EarlyBird
01-07-2008, 10:10 PM
BRANDI, You may or may not move this to deals but im not sure if it goes there so i didnt post there (its not an actual deal, just helpful advice)
Im sorry ... so so sorry if its in the wrong spot..
I was watching some stuff on "budgeting" and "cutting cost" and took a couple notes. wanted to share some stuff.
Some you might know some you might not.. hoepfully it helps someone.
Ways to cut your bills/costs
Groceries
Coupons/Sales Ads -- Stockpile, Buy more then you need RIGHT NOW so that you always have it on hand. Make sure you combine advertised ads and coupons.
Try new brands – Cut the coupons and try those brands – they are cheaper and you may be surprised.
Club Cards. (Check different store advantage plans/cards and use them)
Warehouse Shop for things like toilet paper /paper towels
Water
Americans spend an av. Of 3k per household on water bills - - - -
Dishwasher takes up LOTS less water when you wash a FULL wash. Don’t wash the dishes again if they come out a little dirty- This will not help and your actually using double the water and it wont be any cleaner the second time. You need to take out your bottom “arm” inside the dishwasher and soak it in white vinegar. This should clean it and next time you do that load they will come out clean.
Front load washing machines actually use Less water- 30-50% less water!
Toliet leaking test- A leaky toilet can cause excess water usage- to test this pour blue die in the top of the toilet and if it shows up in the bowl, that means there is a leak and water is constantly being used and wasted.
Cleaning Cost
White vinegar instead of disenfectants. These are just as effective if not more and it is so cheap to buy a gallon or two at a time.
Baking soda for odors in containers.
Utility Bills
Every home has leaks and crack. Seal them and save 30-40% on cooling bills
Change Thermostats to newer model thermostats – These are programmable. In the winter, every degree you lower the temp, you save 3% of your heating bill and in the summer every degree you raise the temp it saves you 5%.
Seal Doors- If you can see any sunlight through the door, its like punching a 4 inch hole in your wall – Weathstripping for the sides of the door, Bottom you can use Thresholds with rubber or use door sweeps to already installed (On most older doors)
Use caulk on the outside of the house to seal windows.
Replace bulbs with the energy efficient bulbs-
Credit Cards.
Move balances. Find out How many cards you have and what the interest rates are.
Read all your terms (read through which ones have a renewal fees, which ones can raise your interest rate due to ONE late day of payment)
Once you restructure credit to be on lowest interest cards STILL use the money you would have spent (should free up about 200-300 a month) to pay down the balances on the card where your highest balances are.
Phone Bill
READ THE BILL- a lot of times companies throw junk fees in there. Bundle packages have a lot of EXTRAS that you do use. ---- For example a 64.00 package (without service just for “extras” includes 10 features you only use two – Cancel that package bundle and request the two features you use on their own… You save the rest of the money—
Long distance – TAKE IT OFF AND USE CELL PHONES- cell phones usually have free long distance.
USE internet for INTERNATIONAL calls – you can use video feed and its free or use phone service and its about 2 cents a minute
Im sorry ... so so sorry if its in the wrong spot..
I was watching some stuff on "budgeting" and "cutting cost" and took a couple notes. wanted to share some stuff.
Some you might know some you might not.. hoepfully it helps someone.
Ways to cut your bills/costs
Groceries
Coupons/Sales Ads -- Stockpile, Buy more then you need RIGHT NOW so that you always have it on hand. Make sure you combine advertised ads and coupons.
Try new brands – Cut the coupons and try those brands – they are cheaper and you may be surprised.
Club Cards. (Check different store advantage plans/cards and use them)
Warehouse Shop for things like toilet paper /paper towels
Water
Americans spend an av. Of 3k per household on water bills - - - -
Dishwasher takes up LOTS less water when you wash a FULL wash. Don’t wash the dishes again if they come out a little dirty- This will not help and your actually using double the water and it wont be any cleaner the second time. You need to take out your bottom “arm” inside the dishwasher and soak it in white vinegar. This should clean it and next time you do that load they will come out clean.
Front load washing machines actually use Less water- 30-50% less water!
Toliet leaking test- A leaky toilet can cause excess water usage- to test this pour blue die in the top of the toilet and if it shows up in the bowl, that means there is a leak and water is constantly being used and wasted.
Cleaning Cost
White vinegar instead of disenfectants. These are just as effective if not more and it is so cheap to buy a gallon or two at a time.
Baking soda for odors in containers.
Utility Bills
Every home has leaks and crack. Seal them and save 30-40% on cooling bills
Change Thermostats to newer model thermostats – These are programmable. In the winter, every degree you lower the temp, you save 3% of your heating bill and in the summer every degree you raise the temp it saves you 5%.
Seal Doors- If you can see any sunlight through the door, its like punching a 4 inch hole in your wall – Weathstripping for the sides of the door, Bottom you can use Thresholds with rubber or use door sweeps to already installed (On most older doors)
Use caulk on the outside of the house to seal windows.
Replace bulbs with the energy efficient bulbs-
Credit Cards.
Move balances. Find out How many cards you have and what the interest rates are.
Read all your terms (read through which ones have a renewal fees, which ones can raise your interest rate due to ONE late day of payment)
Once you restructure credit to be on lowest interest cards STILL use the money you would have spent (should free up about 200-300 a month) to pay down the balances on the card where your highest balances are.
Phone Bill
READ THE BILL- a lot of times companies throw junk fees in there. Bundle packages have a lot of EXTRAS that you do use. ---- For example a 64.00 package (without service just for “extras” includes 10 features you only use two – Cancel that package bundle and request the two features you use on their own… You save the rest of the money—
Long distance – TAKE IT OFF AND USE CELL PHONES- cell phones usually have free long distance.
USE internet for INTERNATIONAL calls – you can use video feed and its free or use phone service and its about 2 cents a minute