How to Tighten Your Belt and Save Money!

Make every day a brown bag day.

2010-12-17T08:30:00.000-06:00

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.

2010-12-16T08:30:00.001-06:00

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!

2010-12-15T08:30:00.000-06:00

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!

2010-12-14T08:30:00.001-06:00

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!

2010-12-13T09:37:00.000-06:00

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

2010-12-10T08:30:00.017-06:00

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

2010-12-09T08:30:00.000-06:00

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

2010-12-08T08:30:00.001-06:00

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

2010-12-07T08:30:00.001-06:00

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?

2010-12-06T08:30:00.002-06:00

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

2010-12-04T08:30:00.001-06:00

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

2010-12-03T08:30:00.001-06:00

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

2010-12-02T08:30:00.002-06:00

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

2010-12-01T08:22:00.000-06:00

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

2010-11-26T04:00:00.000-06:00

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!

2010-11-25T08:00:00.000-06:00

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!

2010-11-24T11:00:00.002-06:00

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

2010-11-23T09:53:00.000-06:00

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

2010-11-22T11:00:00.001-06:00

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

2010-11-10T04:00:00.000-06:00

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.

2010-11-09T08:22:00.003-06:00

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

2010-11-04T11:04:00.003-05:00

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.

2010-11-03T09:29:00.004-05:00

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?

2010-11-02T11:41:00.005-05:00

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!

2010-08-05T09:26:00.009-05:00

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!

2010-08-04T13:59:00.006-05:00

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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Cut up your credit cards and be wealthy!

2009-08-04T07:48:00.002-05:00

Credit cards are the bane of existence for many people. Once you start it is very difficult to stop, unless of course you miss a couple of payments and then they tend to help you stop! Even a credit card with a good interest rate is still a bad deal! I know, it is for emergencies! You know, like being hungry on the way home from work and seeing a special on pizza or burgers! You run low on gas and don't have any cash on you. Emergencies!

Now days almost every single bank offers you a debit card with a Visa or Mastercard logo. These work everywhere that credit cards are taken. The great thing about them is you can only spend what you have. O.K. Some accounts offer overdraft privileged with their accounts. Let me just say one thing, overdrafting your account is not a privilidge it is stupidity! Last year alone I had over $1700 in overdraft priviledge fees! This year I overdrafted one item in January by a simple math mistake.

Using your debit card instead of a credit card is the way to go, but how do you stop using your credit card(s)? The answer is simple but it may shock you. Take a pair of scissors and cut them into a million pieces! You don't need the card to pay your bill, the credit card companies provide you with a statement eqach month with a bill. Simply write your check and pay the bill. No card needed!

Some people think that if you don't have any credit cards you have horrible credit. Well, credit cards are one of the top 5 reasons people have bad credit. Eliminate paying more for everything you buy! If you buy a $400 item on credit and pay it out you will end up paying much more than $400. Let me share a little story with you.

A few years back after a long struggle getting my credt back on track after a divorce I applied for a Capitol One credit card. The whole resaon for the card was to build credit. I had planned to put around $10 or $20 a month on the card and pay it off each month. Well, my air conditioner went out in the middle of summer. At the time I was living near Houston, TX where the humidity is always around 100% and the summer tempatures reached 105 degrees on a regular basis.

So, I took my new credit card down to Sears. My new shiny, never been used credit card with a limit of $250. Remember I was rebuilding my credit so it was a low limit to begin with. I bought an airconditioner and after tax and all it was $238. Long story short, a few months later the Enron debacle happened and I lost my job. I had a credit card that I could not pay. It went to default.

Six months ago I paid my last payment to the collection agency on that $238 air conditioner. Grand total? $1748.89 with all the fees and penalties and interest. That was the most expensive airconditioner of all times! Cut up your credit cards! Cut up your credit cards! CUT UP YOUR CREDIT CARDS!

Yesterday I mentioned taking a little additional money and adding it to your smallest debt and paying it off. Well, you can see where that would be a good thing now. The economy is bad, yes, we all see that. If you can pay off one credit card you can take the minimum payment that you were paying on it along with the extra money from being frugal and apply it to the next credit card or debt an pay it off! Always pay off the debts in order of amount smallest to largest.

