The following post is a guest post by Hilary of CallMePower.ca. Enjoy!
Don’t let your utility bills soar high along with the rising temperatures this summer! Here are some handy tips for keeping your utility bills low as temperatures rise.
Fire the Dryer
Did you know that after refrigerators, clothes dryers are the biggest energy-consuming household appliance? Reducing (or stopping altogether) your use of the clothes dryer can have a big impact on your utility bills. Take advantage of hot, sunny weather by drying your clothes outside. Not only will air-drying your clothes save you money on your utility bills, it is also gentler on your clothes and will help them last longer.
To maximise energy-saving on laundry, wash your clothes in cold water. As about 90% of the energy used by a washing machine goes towards heating water, washing your clothes in cold water can have a big impact on your utility bills, and has the added benefit of keeping your clothes bright for longer! You can also find detergent that has been specially formulated for cold water to ensure your clothes are getting cleaned as well as they would be in hotter water.
Go with the Flow
Ensuring good air circulation throughout your home can make a big difference in terms of your comfort indoors and can help you avoid using (expensive) air conditioning. There are several easy things that you can do to improve airflow in your home. First, if you have any ceiling fans, make sure that they are set to rotate counter-clockwise in the summer; this will push hot air upwards and outwards create a cooling effect in the room. Also make sure to keep the heating/air-conditioning vents in your home open and clear of anything that might be blocking air flow in your home.
Fill up the Fridge
Keeping your fridge full will also keep it from warming up every you open it, and it won’t have to work as hard to stay cool. Fill any extra space in your fridge with bottles of water, juice, or iced tea (which you can make yourself!) – they will help the fridge maintain its temperature and are refreshing! On particularly hot days, try to limit the number of times you open your fridge so that it doesn’t work harder than it has to.
Stop Cooking
Spending hours in the kitchen over a hot stove or in front of a hot oven during the summer is both unpleasant and unnecessary. Instead, make the most of fresh, bountiful summer produce to make salads and room-temperature dishes. Summer is a great time to get reacquainted with your blender, if you already have one – whipping up fresh smoothies for breakfast and cold soups for lunches or dinner are quick and energy-efficient meal options that are cool and refreshing. Consider using your microwave or a grill for heating food, both of which are more energy efficient cooking options than using an oven or a stove.
Be Appliance Smart
While summer is the perfect time to be lazy in the kitchen, keep on the lookout for any wasted energy use in the rest of your home. You can eliminate wasted, vampire energy by making sure to unplug electronics and chargers when they’re not in use, or by plugging them to power strips that you can switch off.
Stay in the Dark
Chances are in the summer the sun is bright enough that you can turn off some of the lights in your home. It’s a good idea to try to keep the lights off as much as possible during the summer, as any light gives off heat (which is generally unwanted during the summer). If you haven’t already, think about switching any incandescent lightbulbs in your home to LED or CFL. While they may cost slightly more to buy, they use considerably less energy than traditional bulbs, and generate much less heat. If you are thinking of making the switch, keep an eye out for any coupons or sales happening at your local hardware store for extra savings. Also try to keep your curtains or blinds drawn during the day in rooms that receive a lot of sunlight to keep them from getting too hot and stuffy.
Hilary is the author of CallMePower.ca, a website that provides information about energy prices in Canada to help Canadians find the best prices for their electricity and gas supply. In her spare time she enjoys cooking, DIY projects, and scoring deals at thrift stores.
Every Monday in 2015, I’ll be sharing a different idea to help you save money! Add all of these tips to your frugal repertoire and you’ll be able to save a lot of money this year! I hope you’ll gather a few new ideas or at least some inspiration from this series.
Ever since my husband and I were married almost 8 years ago, I’ve been planning our weekly menu. Even if I didn’t take the time to write things down, I still had a few meals in mind that would get us through the week. It’s in my nature to be a planner so planning a menu was obvious for my own sanity. But, even if you’re more of an impromptu cook, today I’d like to touch on the importance of menu planning. Especially if you’re looking to save money and some sanity. We’re all busy people so the power of a plan can help each of us tremendously!
Menu Planning Keeps the budget in check
Groceries cost a lot. Save yourself some financial stress by planning your meals and your shopping list based on what’s on sale and what you already have in your pantry. With a menu plan in place, you only have to purchase the ingredients you need create the meals you’ve picked. That’s how I spend less than $50 some weeks on groceries.
Your Time and Sanity are Important Too
Whether you work outside the home or you’re a stay-at-home parent, we’re all juggling a ton of activities on a daily basis. While planning a menu in the first place takes a bit of time, it will definitely save you time and restore sanity in the end. You will always have the ingredients you need to create a meal from your planned menu. No running to the store for a last minute item or opening the fridge and cupboards 500 times to figure out what to make for dinner. Or realizing it’s 5pm and you just spent an hour trying to find a great recipe when dinner could have already been on the table. With a plan in place, all you have to do is pick a meal from the list and make it!
