Spend smart, spend less, and save more. Save over $500 a year with these simple ways to save money around the house.
Change Furnace Filter
Keeping your furnace (gas or electric) tuned up has two big benefits: It makes the furnace run efficiently and it prolongs the furnace’s life span. And you can perform the annual tune-up yourself in about three hours. Change the filter every month of the heating season (or year-round if the filter is also used for A/C). Be sure you insert the new one so it faces the right way. The filter protects the blower and its motor; a clogged filter makes the motor work harder and use more power.
Use Every Last Drop of Leftover Paint
Don’t throw your leftover paint away! Mix it up and save it for a primer later. I have several rental properties that seem like they’re always in need of repainting. Instead of throwing out leftover paint, only having to buy more later, I put it to use. I take multiple cans of interior latex, partially used paint and primer, any sheen, and any color, and mix them all together. It doesn’t matter how much junk or debris is in the paint. Just pour it all in. I use a power mixer to blend them and then dump all of the mixtures into a bigger container.
After all the assorted paints in the vat are mixed, it usually ends up an off-white or antique white. The sheen is usually an eggshell to satin. If the color is too loud, I tone it down by adding a can of white paint. Now, I pour the paint into 5-gallon buckets with strainer bags inside. Lift out the strainer bags to remove any debris and pop on a lid to keep the paint fresh. This is a great way to use up leftovers when you do a lot of painting. — Tom Dvorak
Wash in Warm, Rinse in Cold
Here’s a tip that could save you hundreds a year. If you’re washing and rinsing your clothes in hot water, you’re wasting a chunk of change heating all that water. The juice needed to power the machine motor doesn’t cost much—the big expense is heating all that water.
Detergents are designed to perform in temps of 65 to 85 degrees F. And cold water is just as effective for rinsing as warm or hot. So dial back those temperature settings! Check the water temperature in the tub right after it fills. You just might find that even the cold setting on the washing cycle is above 65 degrees and no hot water is even needed.
Kill Energy Vampires
Seventy-five percent of the electrical use by home electronics occurs when they’re turned off, according to the Department of Energy. These “energy vampires” suck electricity all day long—costing you an extra $100 each year. So if you’d like to keep that Ben Franklin in your wallet, unplug your electronics or plug them into a power strip, then turn off the strip.
Don’t worry about losing the settings on new computers and TVs. They have a memory chip that resets everything when you power back up. If you have devices that flash when the power goes out, keep it plugged in. Some power strips, like the BITS Smart Strip shown, have a few outlets that always have power even when you flip off the switch. This type of strip has a main outlet for the computer. When you turn off the computer, the strip also shuts down other devices, such as your scanner, printer, or modem.
Rent Versus Purchase
Many DIY projects such as tile removal require a special tool—a jackhammer—that can be quite expensive to purchase. You can rent a tool far cheaper than you can purchase it. Common tools you can rent by the hour or day include pressure washers, jackhammers, hammer drills, and carpet cleaners. Chances are good that your local tool rental center will carry the tool you need for your project.
Growing Your Own Vegetables
Growing vegetables at home can be a great activity that is fun for the entire family. You don’t have to rent a plow and tractor to grow a few tomatoes in your backyard. Many vegetables—tomatoes, squash, radishes, etc.—are easy to grow in containers. This garden practice utilizes containers such as a simple wooden box or even 5-gallon buckets for planting vessels. Aside from the fun you will have to grow your own vegetables, the next time you need a tomato, you will save time, money, and gas when you can just pick it from your own garden.
Basic Car Maintenance
You can perform routine maintenance on your automobile to cut the costs of repair and upkeep. All that is required is some basic knowledge, some common hand tools, and a little elbow grease. It is not that difficult to change your oil, change an air filter, replace wiper blades, or swap out a burnt turning-signal bulb. Folks who are just not mechanically inclined can take advantage of the free services offered by many auto parts dealers. Many retailers will install wiper blades, batteries, and even air filters for free if you purchase the items directly from their store.
Make Your Own Household Cleaners
You can help the environment and save a few bucks by making your own household cleaners. For instance, instead of using a store-bought glass cleaner, mix 2 cups of water with a 1/2 cup of vinegar to create your own. Another easy formula for all-purpose cleaning is mixing 4 tablespoons of baking soda with 1 quart of warm water.
Zip-Tie to the Rescue
When my bathroom sink gets clogged, I don’t reach for expensive chemicals as a bathroom sink cleaner. Instead, I use an inexpensive long zip tie. I cut several notches on the zip-ties end. It’ll hook the hair clog, allowing you to pull it out. Problem solved. The size of the eye of the zip tie prevented me from inadvertently pushing the tie past the stopper. — Rick Holmen
Every homeowner should have a stash of these tiny, versatile straps on hand. Zip ties can help you conquer clutter, work hands-free, and even see in the dark.
Buy Energy Star Appliances
When you shop for appliances, look for the Energy Star label. It means the appliance meets certain energy-efficiency guidelines. Energy Star says that appliances bearing its label can cut energy bills by 30 percent, saving hundreds annually. But you don’t have to replace everything to see savings. Just replacing an eight-year-old refrigerator with a new Energy Star model can save more than $100 a year or more in electricity.
Install a Clothes Line
A simple clothesline allows you to dry your clothes for free using the power of the sun instead of expensive electricity. Electric clothes dryers can really put a dent in your pocketbook, especially if you have a large household. While a clothesline does require a bit of manual labor to hang the clothes, you will enjoy a fresh, natural smell in your laundry as well as a reduced utility bill.
Clean Furnace and Air Conditioning Filters Regularly
Cut down on energy costs by maintaining your HVAC system. A dirty filter can really drag down the efficiency of your heating and cooling system as well as shorten its life expectancy. Replacing the filter every couple of months will suffice for most folks, but it really depends on your household. Pet owners, for instance, might need to change or clean the filter more often due to dander and pet hair.
Switch to CFLs
Replacing incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) is one of the quickest, easiest ways to save money—and a place everyone can start. CFLs use about 75 percent less energy and last up to 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs. This can save you up to $35 in electric costs over the lifetime of each bulb.
Choose CFLs with the Energy Star label to get the greatest savings. Energy Star products have to meet energy-efficiency guidelines set by the EPA and the Department of Energy. When you shop, keep in mind that light fixtures with dimmers require special CFLs; read the label.
Source: familyhandyman.com ~ By Elizabeth Flaherty
