paper lunch bag.  Maybe you even had a nifty lunch box.  The point is, you were taking your lunch to school with you.  Today your lunch at work could cost you $10 to $20 a day depending on where you live and work.  A sack lunch with a sandwich or side salad or leftovers will probably run you under $2.

You do not have to bring your lunch every day, though it sure would save you some money if you did, but try it for two or three days a week.  You could even bring your breakfast instead of going through the drive through at McDonald's or Burger King as well.  You will eat healthier and save some money in the process.

Free or Fee, that is the question.

Why pay for something when you can get it for free?  We don't mind spending $3 at the video rental store or even $20 for a movie at the department store.  We don't mind spending $30 a month on premium movie channels.  We don't mind paying $10 a month to Netflix or to Blockbuster Online.  Have you checked your local library?  Many of these movies may be 100% free for you to watch.

Libraries are not just for books these days.  Most libraries have movies, Cds and games.  Some are older and may be special interest but many of the movies in your local library may still be in the new release section at the video store.  Free is always better.  Going to the library for a movie may take some getting used to but give it a try and save $3 to $10 a month.  It adds up.

If your library does not have movies or CDs, ask them to add the section.  You could even volunteer to help get them started with a DVD/CD drive for people to donate their older DVDs and CDs.  People can also make monetary donations to libraries with stipulations on what is bought with the money.

FREE! After Mail-in Rebate!

This Holiday Season it seems that every company is trying to get you to buy their product.  In fact some companies make it so that their products are almost 100% free to you, after mail-in rebate.  This is really great for the consumer if a few things are done to insure that you get your rebate.

Many companies have started using "instant" rebates or "on-line" rebates but many are still doing a mail-in rebate system.  This generally requires the consumer to fill out some paperwork, make some copies of a receipt and send it in for a rebate to be mailed to you within 30 to 90 days.  Yes, there is a little work involved but it sure helps to save money by doing this, especially on big ticket items like Flatscreen TV's or Blu-ray players.

There are some things that the company does count on to not give you the rebate.  Most are very time sensitive and must have a postmark by a certain date.  Best rule is to fill out the rebate forms the day you get the item.  Make a notation on your calendar, you may need this later.  Most companies bank on the idea that you will miss the deadline and they won't have to pay.  Be sure to make notes on your calendar of when to expect your rebate so that you can start calling the company if the rebate is later than they say it should be.

Be sure to make a copy of all the forms and the receipts for your records.  You may need this later as well.  Most companies are very good about issuing the receipt checks but some are notorious for not issuing the rebates.  Having a little bit of info to provide proof that you filed for your rebate can make the difference.

Whether is is a $1 rebate or a $500 rebate, there is no sense in not filing the proper paperwork to get the money back.  The company promised it and the rebate was probably a factor in you purchasing the item.  Make the most of your money.

Sometimes the fastest isn't the best!

It seems that everyone wants the fastest Internet speed that they have available in their area.  It must be a "keeping up with the Jones'" thing because there is so little difference between the fastest and the second fastest and even the third fastest tier of Internet speed that most would never even notice the difference.  That is until the bill comes. 

The average household now has three to five computers connected to the Internet.  Just 10 years ago the average was just two computers.  Speeds have gone from dialup to almost directly connected to the Internet.  ISP's have continually added higher speeds as fast as they were available to them.  The "tier's" start at around $10 a month and can be as much as $100 a month.  The question is how much value is the highest tier?

If you have four computers constantly downloading four different video feeds, then yes, the highest tier is probably for you.  However if it is rare that you have simultaneous video downloads than you may be fine by picking a speed closer to the middle tier.  You can save $10 to $50 a month just by dropping your Internet speed.  That is $120 to $600 a year in savings.

Save a bundle by putting together a bundle!

 How much do you spend each month on your home phone, your cell phone, your cable and your internet?   Combining these services with one single provider can save you hundreds of dollars a year.  They do not only save you money, they can save you time and effort by providing you with one single bill.  This single bil is much easier to budget for as well because it is usually the same amount every month.