Menu Planning Reduces Waste
Have you ever bought food from the grocery store thinking you’ll use it for something, but end up throwing it out instead? If you stick to the grocery list that you created based on your planned meals, you won’t be purchasing anything that you won’t use. In turn, creating less waste, both in the food sense and financial sense!
I believe that having a menu plan to save money and your sanity cannot be stressed enough. Menu planning has made my life so much easier and I’ve heard the same from many others. Sometimes, the menu plan is the only thing in the day that goes as planned!
Are your trips to the salon starting to add up? While I do cut my husband's hair at home, I'm not quite willing to try cutting my own hair yet (or ever?). Like me, cutting your own hair may not be an option, so take a look at these 7 ways to save money at the salon that you can try. With just a little creativity and effort, you can save money on your salon visits and keep a little extra cash in your pocket. Here is how you can get started saving today!
1. Stretch out your colorings.
Do you go every 4 weeks for a color touch up? If so, see if you can stretch out your coloring schedule by an additional week. This can help you eliminate a few colorings a year and save you some serious cash. Chances are, you won’t even be bothered by waiting an additional week.
2. Skip the blow dry and style.
Most stylists charge you extra to dry your hair and style it. If you are just heading home after your appointment anyway, skip the blow dry and style. You can easily shave $20 or more off your visit and just dry your own hair when you get home.
3. Check out loyalty offers.
Many salons value your loyalty and are willing to reward you for it. Check with your salon to see if they offer any type of loyalty program. If so, take advantage of it! If they don’t and you are still in search of a good deal, don’t be afraid to shop around for the best price. The salon I've been frequenting offers a free hair cut after I purchase 10 cuts.
4. Don’t be tempted by sales pitches.
Many times the stylist will want to sell you the products they use in your hair. Don’t fall for the sales pitch. Kindly decline and resist the urge to make your final bill any higher. So many drugstore products are just as good as professional products these days, so save a little cash and opt for those brands instead.
5. Avoid bells and whistles.
A salon that offers complimentary beverages, robes, snacks, and other perks will come at a higher price. Skip these bells and whistles if you can and instead go with what you came for…a great cut and color! Salons that offer all of those extra perks usually add the cost into the service.
6. Ask about coupons.
Many salons offer coupons for savings on their services. Check the local paper for such deals or simply ask your stylist if he/she knows of any savings that are available. You might also find savings on their Facebook page.
7. Follow the salon on social media.
Be sure you are following your salon on social media so you can be the first to know about sales and savings that may be available to you. Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are all great places to follow your favorite salon.
Are you ready to save money on your next salon visit? If so, give these 7 tips for saving money at the salon a try!
Every Monday in 2015, I’ll be sharing a different idea to help you save money! Add all of these tips to your frugal repertoire and you’ll be able to save a lot of money this year! I hope you’ll gather a few new ideas or at least some inspiration from this series.
Are you guys enjoying this series? Have you learned anything new or gained some inspiration? I’ve been having a lot of fun writing these posts!
One way to save a bundle every day is to make substitutions for things you buy or do regularly. I think it’s possible to find a substitute for so many things these days. The list could go on and on!
When I say make substitutions, I don’t mean necessarily have to stop doing and eating everything you love. Just find a cheaper, and quite possibly, a better way to do it. If you love to stop for coffee, purchase a french press or an Aeropress for at home or work and start making your own instead of going to a coffee shop. Or, if you enjoy getting your nails done, why not find a friend who enjoys painting nails to do it for you? Make an afternoon of it!
Here are a few of the ways I like to make substitutions at home:
Sometimes making substitutions could be as simple as buying a carton of whipping cream (to whip yourself) instead of a can of pre-made whipping cream. Or for some frugal fun, why not find a new-to-you hiking trail instead of dishing out money for a local attraction. Or maybe you’re forced to make a substitution because you ran out of something. Check out this list of 100 Emergency Ingredient Substitutions.
As you go about your week, try to think of some substitutions you can make. Challenge yourself! I’m going to try my hand at some homemade bread. The bread maker has been sitting for far too long. 🙂
What are some ways you make substitutions in your life to help save money?
Every Monday in 2015, I’ll be sharing a different idea to help you save money! Add all of these tips to your frugal repertoire and you’ll be able to save a lot of money this year! I hope you’ll gather a few new ideas or at least some inspiration from this series.
Today’s 52 Ways to Save post is inspired by this amazing community garage sale that I hit up with some friends over the weekend. It was great! There were at least 40 garage sales in this one community. They even provided a map of all the sales!
