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Cutting Costs Around The Home By: Jonathan Bille  |
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 With the cost of everything on the rise, we’re all looking for tips and tricks to save money where we can around the house. You may think that you’ve already cut back where you could, but take a second look around and you just may find a few more places you can conserve and save. Consider the following suggestions:
Unplug electronic equipment when not in use. Although you may not realize it, most of the electric devices in our homes draw power even when they are not in use. Look around your home and you’ll be sure to find a bunch of stuff plugged in that could easily be unplugged when not in use. Items such as computers, TVs, cable boxes, table lamps, radios, and devices like PDA and phone cradles and adapters should all be unplugged from the wall until they are needed.
Switch to energy efficient bulbs where ever you can in the house. Yes energy efficient bulbs may cost a little more upfront, but you will end up saving hundreds of dollars over the life of those bulbs, making them a real money saver.
Plant a vegetable garden. You don’t need to have a green thumb to grow great fruits and vegetables right in your backyard. Products like strawberries and tomatoes don’t require much attention yet can add up to some serious savings when excluded from your grocery store trips.
Can up what you don’t eat from the garden. A generation ago canning was a very common practice throughout America. Turning you unused tomatoes into spaghetti sauce and canning up a few dozen jars for the winter will help keep food costs down throughout the year. If you don’t know how to can, there is a ton of information available on how to can like a pro. Or just ask one of the older members of your family, it’s a good bet that even if they don’t do it anymore, they still remember how to put up food for the winter.
Catch rainwater for garden watering. Depending on where you live, the cost of water may be a real issue. By capturing rain water and using it to water your garden and lawn you can see some serious savings when it comes time to pay the water bill.
Park the car and take a walk. Most of us have local stores that we use all the time. This summer try walking or riding a bike to the store rather than driving. You’ll not only save gas but you’ll also be getting a little exercise in the process.
Saving money is quickly becoming a priority for a lot of us. These suggestions just scratch the surface of ways you can save around the house. Spend a little time looking around and thinking about where you can save. I’m sure once you start, you’ll find a bunch of ways you can conserve energy use and save more of your hard earned money.
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