How to Save Money Blog

Hot Tips for Hot Water Savings

2008-12-01T18:11:00.000-08:00

It’s December 1st and the winter is upon us and saving on utility bills is certainly on my mind. I thought I’d start a short series of entries of how to save money and conserve energy with your winter utilities. I’ll start with water…

1) Set your water heater temperature to 120 degrees to ensure you're not paying to heat water unnecessarily. The water will still be hot enough for your showers. If the water is set much higher than that it can be a safety hazard since it can scald.

2) Insulate your water heater with an insulation jacket. This can reduced the heat-loss from the heater especially when it is located in an unfinished basement that isn’t well insulated. Insulating an older water heater can reduce the heat loss by up to 45%.

3) Drain your water heater once a year to remove any sediment from the bottom. This helps it run more efficiently.

4) Don't let water run while shaving or washing your face. Brush your teeth first while waiting for water to get hot, then wash or shave after filling the sink.

5) Take showers instead of baths. Showering uses far less water & take shorter showers.

6) Check for toilet tank leaks by adding food coloring to the tank. If the toilet is leaking, color will appear within 30 minutes. Check the toilet for worn out, corroded or bent parts. Most replacement parts are inexpensive, readily available and easily installed. (Flush as soon as test is done, since food coloring may stain the tank.)

7) Teach your kids that water is a precious resource. Make it a game. They’ll waste less.

8) Operate your dishwasher and clothes washer only when they are fully loaded or properly set the water level for the size of load you are using.

9) Do not use running water to thaw meat or other frozen foods. Defrost food overnight in the refrigerator or by using the defrost setting on your microwave.

10) Insulate your water pipes (the first 10 feet) from the water heater. You'll get hot water faster plus avoid wasting water while it heats up.

11) Repair dripping faucets by replacing washers. If your faucet is dripping at the rate of one drop per second, you can expect to waste 2,700 gallons per year which will add to the cost of water and sewer utilities, or strain your septic system.

12) Verify that your home is leak-free, because many homes have hidden water leaks. Read your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter does not read exactly the same, there is a leak.

13) Never put water down the drain when there may be another use for it such as watering a plant or garden.

For more money-saving ideas check out my Money Saving e-book at:
http://www.saving-money-tips.synthasite.com/

Black Friday Bargain Tidbits

2008-11-26T07:16:00.000-08:00

“Black Friday,” the Friday after Thanksgiving, is considered the start of the busy Christmas shopping season. With the recent slump in the economy, retailers have suffered just like the rest of us, so they are turning out their most generous discounts for Black Friday in an effort to recoup some of the recent month’s losses. October’s retail numbers hit record-breaking losses. Their loss is your gain.

The Christmas shopping season starts on “Black Friday". The term "Black Friday" originated in Philadelphia in reference to the heavy traffic on that day. More recently, merchants and the media have used it instead to refer to the beginning of the period in which retailers are in the black (i.e., turning a profit).

With saving on almost everyone’s mind, here's 10 ways you can get a head start on the bargains Black Friday has to offer.

1) The early bird gets the worm: Get up early and get the best deals before they sell out. Many stores give even further discounts for their early bird customers.

2) Price match: If you have seen the same item advertised for cheaper ask the store to match the price. They often do. I always ask for a manager since they are usually the ones who can authorize a further discount.

3) Shop alone: I know this sounds severe but bringing your spouse, friend or kids just adds a distraction to your mission: which is to get the best deals you can get all in one day.

4) Keep all of your receipts: If you buy something on Friday and then it is further discounted within 30 days, ask the store to give you the difference; so keep the receipts. I keep all of mine in an envelope which I keep in my pocket book. This also comes in handy for returns.

5) Ask for further discounts: Since you know that the retailers are really having a tough year; why not ask for an extra 10% off at the check-out? You’d be amazed at how often I ask and get it. Try it and see.

6) Buy online. Many online retailers have their Black Friday deals online and offer free shipping on some purchases. Since I have a 7 week old baby, this is where I’ll be doing my Black Friday shopping this year.

7) Don’t get carried away with your plastic. Buy what you can afford and don’t overspend. You will not enjoy your Christmas Season knowing you have overspent and will be burdened with debt come January.

8) If you are buying gifts with credit, call the card company before Friday and ask for a rate reduction. You might get it. If you purchase items on 'store cards' to get the extra 10-20% discount, as soon as you've purchased the item, ask to pay the card off with cash right there and then. This way you get your extra discount and don't incur the interest charges. I just saw a customer at Macy's last Tuesday use her card to buy jewelry on her store card for 15% off and then she paid the card-off in the next minute with cash-SMART.

9) Don’t start WWIII. Don’t get into a fight over buying stuff with other customers. We often see media reports of people being crushed at Toys’R’Us when they open at 5am. Keep it real. Make it a fun day, make friends with people in the check-out lines and keep in good spirits.