That is it for today. I honestly hope that you can get out from under the thumb of the credit card companies. We'll discuss it more later.

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Start at the Beginning! Save and Get Out of DEBT!

2009-08-03T08:36:00.004-05:00

We have talked some about saving money on bills and in every day life. What we haven't touched on just yet is getting rid of debt. With all the tips I have mentioned you should be saving at least $25 a month by now! That is nothing to sneeze at! You are finally building a foundation!

Now, I would like to offer a way to make that $25 a month grow and grow very quickly! I am not talking about putting it in a piggy bank or investing. Well, I am talking about investing but not in the way that you see it. I am talking about paying off your debts with it!

Some of you just read that and thought "What are you talking about?" You probably think I am crazy! O.K. I might be crazy but lets talk about it for a minute or two. How many credit cards do you have? How much do you have in student loans? How much do you owe your buddy at work, or your mom or your dad?

Today try and make a list of every single debt you have. This will be a daunting task. You need to know how much you owe! After you list every single debt, organize them into the smallest to the largest. Remember, $5 for lunch your buddy loaned you last week is a debt. So, list ALL the debts you have!

Now, here is the fun part. Take that $25 you have saved due to the tips you found here and apply it to the smallest debts you have. Keep doing this until the smallest debt is paid off. This is in addition to the minimum payment.

For example lets say you have a credit card with $500 credit limit. It is close to maxed out. If you look at your statement, 1/3 of your minimum payment or more is interest. That means 2/3 of your payment is principle. This of course is best case if you have a low interest rate. So your minimum payment is probably somewhere in the $15 to $20 range. So, you take your $25 and add it to your minimum payment and you can pay that card off in much less time. If you just pay the minimum it will take no less than 36 months to pay off $500 and you will have paid over $200 interest in 3 years on a mere $500!

Interest will eat you alive! So, get rid of it! Pay off all your credit cards and cut them up! If you were to take your credit card payments and put them into a savings account you would EARN money! Call me crazy if you want but I am down to a single credit card and it will be paid off in two months. After it is paid off I am going to apply what I used to spend on my credit card to a savings account and I will have money that is earning ME money, not the credit card companies.

Think about it and let me know how you feel about it!

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Keeping Your Cool Without Breaking the Bank!

2009-07-29T09:34:00.004-05:00

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For some of us it has been a very hot summer and the electric bill makes us need to catch our breath when we open it! My electric bill doubled between June and July! Fortunately for me I had already started trying to save money on my electric bill so it was not as big of a shock as it could have been!

One thing I do is set my thermostat to 76 when I am going to be out of the house for more than 4 hours and if I am going to be gone for the entire day I set it to 80. When I get home I turn it over to 68 or 70 for an hour and then set it to 72 before I go to bed. Some of you have programmable thermostats and that makes things much easier.

Another good trick if you have a window unit and not Central Air is to put a box fan about 3 feet away from the unit blowing into the room. This will help to cool things down much faster and keeps your air conditioner from over working. Using ceiling fans also help a lot if you have them. Be sure you have the ceiling fan set to turn the correct direction for summer. In the summer the blades should be turning counter-clockwise.

If you live in a dry area, such as the desert, you may need to add some moisture to the air. This can be accomplished in many ways, the most common way is to put a pan of water on the stove. There is no need to turn on a burner or anything as it will evaporate on its own. Many people also put flower vases around the house. This is a way to add moisture without looking like you are doing it at all!

If you live in a very wet area such as coastal or near a large lake, you may have too much moisture in the air and you may need a dehumidifier. Be sure to not over do it! You want to remove some of the moisture but not all of it. There is a happy medium and it is different for every person.

On cool evenings, when the temperature is in the mid to lower 70s turn the air conditioner off and open the windows! This could save you $8 to $10 a day on your cooling bill! Be sure to close the house up before you leave for work the next day. If you have plenty of insulation in your house you may not even want to turn the air back on until the evenings are hot again.