Most companies will allow you to bundle three of your services into one account, while there are other companies that you can bundle all of your services.  Just check to see what kind of offer they have.  Cable companies started this a while back and companies like AT&T followed suit.

If you live outside of town and do not have a cable provider, there are still options.  We bundled our cellphone, got DSL and Direct TV in our bundle.  We ended up saving about $35 a month, which does not seem like all that much until you look at the yearly savings of around $420.  Not a bad deal, huh?

Replace Your Heating and Cooling System to Save Money

Heating and cooling systems have come a long way in the last few decades.  It is recommended that you upgrade your systems every 10 to 15 years.  Systems break down when they are most needed.  You A/C will never break down in the middle of the winter and your heater will never stop working in July.  Have a heating and air contractor come give you a free estimate.  In fact, have several different companies come out and give you an estimate.  Newer systems are also better for the environment.

Some things to keep in mind when you are in the market for a new system are cost, efficiency and ease of maintenance.  A new A/C system can cost $upwards of $5000 and a new furnace can be over $3500 so you want to get the best system for the money.  Never let a sales person talk you into a system that is bigger than you need.  If you have a 1600 square foot house you do not need a system that will cool 4000 square feet you will just end up paying more to cool your area.

When thinking about a new heating system you may want to consider an outdoor wood furnace.  Some of these systems are much more efficient than standard furnaces.  The investment may be a bit high but it will pay off in the long run. Shopping around will get you the best deal.  Just a side note, spring and fall many heating and air companies run specials that can save you a lot of money.

No Cost Energy Savings Tips For Your Home or Apartment

Here are a few no cost energy savings tips that can help you to save some money:

1.  Turn that thermostat down - For every degree that you lower the thermostat you can save up to 5% on your heating cost.  This could translate to $5 to $10 a degree a year.

2.  Open the curtains and let the heat in - The sun is the most efficient and low cost way to heat.  Opening the curtains in the winter time will allow the sun to heat your home.  It may not seem like much but every little bit counts.  Be sure to close the curtains in the evening to keep the heat in.

3.  Don't block the air flow from vents - If your vents are blocked by furniture you are not heating efficiently.  Move objects out of the way of the air flow.  Vents should be pointed to the walls if in the center of the room and to the center of the room if they are near the walls.

4.  Don't let the heat escape up the chimney - If you are not using your fireplace make sure that the flue is closed and any covers on the fireplace are closed.  An open unused fireplace can allow 10 to 15% of your heat to escape.

Wait for the Sale Before You Buy Christmas Decoations

Christmas decorations build up over time.  They can be used from year to year but no matter how many decorations you have there is always something that catches your eye.  You may end up changing the theme from year to year as well.  Paying full price is both costly and unnecessary.

Christmas decorations are now out as soon as the Halloween stuff goes in the clearance section these days.  By Thanksgivings many stores have already put their Christmas decorations on sale at a reduced rate.  Hobby Lobby, Joann Fabrics, and Michael's as well as many other craft stores carry a huge selection of decorations and they run weekly sales.  Many offer 40 to 60% specials as well.  Check their websites and see what is on sale when.  There is always a sale going on.

Another option is to go to yard sales and garage sales close to the Holidays.  Many people that change themes sell their old stuff at sales.  Thrift stores and flea markets also do big decoration sales close to the holidays.  But the best way is to buy the decorations for next year when they go on clearance.  Shop around and save a few dollars.

Santa Isn't the Only One That Needs a Clean Chimney

It is time for the first fire of the season and you clean out all of the ashes out of your fireplace, dust the cobwebs out of the flue and remove the cover from the top of the chimney, you're done right?  Wrong.  Chimneys build up soot when the smoke passes through.  This soot and tar is flammable and can cause a house fire.  It is time to hire a chimney sweep to clean your chimney.  Santa isn't the only one who will be happy that the chimney is clean.

Though there are a lot of products on the market that claim to be just as good as hiring a real live chimney sweep, there is no substitute to experience.  Most of these products work by creating an intensely hot fire with the idea of burning off the soot and tar.  In some cases that actually makes things worse.  A chimney sweep is going to use brushes and physically remove the soot.

