Tips to Save Money on Your Utilities

The cost of gas and electricity lately has gone through the roof and it’s not expected to decline anytime soon. While many homeowners are resigned to the fact that utilities bills are beginning to rival the cost of groceries every month, there are a few small changes you can make to cut costs on necessary item such as heating, lighting and water.

Smart Tips to Save Money on Power

Compare vendors. Even if you’ve been with the same company for half a decade, it doesn’t mean you’re necessarily getting the best deal. Gas and electricity vendors buy power in bulk and often in advance, meaning they’re looking to secure the highest number of customers. Compare costs at MoneySupermarket.com to learn more about switching suppliers.

Take a look at your thermostat. If you have a timing device on your heater, place it on a rotating schedule so that the heating is off at midday when the family is away at work and school. It will turn on again when the temperature drops in the mornings and evenings, and you’ll save money on the time in-between. While you’re there, consider reducing the temperature; even a reduction of one degree can save you money.

Maximize your appliances. Fill up the washing machine, tumble dryer and dish washer by all means, but never turn them on when they’re half-full. One full load will use less energy than two half-loads. Turn down the water temperature for washing clothes, opt for showers rather than baths, and on sunny days, make use of the sun’s natural energy to dry clothes.

Be energy aware. By making small changes in your home you can collect savings that add up in the long run. For starters, switch high wattage incandescent light bulbs for energy savers and remember to turn off lights when you leave every room. Only fill the kettle with as much water as you need, and fix dripping taps – particularly hot taps. Check for draughts around windows and doors, and add insulation to keep that precious heat inside.

Utilities are a necessary expense, but it’s not necessary to waste resources such as light, heat and water. Get into the saving mode and save money every month without making much effort at all.

Save Money When Eating Out - 7 Money Saving Tips

It’s no big secret that we all need to sacrifice a little these days in order to make ends meet.  But that doesn’t mean we have to be totally deprived and not do anything fun!  Going out to eat provides us with not only a source of nourishment, but entertainment as well.  We may need to cut back on the number of times we eat out, but there are also ways to save money when eating out.  This way we can still enjoy the occasional respite from the kitchen or a celebration well-deserved, while still saving some dough.

Here are 7 ways you can save money when eating out:

1. Order an appetizer for dinner.  Portions have gotten so big lately that this is usually enough anyway. Or share an entrée with your dining partner, if you both feel like eating the same thing and the portions are substantial.   You can even ask the server to pack up half of your meal before you begin eating, so you’ll have two meals for the price of one.  You’ll save yourself some calories in the process, too!   
2. If you’re headed to a pricey restaurant, consider enjoying a late lunch instead of dinner.  Very often these restaurants have separate lunch menus with portions that are a little smaller and are substantially less expensive.
3. If you’re dining with the kids, sign them up for the birthday club so they’ll get a free meal or dessert on their birthday.  Ask if there are certain days that kids eat free with a paying adult, because sometimes this benefit is not widely advertised.  Some restaurants may also offer a birthday club for adults, too.  
4. For restaurants that you frequent often, inquire about whether they offer a frequent diner program that offers discounts or free meals after you’ve eaten there a certain number of times or spent a specific amount of money.
5. Try to limit beverages when you dine out.  The cost of soft drinks at restaurants has become astronomical!  Most restaurants charge between $2 and $3 just for a soda!  You can get a 2 liter bottle at home for about half that amount.  So stick to drinking water when you’re out and you’ll keep your bill in check.  A slice or two of lemon is a nice added touch.  If you’re enjoying a special celebration and would like a cocktail, don’t get too carried away because the cost of alcoholic drinks can add up very quickly.  Better yet, see if there are any BYOB (bring-your-own-bottle) restaurants in the area and you’ll save a huge chunk of change. 
6. Watch out for desserts – sometimes they cost as much as a meal!  If you must end the meal on a sweet note, consider sharing a dessert among friends.  Not only will your wallet thank you, but your waist will, too!
7. Some chain restaurants also offer coupons, promotions and specials if you sign up directly at their website.  It’s worth checking them out to see if you can save a few bucks!  There are many other places to find restaurant coupons, too.

By following some of these simple ways to save money when eating out, you can still enjoy an occasional indulgence, night off from kitchen-duty, or celebration without breaking the bank.  We hate to penny-pinch all the time, but these money saving tips will help you keep more money in your wallet while still enjoying a night out at your favorite restaurant without much sacrifice.

8 Easy Ways to Save Money Without Changing Your Lifestyle

With the current state of the economy, we’re all looking for ways to save a few extra bucks here and there, even though we may not be ready to drastically change our lifestyle in order to save money.  There are many aspects of our financial life that we don’t have too much control over or that aren’t easily changed.  We can’t make the food we purchase in the supermarket any cheaper, nor can we stop driving our cars even though the price to fill up leaves us with a bit of sticker shock (though I can happily say that prices are becoming a bit more palatable than they were just a few short months ago!).  We also can’t drastically change the amount of our paychecks that go towards basic living expenses like housing and taxes, and most of us are subjected to whatever mortgage rates we financed our homes with, although mortgages can be refinanced at lower rates but that comes with a fee and isn’t always worth the effort.  However, we are still left with an opportunity to make minor changes in our weekly spending habits that can add up to rather hefty savings over time. [Read more]

7 Ways to Save Money on Gas

With the ever-soaring prices of gas these days, and our ever shrinking wallets, we’re all looking for ways to save money on gas so that we can conserve our own resources, as well as those of the planet.  Short of running out to trade in our huge SUVs to purchase new fuel-efficient hybrids, there are some easy and painless ways to make trips to the gas station a bit less frequent and to save money in the process.

Here are seven easy ways to save money on gas, without much effort:

1. Get rid of excess weight in the car.  The more weight the engine has to carry, the more fuel it needs to do its job.  Don’t carry around extras in your car.  The lighter the better.
2. Check tire pressure.  Improperly inflated car tires decrease your fuel efficiency.  Check your owner’s manual to make sure your tires are properly inflated.
3. Turn your car off when waiting.  One minute of idling uses roughly the same amount of gas as it takes to start your car, so if you are going to be waiting more than that, turn the car off. [Read more]

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