If you live in a house you can also put a sprinkler on the roof and run it at low volume during the hottest part of the day. This helps to dissipate the heat more quickly. Also an attic fan can be very helpful as temperatures may reach 130+ in your attic. By simply venting out the hot air your air conditioner will work more efficiently.

That is it for today. Please feel free to leave any comments that might help out! If you have questions please let me know and I will do my best to answer them!

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Summer Money Saving Tips!

2009-06-07T08:37:00.004-05:00

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Summer is quickly approaching in some areas of the world and other areas are in full summer mode. Finding ways to save money while still being comfortable may sometimes seem difficult. Here are a few things that might help a bit.

Set A/C Thermostat 2 degrees warmer in summer! Just 2 degrees difference can save you hundreds of dollars a year. Your body is going to be unlikely to notice the difference between 70 degrees and 72 degrees. Getting an energy efficient fan or using a ceiling fan to help move the air around should counter act the difference in temperature while saving on the electric bill. Be sure to check the direction your ceiling fan is turning if you have the option. One setting is for summer and the other is for winter.

Change the filter on your A/C intake on a regular basis. Remember if you have pets you may need to change the filter more often. Check to see what the manufacturers recommendations are and check them often. It is also a good idea to get your entire system checked out to make sure all the ducts are clean and clear of any debris. Much like a car, the better care you take of your A/C system, the less it has to work and that saves you money!

Run your washing machine, dryer and dishwasher later in the evening when electricity is less expensive. Turn off your drying cycle on your dishwasher. These things will not only help save money by themselves they will also be producing heat in the evenings when it is cooler and won't cause your A/C to work harder.

If you have a metal roof of any kind consider putting a water sprinkler on the roof and run it at a low pressure during the hottest part of the day. You want to set it so that water is not pouring off your roof but just dripping. As the water evaporates it helps to cool off the roof. Make sure as well that your vent fans on your roof are working properly. You may even want to consider adding exhaust fans to help vent the heat buildup from your attic.

That is it for today. If you have questions or comments please feel free to send them! Saving money gets easier the more you try!

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Save Money Every Day at Lunch!

2009-05-18T08:40:00.004-05:00

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How much money do you spend each day on lunch? $5, $10 or even $15? At $5 a day for lunch you will spend about $1,250 a year! At $10 a mean you'll spend $2,500 and at $15 a meal you'll spend $3,750 a year just on lunch! There are ways to bring the pricing down and save some money.

First, take left overs to work for lunch. Sometimes that is not what you want to eat but if you take left overs you are doing two things. One, you are saving money from not buying lunch. Second, you are not wasting your food from the previous evening.

If you have kids, make their lunch for them to take to school. You might get a few complaints but at least you are saving some money. By making their lunch you are also providing them with a healthy meal, at least we hope!

Saving money is not hard to do, it just takes some determination and some discipline. We will have more money saving tips very soon so be sure to check back often!

TIP: Eat your leftovers for lunch the next day! 75% of all leftovers end up in the trash! What a waste!

TIP: Take your lunch to work at least three times a week! The average lunch costs $10! Save up to $50 a week by bringing your leftovers to work for lunch!

TIP: Make your kids sack lunches for school like in olden times! Yes, they will complain, but they are going to complain anyway!

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Money Saving Tips for a Stressed Economy!

2009-04-20T09:01:00.004-05:00

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In today's stressed economy it seems next to impossible to put any money away for a rainy day! In fact, for most people it has been raining for months so to speak. It is time to tighten our belts and try to save money anywhere we can! There are some simple ways to save money in your every day life.

I have direct deposit for my day job paychecks. I leave money for my bills in the account, a small buffer for the "oops" factor, then I take out the rest for things like groceries and other items. I keep only $10 and $20 bills in my wallet. Anything smaller than that goes into my pocket. When I get home, all of my change, $1's and $5's go into a jar. At the end of each month I take my jar to the bank and put the money into a savings account! It adds up quick.

I learned a while back that if I cannot afford it I should not buy it. Each and every time I decide to buy something I save up the money needed to buy it. I do not use my credit card any more for things I cannot afford. If I do not have the money on hand I go without until I have the money for it. This saves me a lot of grief! The idea of having a credit card for an emergency tends to cause the definition of emergency to change!