10) It is OK to “pass” on Black Friday. This can be a frenzied day and pretty stressful. Lots of people stay home that day and avoid the crowds. I’ll be sitting in front of my fireplace reading and playing games with Alex (7 weeks) and Zara (2 Yrs). Hopefully my husband Dan will be making the hot chocolate.

Check out the following sites for some “unofficial” previews on gift discounts.

http://www.blackfriday.info/

http://bfads.net/

http://www.black-friday.net/

http://blackfriday.gottadeal.com/

Don’t forget to check out my Money Saving e-book at:

http://www.saving-money-tips.com/
Have a great day on Friday, whatever you decide to do!

Suzanne

2008-11-25T11:31:00.000-08:00

Can You Really Save on Groceries Without Clipping Coupons?

No one is buying much of anything right now, other than things we really have to have; like food. Just because it no longer costs me my right arm to drive to the grocery store doesn’t mean I’m not watching my grocery bill. Groceries are one of our biggest household expenses but there are ways to spend less when shopping for food – and they don’t involve clipping coupons.

These days, most of us are looking for just about any way to save a buck. Luckily, the price of gas has come down in recent months but that’s just because demand is down. In fact, demand is down for just about everything, which has thrown the economy into a tizzy.

Grocery shopping can be a large part of your household expenses. If you want to save when you go shopping for food, first look at your grocery buying habits in terms of wants and needs. You can do this by creating a master shopping list. You create this list only once, so take your time. Then laminate it for repeat use with a dry erase pen. Your master grocery list helps you in several ways:-

1) Since it’s comprehensive, it helps you from forgetting items - saving you extra trips to the store (which saves you money)

2) Because you only include the foods you prefer to feed your family (in terms of a healthy diet)you avoid impulse purchases – which are usually junk or comfort foods.

3) Your master list should exclude items that aren’t smart purchases, like bottled water or soda. Stick to your master list and reap the savings.

If you don’t have time to create a list yourself, you can access my ‘Super-Saver Shopping List’ in my e-book at http://www.saving-money-tips.com/

Some other ways of saving when shopping include avoiding high end grocery stores. They (you) pay for their fancy stores through higher prices. You can find quality food at a regular grocery store. You can also limit the number of trips to the store. This sounds obvious but, if you track this carefully, you’d probably be surprised at the actual number of trips you make each month to buy food. And each “little trip” usually adds up to more than you plan.

Finally, in lieu of your master list or if you’re having trouble putting it together, try just keeping to the perimeter of store. You’ll usually find the necessities around the edges of the store; meat, poultry, seafood, produce, bread, and dairy. The aisles are where you find the junk food; chips, soda, convenience foods, etc.

Don’t forget to take advantage of the Store Loyalty Programs, you can save a bundle once you have joined. It’s usually free and if you don’t want to carry yet another card around to swipe at the check-out, just tap in your phone number at the check-out and you’ll access your rewards and savings. I always ask the attendant how much I’ve saved once all my groceries have been scanned. This way you know how much you saved and it adds a little bright spark to your day.
The bottom line is to shop smart and buy what you need, which is usually healthy food. Both your family and your wallet will feel better for it.

For many, many more money saving tips and a sample master shopping list, check out http://www.saving-money-tips.com/

Happy Shopping,
Suzanne

Thrifty Tips for your Thanksgiving Table

2008-11-23T15:12:00.000-08:00

This year the Fall colors are so amazing.
I was just playing outside with my daughter Zara and thought to myself how thankful I am for having her in my life and how great it is that I can share the beautiful season with her. She’s 2 and is learning her colors right now, so all the fall colors gave us a chance to talk about all of the beautiful, perfect colors that nature creates.

So with the colorful Fall season comes Thanksgiving. A wonderful time to celebrate with family and friends. Unfortunately with the average Thanksgiving dinner costing 12% more this year than last, we may need to watch our pocketbooks when it comes to planning our Thanksgiving dinner.

So with that said and with Turkey Day just around the corner here a few thrifty tips for your Thanksgiving table…

1) Plan ahead and make a menu: Make a list of everything you’ll need for your Thanksgiving bash. Try to stick to the list and don’t stray. Shop for the non perishable items on your list when they are on sale. Making a menu really keeps you on track, plus you don’t end up buying ingredients that you don’t need and won’t use.

2) Use what you have in your pantry. Check your pantry before you head to the store.

3) Don’t do all of the cooking yourself: Once you’ve planned out your menu, ask your family and friends to all make a particular dish. This way you aren’t cooking all day and everyone can enjoy the party.

4) Make your dessert from scratch: Dessert ingredients are super cheap, yet buying ready-made desserts can be expensive. Try making your own pumpkin pie, cookies or apple pie. Plus everyone loves home-made desserts; so you’ll score a few points with your family and friends.

5) Re-use your seasonal decorations each year: Buy seasonal decorations when they are on sale. I just saw a Halloween costumes on sale at Target for $3 a piece WOW! Store your decorations neatly in a plastic storage box and re-use them each season.

6) Buy neutral table décor: If you want to avoid the season specific decorations but still want a pretty table, use neutral décor like cream napkins and candles that can be used all year round.