And with that, learn to save big at garage sales with these tips:
Find the Sales
Before you jump in the car to find garage sales, you might be wise to do a little research beforehand. The night before you head out, be sure to take a look at the sales in your area. When you look at the garage sales in your area, you can plan to hit the sales closest to you so you’re not driving all over the place. Plus, having a clear plan of action in place will help you save big because you’re not going from one end of the city to the other then back again. Here’s where you can look for garage sales in your area:
Your local newspapers
Craigslist/Kijiji
Facebook Buy & Sell groups (I find people often post about their upcoming garage sales)
Write a List
Making a list of items you’re looking for can also be a money saver. Garage sales can be really exciting with all.the.neat.things that you must have for so cheap. All those neat things can add up to a lot of clutter and wasted money. So grab a pen and paper and start listing the items you hope to find that you will actually need. Get specific, especially when it comes to kids clothes. Over the weekend, I was on the hunt for 2 pairs of pants, 3 t-shirts, 2 pairs of summer PJ’s and a great pair of sandals for my daughter. I managed to keep most of my money because I could overlook all the cute things she didn’t need (dresses! skirts! sweaters!).
Be prepared
Now, it’s garage sale day. But before you jump in the car, make sure you’re stocked up on snacks and your beverages of choice. A day of garage saleing can be long and you don’t want to spend more at the drive-thru then you did on your garage sale treasures.
Bring cash
Make sure to have cash on you when you start. If you come across something that you must have, you don’t want to run to the bank and risk that item being sold to someone else! Having smaller bills and change is ideal.
Get ready to bargain
I’ll admit that bargaining isn’t my forte, but I did however, manage to do a tiny bit of bargaining over the weekend! I think most people expect you to offer a different price actually. So, just ask! The worst they can say No and the best they can say is Yes! Just make sure you offer something reasonable. Sort of lame, but one person said I could have my purchase for $8, but I countered with $7 (because I had a $5 and a toonie). He accepted and I’m pleased with the deal I got on two jeans in brand-new condition and a t-shirt!
Another trick I learned is to see if they’ll let you fill a bag for a fixed price. As I was digging through the kids clothes at one home, I was offered a plastic shopping bag that I could fill for $5. I would have jumped on this but I couldn’t find anything in the right size for my daughter.
Buy these items
I find that buying these types of items at garage sales will save you a load of cash in the long run:
Wedding supplies: Once our wedding was over, I sold all the candle holders and table runners that we had purchased. You might find similar items yourself!
Craft supplies: I’ve also sold a ton of fabric and card making supplies in garage sales over the years.
Collector items: If you’re a collector of a particular item, garage sales could be a gold mine for you!
Kid clothes: Can’t go wrong with buying kids clothes. Most of them will be in excellent shape since kids usually outgrow them before they get too worn.
Large baby/kid items: While I am quite hesitant to buy used car seats, I don’t think you can go wrong buying things like excersaucers, baby swings, high chairs and outdoor toys.
Since I didn’t find everything on my list at the community garage sale this past weekend, I plan on hitting up more future sales armed with the tips I listed.
What are your tips for saving at garage sales? What are some of your must-buy items?
Did you know you could be throwing away money each month, right into your own trash can? There are many items tossed into trash cans each month that are worth cash and can help put a little extra change into your pocket. Take a look below at 6 ways to turn your trash into cash and make a little money off of items you would normally throw away or recycle.
6 Ways to Turn Your Trash into Cash
1. Wine corks.
Wine corks have become quite popular with crafters lately. If you drink wine, set your wine corks aside. You can sell them on eBay or Etsy, where crafters are paying around .25 and up per cork. If you host a party or have been collecting corks over time, you could enjoy a real pay day!
2. Aluminum.
Don’t pitch aluminum cans. They’re worth cash! Take it to your nearest recycling center where they will count your cans and pay you the going rate. It is a quick way to get rid of the aluminum and make some cash in the process. With the money I get from bringing in our old cans, I like to put the balance into my daughter’s piggy bank.
3. Magazines.
Back issues of magazines are quite popular on eBay. If you have magazine subscriptions, sell your back issues on eBay to buyers in need. Niche topics are especially hot (crafting, hobby, fashion) and bring in a great price. So don’t toss those old magazines, sell them.
Don’t toss those old newspapers before checking them for coupons. When you toss coupons, it is like tossing money. Instead, check each page one more time and make sure there aren’t any savings you want to clip and take advantage of.
5. Glass bottles.
Glass bottles are another hot item with crafters. If you have glass bottles, especially colored glass, wine bottles, or decorative bottles, see about selling them first. Etsy or the hobby section on Craigslist or Facebook Buy & Sell groups are perfect for getting a few bucks per bottle. At-home wine makers are also always looking for wine bottles!
6. Scrap metal.
Most things that are metal (including cars, bikes, appliances, cans, file cabinets, BBQ grills, etc.) can be recycled for cash. To find out how much you can make, google “Scrap Metal Pickup” for your local city to find someone that will pick up your scraps.
See how easy it can be to turn your own trash into cash? Keep these tips in mind and you can make a little money off of the items you normally just toss away or recycle. So, how much cash is lurking in your trash? Take a peek and see which items you can weed out and get a few dollars for.
Do you have any “trash” items that you regularly like to turn into cash?