Along the same line, NEVER borrow money to pay off a debt! Most of the debt consolidation ads you see end up costing you more money in the long run. Most credit card companies and utilities companies will accept any payment. Many times you can work out a special payment plan that will keep you from being turned over to collections. Doctors, Dentists and Hospitals also will work with you. You never know what you can work out until you ask!

If you have been with a credit card company for over a year and never missed a payment, never been late with a payment and in otherwise good standing, it never hurts to ask for a lower interest rate. It is amazing how much you can save just by dropping your interest rate a couple of percent. If they say no, you may want to look for a card with a lower rate and transfer the balance. You can at least use that as a bargaining chip!

One of the best ways to save money is to start a budget and stick to it! Equalized billing from the utilities companies is a must for setting a budget. Set up an envelope for each expense you have, rent, electric, water, etc. Even set up an envelope for entertainment! Once the money is gone it is gone. Stick to the budget and you can actually save money!

If you find yourself in need of a little extra cash you could get a part time job. There are many places that just need someone for two to four hours a day two or three times a week. Find a job that fits the time you have available. If you cannot get a part time job try selling your rarely used items on-line. Craigslist or local bulletin boards do not charge a fee and you can sell just about anything!

If you are creative you can sit down and come up with many more ways to save a little money. If you do, be sure to leave a comment so you can help other people as well. Below are a few tips that you can tweet to your twitter account.

TIP: Use cash and put your change in a jar! You'll be surprised how fast your change will add up!

TIP: If you cannot afford it DON'T buy it! Save up money for what you want to buy.

TIP: Never borrow money to pay off a debt! Refinancing to pay off debt is just redistributing your debt not actually paying it off!

TIP: Ask your credit card company for a better interest rate! If you have had a full year of paying on time and your account is in good status why be punished?

TIP: Start a budget and stick to it! If you stick to your budget it has a 100% better chance of actually working!

TIP: Sell rarely or never used items on Craigs list or a local message board! Why keep junk that you don't use and don't need?

How to save Money with your Car!

2009-04-08T08:40:00.004-05:00

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The economy is going to get worse before it gets better, or so says the Associated Press. Fortunately, there are ways to form a status quo by saving money and Tightening our Belts! One of the ways we can do that is with your car! Believe it or not, your car costs a lot of money to operate! Here are some ways to reduce that cost along with reducing your carbon footprint!

Changing to oil every 3,000 or so miles is more than just a ploy to get money out of you! By changing the oil you extend the life of the engine and reduce your carbon emissions. Changing to oil does not take a brain surgeon, just look at the guys that change your oil at Jiffy Lube! There was a time when everyone changed their own oil. You can save $20 to $50 by changing it yourself! You can find the information on how to change your oil by doing a search on any search engine!

In addition to changing the oil, a tune up can greatly improve your gas mileage and reduce your carbon footprint! A general tune up costs around $100 to $150 to have it done. Here again, it is not rocket science and you should be able to do it yourself and save $75 to $125! It generally consists of changing or cleaning your air filter, changing your spark plugs, wires and distributor cap and rotor. This can be done in your garage or driveway in less than two hours!

Just by simple regularly scheduled maintenance you can increase your cars MPG by 20% or more, reduce your carbon footprint and avoid costly repairs in the future! Doing the maintenance yourself can save you hundreds of dollars over having someone else do it for you. Learn some simple "wrenching" can save you money and increase the life of your car! Below are a few more money saving tips associated with driving!

TIP: If you live close to work walk when the weather is nice! If you live less than one mile from work you can be there in 30 minutes or less and you are getting exercise! Be sure to check the forecast!

TIP: Start a carpool for work and taking kids to school! You can cut your driving expens by 80% if you find 4 people to join the carpool and take a turn!

TIP: Tell your kids to start riding the bus and stop taking them to school! If you live close to the bus stop walk with your children. You not only save money you get some exercise.

TIP: Drive the speed limit, you'll save on gas mileage! You can increase your gas mileage by 25% or better by driving 65 instead of 80!