7) Make the dollar store your new best friend: Use the dollar store to buy some decorations, napkins etc…you’d be surprised at the selection they have these days. If you have kids, get them involved. It is a great way to get them thinking creatively.

8) Avoid disposable dishes: I know there may be lots of dishes, but buying disposable roasting pans, cups, plates etc. really adds up price-wise and let’s face it; it isn’t very stylish. If you really hate doing dishes as much as I do, get the guys and the kids to do the dishes.

9) Creative alcohol tips: Alcohol is expensive so try having just one cocktail instead of a full range of drinks. This year I’m doing a Pomegranate Cocktail. Mix some pomegranate juice with simple syrup and sparkling white wine. Rachel Ray suggests having a Thanksgiving party with BYOB. Great idea, this way people tend to bring what they like drinking and everyone is happy.

10) Enjoy yourself: Thanksgiving is about being grateful for all we have. I have lived all over the world and America definitely is a country of abundance. We should all be thankful for that. Don’t panic about every little detail and enjoy some good food and, most importantly, enjoy your family and friends.

Check out more money-saving ideas in my e-book found at www.saving-money-tips.com

20 Tips for Saving Money during the Holiday Season

2008-11-20T19:27:00.000-08:00

The Holiday Season is upon us again, but perhaps your wallet looks a little different this year than it has done for the last few years? With families having less to spend, you have to get creative with the way you spend those dollars.

Here are 20 great tips you can start using today to get you through the Holidays. You can check out http://www.saving-money-tips.com/ for more money-saving ideas.

1) Get Planning: Go through all of your Holiday items and décor at home to check what items you really need; then shop for only the necessities.

2) Write your Holiday List: Write a Holiday shopping list. It should include all the people you are planning on buying a gift for and ideas of what to buy them. It should also include things that you need for your home and which stores you are going to get each item from. You’ll find you save gas and do fewer trips to the stores.

3) Shop online: You can buy everything online these days and if you get free shipping on items it definitely saves you gas money; plus you don’t need to go out to the stores in the cold and you avoid the crowds.

4) Enjoy Black Friday: (the day after Thanksgiving) Take advantage of the Black Friday sales and look for coupons for that day so you can save even more. Check out http://www.blackfriday.info/ for all the deals in the major stores.

5) Think Ahead to next year: Invest in an artificial tree after the Holidays when they go on sale. If you take care of them they can last for several years. Also get discounted gift wrap, cards and décor after Christmas to really save for next year.

6) Set a limit on gifts: Agree in advance with your family members to an affordable amount for everyone to spend on gifts. This saves everyone in the family money.

7) Create a Christmas Savings Account/Club: Estimate how much money you need at Christmas for gifts and divide that by 52 and each week put that amount away and when Christmas rolls around you’ll have the necessary funds. You can also do this monthly (Amount needed divided by 12) and even have that amount come out of your checking account and into your savings account automatically.

8) Shop Sales Year Round: Hit the clearance sales after Christmas and all the Holiday sales through the year like…Memorial Day, 4th July etc…you’ll save major bucks and you’ll be ready when Christmas comes to relax and enjoy the gift giving season.

9) Homemade Gifts are a great idea: Let’s get back to basics with simple homemade gifts from the heart. It doesn’t take long to bake/make Christmas breads, fudge, truffles, jams, jellies or cookies for your family and neighbors. Everyone loves to eat! Another super easy homemade gift idea is a simple fleece scarf that requires no sewing skills.

10) Establish traditions that don’t cost a lot: Instead of having expensive formal dinner parties, do a “Pot-Luck” Dinner and get everyone involved.

11) Organize an “Ornament Exchange” at work. This is an inexpensive way to buy gifts for co-workers that they will use and enjoy.

12) Take advantage of the free wrapping stores offer: You’ll save time and money.

13) Eat before you go Holiday shopping: Research shows that you can spend up to 40% more when hungry.

14) Make your decorations & get the kids involved: Make inexpensive garlands from popcorn & cranberries. The kids will love stringing them together.

15) Get out & see the lights around town: Take your family to see the neighborhood Holiday lights or city lights for free instead of an expensive Christmas theater show. Play Christmas music in the car and finish the night off with some hot apple cider.

16) Check your plastic: Make sure you pay off your credit card as soon as you get the bill in January or February. If you know you can’t ahead of time, pick a single low-interest card to make your purchases with. Before you head out to spend, give the card company a call and see if the will lower your rate.

17) Be charitable: Instead of buying yet another gift for that sister/brother/uncle/aunt that has it all, make a donation to a charity in their name.

18) Be a smart traveler: If you travel on Christmas morning the flights are cheaper and you still get there in time for Christmas lunch!

19) Use cash to shop: Research shows you spend 30% less with cash. Just keep it safe!

20) Remember what it is all about: Keep the Holidays simple. You’ll save money and enjoy celebrating the holidays for its real meaning and cherish the family members and friends in your life.

See more great money-saving tips at: http://www.saving-money-tips.com/
Have a great Holiday Season!