For about $100 a trained experienced chimney sweep will come to your home and clean your chimney the right way.  Take the potential disaster out of the equation and have the chimney ready to go before you need to build that first fire.  Check your local paper or your local telephone directory and call around for a few quotes.  You will be glad that you did.

Is You Home Insulated Enough?

If you live in a house the chances are that you do not have enough insulation in your attic.  Depending on the zone you live in the recommendations for "R" values are much higher than the "R" value construction codes.  Rule of thumb is if the insulation is 6 inches or less(R-19) in your attic you need more.  There really isn't such a thing as too much insulation.  Roll insulation usually has the "R" Value on the paper side of the insulation.

While spray in insulation is one of the most efficient forms of insulation it can be an expensive investment.  The investment can and will return over the years of lower heating and cooling costs.  Be sure to check around with different companies in your area to find out what it might cost. 

The good thing about roll insulation is that you can do it a little bit at a time as your finances allow.  You will start to notice the results almost immediately.  In addition to insulating the attic ceiling you may want to go under your home or basement and insulate the underside of the floors.  This is a bit messy but is really worth it, especially in the wintertime.

Programmable Thermostats Can Save you up to $150 a Year

Programmable thermostats have begun to take over as the thermostat of choice in homes and apartments all over the country.  They have also come down in price by a great deal.  Now for under $100 a year you can save up to $150 each and every year.  You do not have to be a home owner to have one either.  Most apartment buildings now furnish them for you and if they do not, they are very easy to install.

The way it works is you get to choose when the heat or cool comes on.  You can program it to not heat or cool during the day while you are at work but to come on an hour before you get home.  You can program it to drop or raise the temperature while you are asleep as well.  Throwing an extra blanket on the bed and turning the heat down can save you a lot of money in the long run.

Reduce Air Leakage in Your Home and Save Big Money

There are many places in most homes (even new homes) where your heating and cooling air escapes.  Drafts around windows, doors, pipes electrical light switches and outlets can cause an average of 10% of your energy cost to escape your house.  10% may not seem like very much but if your average heating and cooling bill is $200 a month you would be throwing away $240 a year.  Wouldn't that $240 be nice this time of year so close to Christmas?

One of the quickest money saving things you can do is caulk, seal, and weatherstrip every seams, cracks, and any other openings that can let your air escape.  Large leas can often be found around chimney pipe openings, recessed lighting, wiring and plumbing.  You might want to look into having some infrared photos done of your house on a really hot day and really cold day to see where the worst leaks are.

Seal Your Duct Work and Close Your Vents to Save Money

Check all of your duct work for leaks, disconnects and proper insulation.  The duct work will most likely be in either your attic or your basement .Sealing the leaks can reduce the energy needed to heat your house by making sure the heat gets to the rooms you want heated.  To seal the leaks use mastic or UL approved duct-sealing tape.  Contrary to popular belief duct tape may be really good for fixing cars and making wallets but it is very inefficient for actually sealing ducts.  Duct tape can however be used to tape insulation to your duct work.  Please note that there are types of insulation specifically used for insulating duct work and this should be used.  Your annual heating bill can be cut by 10 to 20% by investing in some inexpensive insulation and tape.

Another thing  that can help to reduce your heating and cooling costs is to close off the vents in the rooms that you are not using.  This will direct the air to other rooms in your house that you use more often.  Closing the vents in unused rooms also increases the airflow to the vents that are open and make things heat up and cool down much faster.

Heating System a Tune-up Saves Money

Call your local heating contractor to schedule a tune-up of your heating system before you start running it every day.  A simple tune-up can reduce the energy needed to heat efficiently in your home.  This can reduce your heating costs by 5 to 10% or more.  The potential savings are only $25 to $45 a year, but proper maintenance can save you thousands in the long run.

More on Black Friday

Just a friendly reminder that if you don't need it don't buy it.  We know the Black Friday deals are quite tempting.  But try and remember that if you are going to spend $400 just to gain 10 inches on your LCD Flatsceen TV that you are probably not going to notice that big of a difference.