TIP: Ride a bike to work or school on days with nice weather. You'll be amazed at how much you'll save on gas for the car! 1 to 5 miles is nothing on a bike!

TIP: Mid-grade and Premium gas tend to give better gas mileage. You may need to experiment with a couple of tanks of gas to see if it saves you money.

As always I would love to hear about your money saving tips! Feel free to leave a comment or send us an e-mail to TightenYourBelt@gmail.com.

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How to Save Money in the Bathroom!!

2009-04-03T08:14:00.005-05:00

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Saving money is something that we all strive to do when money is tight. With the current financial crisis in the United States and the world right now, it would behoove each and every one of us to find any and all ways to save money! Saving money in the bathroom is one of those things that is easy to do but we often times forget how to do.

The biggest loss of money in the bathroom is waste. We waste gallons and gallons of water when we do not have to do so. Just by turning off the water when you brush your teeth will save as much as 3 gallons of water a day per person in your household. That does not sound like an awful lot but it adds up quickly! One person saving three gallons of water a day will save over 1000 gallons of water a year, just by turning off the water when you brush your teeth!

Check to make sure that your toilet is not running. The average running toilet can waste 10 to 20 gallons of water a day. Over time this can cost you money! A dripping sink or shower head is the same way. A drippy faucet can waste a gallon or more water a day. If your toilet is running and your faucets are dripping you could be wasting another 8000 gallons of water and that is almost another entire water bill just paying for the wasted water!

Another money saving thing you can do is use your towel more than once before washing it. I know, it may seem kind of gross, but look at it this way. When you get out of the shower or bath you are already clean! When you dry off you are just drying off the clean water! So, all you are really doing is getting the towel damp. Hang it up and let it dry and reuse it. I am not saying use it for two weeks but if you use it for 2 or 3 times before you wash it you will be cutting down on your laundry bill!

Here are some tips that you can Tweet directly to your Twitter Account by clicking on them.

TIP: Turn off the water when brushing your teeth! You will save money on your water bill if you don't waste it!

TIP: Make sure your toilet isn't running and faucets are not leaking! Maintenance can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars every year!

TIP: Use your towel to dry off for 2 or 3 days before washing be sure to let it dry! You are clean when you dry off!

As always I would love to hear about your money saving tips! Feel free to leave a comment or send us an e-mail to TightenYourBelt@gmail.com.

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How to Save Money in the Laundry Room!!

2009-03-24T09:12:00.005-05:00

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There are money saving settings right on your washing machine that you may or may not have noticed. It starts with the size of your load of laundry. There is (on most washers) dial that has water saver mode all the way up to large capacity load. Use this setting option don't just set it on large load and walk away!

There is also a temperature setting dial. This dial lists all the types of temperature settings for the different cycles from cold/cold to hot/cold. Read the tags on your laundry and see what the manufacturer suggests for temperature settings on your clothes and use them! Wash in cold/cold whenever you can and it will save on the cost to heat the water.

You can save money on drying your clothes by not over filling your washing machine as well. If you put too many clothes in your washer your spin cycle will not get as much water out of the clothes as you would with a normal size load. This will translate to higher energy usage on your dryer by taking longer to dry.

If you can hang your clothes to dry rather than putting them in the dryer you can save some money on energy. Even if you just hang a few items in the bathroom to dry you'll save a little. I like to hang my sheets outside to dry when the weather is nice. When I do that I save an entire dryer load!

Cleaning out the lint trap before every load is helpful to keep your energy cost down. You should also clean your dryer hose once a month or more. Lint builds up inside the dryer hose very fast and can clog the hose. A clogged vent hose causes laundry to take longer than necessary to dry and that costs you money. If you use dryer sheets the lint trap and hose get clogged up faster. Use an old tooth brush and warm soapy water to clean the lint trap once a month or when you see it start to get clogged.

Here are some tips that you can Tweet directly to your Twitter Account by clicking on them.

TIP #1: Wash clothes in warm/cold not hot/cold when you can! Hot/Cold cycle is the most expensive way to wash clothes. Check the tags and wash things according to the manufactures suggestion.

