Household Saving Tips
Household saving sounds challenging, but it does not have to be painful. If your current budget needs trimming, it is probably because your spending habits are inefficient. After you list your monthly expenses, you will probably find that you're overpaying for some essentials and paying for other services that you don't use. Small cutbacks in waste areas can result in substantial savings without major sacrifices in your family's comfort.
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Coupons
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When you overlook coupons, you may be passing on hundreds of dollars in savings per year on groceries and other household items. Some grocery stores offer their own coupon flyers, but you can find the biggest selection of coupons for national brand items on coupon websites. Spend time each week printing out coupons for products that you buy regularly and keep them in your purse so that you will have them on hand whenever you shop.
Cable, Internet and Phone
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Many households pay separately for cable television, Internet and phone lines, and the total cost for these services adds up. To save money in this area, consolidate and cut back on some of your subscriptions. Look for discount bundle deals on cable and Internet offered for your service area. Consider replacing your landline phone altogether with low cost or free Internet phone service. Get rid of subscriptions to premium cable channels and watch your favorite shows online.
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Energy Bills
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To reduce home energy bills, hire a contractor to tune up your home heating, ventilating and air conditioning system, and insulate and seal gaps around windows and doors. If you are handy around the home you can also do some of this work yourself, using the guidelines on the U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Star website. Make sure that your family follows energy-saving protocol by turning off lights and other running appliances when they're not using them.
Shop Second-hand
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Don't overlook the second-hand market for household items. Browse thrift stores, yard sales and Internet classifieds for gently used furniture, rugs and home appliances. To get the best deals, you need patience and an eye for quality. Make sure your purchases are in good or easy-to-repair condition. When purchasing appliances, ask the seller if you can plug them in to make sure that they work before you decide to buy them.
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References
- "Smart Money"; Sharpen Coupon-Clipping Skills; Kelli B. Grant; September 2010
- "MarketWatch"; Save Money by Rethinking your TV, Internet and Phone Needs; Amy Hoak; January 2009
- "USA Today"; Use the Internet to Make Calls, Save Money; Kim Komando; September 2010
- Energy Star: Air Seal and Insulate with Energy Star
- Energy Star: Heat and Cool Efficiently - Maintenance Checklist
- "Good Housekeeping"; How to Buy Anything Secondhand; Lisa Goff
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