If you are planning to do some Christmas shopping at Black Friday try and keep to your list.  Try not to buy things just because they are a good deal.  Those deals will be around later in the year when the next round of Flatscreen TVs come out.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!  Thank you for following our blog on how to save money.  Tomorrow is Black Friday so don't forget to be sensible in your shopping.  Overspending is dangerous, especially in the current economy.  Saving every little bit you can will make things better in the future.  We hope your Thanksgiving is a happy and safe one.

Keep That Door Closed!

With the Holidays come chilly weather and expensive heating costs.  When your family and friends join you for your Holiday party or dinner, encourage them to drop their coats off in the spare bedroom and keep the door closed.

If you have friends or family who smoke cigarettes and you do not smoke inside your house or apartment try to encourage them to all smoke together to minimize the amount of times the doors are opened.  If you have a garage, encourage smokers to use that as the smoking area.  Less heat will escape if you use interior doors to the garage.  

Every time the door is opened a little heat escapes and a little cold sneaks in. It is okay to make rules about opening the door because it is your place and you are paying the bills.  When you are saving money every little bit counts.  Thinking up creative ways to save money is fun, try some on your own and send them our way.  We'll post them for all to read.

Saving Money This Holiday Season

The Holiday Season is upon us and that means spending more than we have.  That has been the theme for many years.  It is time to break free and and not participate any longer.  This year why not try something a little different.  Something that does not add undue debt to you.


This year my family is doing handmade and or recycled gifts.  The rules are pretty simple, either you make the gift or you buy it from a thrift store or flea market.  You can also give something that you already own.  All of the kids are now old enough to finally appreciate the fact that spending money you do not have can cause problems.

Another option is to set a cap on spending for gifts.  $5.00 to $10.00 is a great price range.  This will insure that no one gets any more or any less than anyone else.  By putting a cap on spending you are being responsible yet making the gift buying a little bit challenging.  There are several different Dollar Stores out there that have many fun gifts.

Black Friday Deals

Yes, it is that time again, Black Friday.  The one day of the year when you can save up to 75% off at many of your favorite stores.  Some people plan their attack and send any family member with a car to the different stores to get the very best deals possible.  The stores get to dump a lot of their year end inventory and you can save a bundle.

It isn't just about electronics any more, either.  Yes, you can get a new LCD or Plasma or even a new LED flat screen TV for a fraction of what they have been all year long.  But you can also get towels and sheets and dishes and clothes.  The deals are so good in some stores that in recent years fights have broken out in the middle of the isles.

Be sure to read the ads to see which items are going on sale at what time.  Walmart has started some of their deals at 12:01 a.m. Friday rather than doing all of them at 5:00 a.m.  This should help cut down on the crowds that you may have experienced in recent years.

Though most stores have their ads on line it may be tough to figure out where they are on their site.  Black-Friday.net has done a very good job of getting copies of all the ads scanned.  They also have conveniently given a listing of each item that is on the ads.  There are some stores listed that you might not have even thought would do a Black Friday sale as well.

As you plan your assault, try and remember that just because something is priced lower than normal does not mean that you absolutely need it.  Remember to shop responsibly.

Wrap Your Pipes

You don't much think about how much energy is lost through heat loss on your water pipes. Depending on the size of your house and the distance from your water heater to your shower or sink you could be wasting a lot of hot water. The water in the pipes will average out to the temperature in which the pipes lay. That is why the further the source of hot water the longer it takes to warm up in the shower or the sink.

There are several things that can be done to keep from losing heat. Wrapping the pipes with some type of insulation is the best way. Several companies make foam insulation that goes around pipes. These generally are slit so that they can go over the pipe easily and be removed if a repair is ever needed. Be sure to get the right size insulation for the pipe.

Should you insulate the cold water line? It does help in the long run to insulate all of the pipes. Insulating the cold water pipes will also help to keep them from freezing in the winter time. If you have a rental house ask your land-person to either wrap the pipes or allow you to do it and take the cost off of your next months rent. This is an improvement that most home owners should do.