TIP #2: Use the water saver feature on small loads of laundry! Most washing machines have several water levels. Utilize this for smaller loads. You save water and energy.

TIP #3: Hang clothes to dry instead of using the dryer! Put up a clothes line outside or hang clothes in the shower and save energy.

TIP #4: Clean out the dryer exhaust at least once a month! The exhaust hose tends to get clogged. Cleaning it out at least once a month will make the dryer more efficient.

TIP #5: Clean out the lint trap on your dryer before each load! When drying items that produce a lot of lint like towels you may want to clean the trap out in the middle of the drying cycle as well.

Save Money at the Grocery Store!

2009-03-23T10:09:00.005-05:00

Did you know that an espresso maker costs less than 5 espressos from a coffee house? You can pick one up at one of those big department stores for under $30! You can also pick up a coffee pot and a thermos mug for about $15 total! I bought a cup of coffee at a local fast food place and it was $1.78 for just a single cup of coffee! I could hardly believe it! I buy coffee beans for $7 a pound, grind my own beans and brew my own coffee. After the initial investment of about $15 for the coffee maker and $7 for 2 weeks worth of coffee, each cup now costs about $.27!

There are many ways to save money. 99% of the time you are paying about a 70% or higher convenience markup! So, there we have it, you can save money or have convenience. I for one, given those two options, will choose to save money every time! I buy generic food items more than name brand. I have yet to find a great deal of difference with generic foods. I also buy in bulk whenever I have the option.

When I go to the grocery store I try to always eat before hand and take a list. Taking a list is one thin, sticking to it is another! I find that if I am hungry I tend to stray from the list more than when I am not! Sticking to a list will do many things for you. Lets look at the process for making a list.

First I sit down and write a menu for the entire week. I do a menu for each meal of the day. After that is complete I start my list. I try to lump like items together so that I can make my shopping trip take the least amount of time. Only after I complete the list from my menu do I add things like snacks and or deserts. I do not have kids in the house so that makes it a little bit easier for me. If you have children in your house you may want to treat snacks like a meal in your menu.

If I plan to have more than one meal with ground beef/turkey I try to estimate how much I will need. I then buy in bulk. The more you buy the less times you have to pay for packaging. I put a star next to items that I can buy in bulk. After that is complete I look through all the coupons I have. I put a check mark next to each item on the list that I have a coupon for, this makes sure I don't forget to use the coupon. Then I look at all the store specials from the circulars and put an X next to each item that I am going to get price matched.

By the way, I always get my list together on Sunday morning with the newspaper. That way the circulars are current and all the coupons are right there! I have saved hundreds of dollars by taking the 30 minutes to make a list, look for coupons and circulars. Saving on your grocery trip is not hard to do and it gets easier the longer you keep to your routine.

Here are a few tips that you can Tweet by clicking on them.

TIP: Shop less often and buy in bulk whenever you can!

TIP: A $10 coffee pot is far less expensive than a week of Starbucks!

Click HERE to Tweet this Article to your Twitter Account!

As always we are on the lookout for great tips and tricks to save money so feel free to leave a comment with your money saving tips!

Saving Money and Being Frugal is Easy!

2009-03-20T11:53:00.004-05:00

Welcome back to How To Tighten Your Belt Blog! This week we will be discussing ways to save money in the kitchen. Your kitchen is a hotbed of wasted money! Let us see if we cannot tune it up this week. First and foremost, and this goes for every room, turn off the lights when you leave the kitchen!

Lights use a great deal of energy! You can save up to $10 a month per room by just turning off the lights when you leave the room. That can add up very quickly! Saving on energy usage in the kitchen does not just translate to turning off the lights.

Even if an appliance is off there is a chance that it is still drawing energy. If you use an item a lot, like a microwave or coffee pot it is probably a good idea just to leave it plugged in, but if you have a mixer or toaster or breadmaker you should unplug them when you are not using them. You may only save pennies a week by doing this but it is pennies that you otherwise would not have!

