Thrifty Ways to Save
By: Jenny Sweeney
Thermometers aren’t the only things rising this summer. With the ever-increasing cost of daily essentials like gas and dairy products, Americans across the nation are looking to cut their summer spending habits. Check out these tips to keeping cash in your wallet.
Turn It Up Investing in a programmable thermostat can equate to over $180 in savings per year. By bumping temperatures higher in summer and lower during the winter months, not only will your wallet thank you, but so will the environment! According to Energy Star, changing settings during a typical 10-hour workday to 8 degrees lower in the winter and 7 degrees higher in the summer can help save energy, lower your energy bill and maintain a comfortable temperature in your home at all times.
Bonus: If you tend to be more cold-blooded, layer up! Invest in thermal sweaters and blankets in case you’re chilly.
Cut the Caffeine If you’re a caffeine junky, you probably find yourself running to the nearest Starbucks or local coffee joint once or twice a day "because you need it". Look at your spending long-term. That tall caramel macchiato runs at $3.45 a pop and is packed with 120 calories. Over a typical 50-week year, that means $862 of your salary was spent on coffee alone, as well as 30,000 extra calories sipped.
Bonus: Can’t kick the habit? Purchase coffee for your office in bulk; add caramel drizzle for that extra sweet flavor.
Write it Down Have you ever just "had to have" the adorable skirt or perfect shoe you hadn’t intended on buying? Don’t worry, most of us fall prey to wandering eyes while shopping; whether it’s the grocery store or the tres-chic shop around the corner, we’ve purchased things we don’t need. In order to beat temptation, write a list before you leave for the store. If your list is too long, try eliminating things you simply want, instead of need. Also, be sure to shop on a full stomach; shopping while hungry encourages more spontaneous purchases (candy bars, chips and other junk food items).
Bonus: If you’re still having trouble sticking to a list, try walking to the store; you’ll only be able to buy what you can carry and its good exercise.
Re-imagine Renovation By now, you’re probably recycling your canned and paper goods, but have you ever considered saving what you’re ditching? Instead of buying a plastic shelving unit, old coffee tins make perfect storage units for all small garage parts. Plastic grocery bags make great make-shift trash bags and paint tray liners.
Bonus: Can’t keep all those plastic bags contained? Re-use tissue boxes and store plastic bags in this convenient, portable box.
Jenny Sweeney is a copywriter with DMi Partners, an interactive marketing agency committed to informative websites, including American Financial Freedom.org, a site devoted to debt consolidation and personal financing.
Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com
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