Remember every little bit helps. You won't just be saving money, you will be helping the environment. If you have any suggestions we would love to hear them.

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Change your Filter.

The filter in your air conditioner or central heat and air conditioner helps to keep dust and other particles out of the air. It also keeps dust and other particles from entering the mechanical parts of your system. Window unit air conditioners and heaters usually have a washable filter and central heat and air units usually have a disposable one.

For the window unit filters it is recommended that you clean the filter after every 120 to 320 hours of use. That is about one to two weeks of use. Certain conditions may require cleaning more often. Usually you can use a shop vac to clean the bulk of the dust out of the filter. Then you can gently spray out the rest with either a shower head or spayer head at your sink. Allow the filter to dry and then replace it.

Central heat and air units generally use a disposable filter, but there is a trend toward washable filters for that as well. It is recommended by most manufacturers that you replace your filter every two weeks to month. you can prolong the life slightly by vacuuming out the filter once a week or so. This is almost necessary if you happen to have pets. Otherwise just throw the filters away and put in a new one. The filters are usually sold in packs of two or three.

Changing the filters not only help to keep your air free of particles that could cause allergies it can also keep your air conditioner or central heat and air unit from needing costly repairs. If a unit is going to break down it is going to be when you most need it. Keep those filters clean and save money while doing it.

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Save More Money on Heating Your Home

This week, we have been talking about ways to help lower your heating cost. I wanted to share a product that I have been using for a couple of years. It is called the Water Eater™ and it has more than one function. The main function it is sold for it to absorb moisture around windows and doors. It also works great for blocking drafts in older houses.

In the small town I live in, most of the houses are 50 to 75 years old. A lot happens to a house after that long. Gaps start appearing around windows and doors. Sometimes it is impossible to close all the gaps. You can just about see your heating dollars blowing out of those cracks.

Purchasing and installing weather stripping can help but the Water Eater™ takes no tools or any know how to use. Just put it in the windowsill and let it do the job. They help to take the moisture out of the air around it. I have no idea how it works but it does work. I purchased mine from Improvementscatalog.com and though they may seem a little pricey they make up for it in the long run. Cheaper heating bills and not having to repaint my windows almost every year from the water damage associated with condensation has made it all worth the money I spent.

Have you had really good luck with a product or really bad luck? We would like to know. Leave us a comment or e-mail us at tightenyourbelt@gmail.com

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Ceiling fans can help keep you warm in the winter.

Some may not know that ceiling fans have two directions, forward and reverse. Knowing which mode is best for what season can help to keep your heating and cooling costs down. In this economy every penny counts. It is best to check with the manufacturer of your fan to find out the best way to change the direction of the fan blades but most have a switch on the side just below the blades.

In the forward mode the fan turns and pushes air downward. This is used in the summertime to give you a 'wind chill' effect. In the winter time the fan should be in reverse mode. In the reverse mode the fan forces air upward which helps to circulate the air in the room.

The direction the blades turn for forward and reverse will vary depending on the manufacturer. Without reading the instructions that came with your fan or looking up the model on-line the best way to tell if your ceiling fan is in forward or reverse mode is to stand directly under it. If you feel air blown your way it is in forward mode and if you do not feel the air you are in reverse. Remeber when you do decide to change the direction of the fan blades to make sure that it is at a complete stop before trying to flip the switch.

While we are on the subject of ceiling fans it is good to note that you should clean your fan blades at least every week or two. The buildup of dust actually causes more drag and causes the motor to work harder. This will cause the life of your ceiling fan to be cut short. So, to insure a long life with your fan, clean the blades! Swiffer actually makes an attachment just for cleaning ceiling fans. Though I have never used the Swiffer for my fan, I have heard that it works quite well as long as you maintain a routine and don't let the blades get too dirty.

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Winter nears, are you ready?