As for large appliances, such as the dishwasher, there are a few things you can do to cut down on the cost of using. Turn off the drying cycle on your dishwasher and run it at the end of the day. Dishes will naturally dry and most all dish washing liquid for the dishwasher has an anti-spot additive. Just the drying cycle alone can account for more than half the energy used by the dishwasher.

Make sure that the dishwasher is full. Running the dishwasher for 1/2 loads cost you the same as running the dishwasher full. Now I am not suggesting overfilling the dishwasher. Just fill it up to full. If it takes two days to fill it up then so be it! Be sure to rinse your dishes off before putting them in the dishwasher and you can use cold water to rinse them because they will be cleaned in hot water.

That is it for the day! Come back tomorrow for more useful money saving tips and tricks! Here are some tips that you can click on to directly tweet them!

TIP: Run your dishwasher only when it is completely full!

TIP: Run your dishwasher at night and turn off the heat drying cycle!

Click HERE to Tweet this Article to your Twitter Account!

As always we are on the lookout for great tips and tricks to save money so feel free to leave a comment with your money saving tips!

Tighten Your Belt and Save Money!!

2009-03-13T11:35:00.011-05:00

In today's failing/failed economy everyone is looking for ways to survive the recession/depression. Though I would love to give you the one good answer to how to make extra money to make ends meet, I cannot. I can however share with you my experiences in saving money. Saving a dime is like making a dime! If you save a dime ten times a day, you've saved a dollar!

I will share plenty of ways to cut down on your expenses and suggestions to put that savings to good use! I welcome any questions and comments and discussion you may have. President Obama has started his stimulus package and many people are seeing $8 to $15 a week extra on their paychecks. My first tip is to take that extra money and put it into a savings account! Let your money draw some interest. You did not have the money before so you won't even miss it. I personally put $10 a week into a savings account. That is $520 put into savings every year.

Finding the right savings account is not always the easiest thing. I suggest finding a savings account at a bank that does not charge you a maintenance fee. Too many banks charge you $3 to $5 a month to save your money. If that is the case it would be better to put your money in your mattress! Some banks will charge toy a maintenance fee if you have below $100 in your account. So, stick your money in your mattress until you have $100 then put it into your account and forget that it is there.

If the bank offers you a debit card or checks for your savings account, decline the offer. If you have the ability to take your money out of the account it makes it that much harder to save! Many people that I know put 10% of every paycheck into a savings account. This is great if you are able to do that, but most people are not well off enough to part with 10% of their paycheck. I hope to get you to the point where you have saved enough money on utility bills and such that you have an extra 20% to put into your newly opened savings account.

I will never ask you to buy anything or join anything! Just press ctrl+d and bookmark the blog and come back every day or subscribe in a reader or via e-mail. I will have those options set up very soon. This being my very first post it will be up for the week and I will have new posts starting on March 20, 2009. That is the first day of spring and a great day to start saving money! Until then, let me know if you have any ideas you'd like to share or questions you'd like to ask.

Click on any tip to tweet it!

1. Turn out the lights when you leave the room, ESPECIALLY the Bathroom!
2. Use cash and put your change in a jar!
3. Turn off the water when brushing your teeth!
4. If you cannot afford it DON'T buy it!
5. Never borrow money to pay off a debt!
6. If you live close to work walk when the weather is nice!
7. If you only need one or two items walk to the store and back!
8. Turn your computer off when you're not using it ESPECIALLY at night!
9. Shop less often and buy in bulk whenever you can!
10. Start a garden in your window or on your deck!
11. Ask your credit card company for a better interest rate!
12. Over 55? Become a member of AARP and get discounts everywhere!
13. Got a fireplace? Buy firewood in the summer it is cheaper!
14. Buy next years winter clothing at the end of this winter!
15. Charge your cellphone at work ESPECIALLY if it is a company phone!
16. When your lights burn out switch out light bulbs with fluorescent light bulbs!
17. Unplug appliances that you do not use often!
18. Set your refrigerator thermostat to warmer!
19. Set A/C Thermostat 2 degrees warmer in summer 2 degrees colder in winter!
20. Keep the refrigerator and freezer 75 percent to 85 percent full!