As winter approaches it is time to start thinking of ways to cut our heating costs. You may not know this but one easy way to do this is open your drapes on a sunny day. By opening your drapes you let the sun warm your room. It may not seem like much but every little bit can help. Especially if you live in a cooler region. Just remember to close the drapes before it gets dark. Heating your room by one or two degrees takes a little stress off your central heat.

Don't have central heat? Maybe you have a fireplace or wood stove. Remember to buy your wood in the off season. Prices for wood can actually double when it gets close to time to need it. You can get some excellent deals on wood in the early spring into summertime. People want to sell the last of what they cut before it is warm enough to not need it. If you happen to go this route, be sure to cover your wood pile and protect it from the elements.

In the coming weeks we will have plenty more money saving tips and tricks. We will also be doing some product reviews that will help you to choose some nifty items for making your house more efficient for both winter and summertime. We welcome your comments and suggestions.

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Dear Piggy I Owe You!

Dear Piggy,

I know you feel the crunch of the continued poor economy. I am very sorry that I took everything out of you. I promise one day to refill you!

yours,
Super Broke





Unfortunately this is becoming the rule and not the exception! Some of us have gotten to the point where all of our piggy banks contain nothing but IOU's! Most of us have cut all the corners to the point that it is round! There are those of you that are still have some areas that can take a little more cutting.

We are going to use my dear mother for example. My mom and dad are by no means rich. My dad is a school teacher and makes under $50k a year. Fortunately they do not have a house payment or a car payment, they own both outright. My mom has a vegetable garden. She never has to buy tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, lettuce, peppers, radishes, or peas!

Her one weakness is magazines! Southern Living, Country Living, etc. are stacked up all over the place! With the price of magazines today I am surprised that anyone would shell out so much for something that is 3/4 ads! She literally spends $100 a month or more on magazines. Yes, it makes her happy but what would you have if you put that $100 a month into a savings account or even a piggy bank? $1200 a year!!!

What are you spending your money on?
Cigarettes $5 a pack a day = $1825 a year
Starbucks Coffee $3.50 = $1277.50 a year
Ordering Lunch at work $7.50 = $1875 a year
A 16oz soda a day $0.95 = $349.50 a year
A Candy Bar 3 times a week $.75 = $117 a year

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Affordable Glasses isn't a thing of the past!

I have decent Optical Insurance. It has a low deductible and pays for quite a bit. However, I recently did a little research that was quite shocking to me! I wanted to find out what it would cost me to get one pair of single vision glasses with an eye exam. The following might scare you, I know it did me!

The Eye Exam was quoted at $115 a little high because I was a new patient. That I could kind of understand. But when I asked about frames they had pretty much just two tiers. The lower tier started at $85 and the upper tier started at $250. That is just for the frames! Single vision lenses with no coating of any kind were an additional $150! Even with my decent optical insurance I was going to be out $200+ (that is the deductible plus the part that insurance wouldn't cover)

After that news hit me I started doing some research. Wal Mart has optical centers in most of them now. The price for an single vision eye exam? Around $60 and that isn't so bad. The frames and lenses were still quite high so I decided to look online. There are many low cost places on line! You can actually get overwhelmed if you are not careful. I decided to look at one place that a couple of my friends had mentioned. Zenni Optical.

They have glasses starting at $12.95 Yep, that is COMPLETE glasses, frames and lenses and a case and a cleaning cloth! And it is only $3.95 shipping (there are higher options but that is the base) There is a slight drawback, some of the glasses are not available depending on your pupil distance. Please note that you have to have the pupil distance measurement to order glasses and most Optometrist do not normally put that on your prescription so be sure to ask.

So, I decided to order a pair. I didn't like the cheap ones so I settled on a pair of $30 glasses. My prescription is pretty strong so there was a small fee for the stronger lenses. I opted to not get any coatings on the lenses as well to save on price. Total price on my order was $43. I have been wearing the glasses for about a year and I have had no problems of any kind.

So to summarize my eye exam was $56.00 and my glasses delivered was $43 for a grand total of $99! My deductible for my optical insurance is $100. So, I got my eye exam and my glasses for less than the deductible on my insurance. How is that for saving some money!

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