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Brrrrr….it’s cold out there, isn’t it? At this time of the year our utilities costs go up dramatically, and it’s difficult to find a balance between keeping the house at the temperature we’d like and the amount we’d like to be paying. So, here are a few Frugal tips to help you cut the amount at the bottom of your utility bills.
First, invest in a programmable thermostat. This will allow you to keep the house at a comfortable temperature without having to run it constantly. In addition to that, you can program it to remain off during the day when you’re at work, but set it to begin running again shortly before you get home. So you can come home to a cozy, warm house and not have to worry about gouging your bank account to do so.
Next, replace your old incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. Now, I know these bulbs can be a little irritating (taking forever to reach full illumination, etc.), but I’ve found that if you purchase your bulbs from a reputable hardware store, you receive a much higher quality product. These magnificent little innovations can cut the amount that you spend in electricity nearly in half! On top of that, they don’t let off as much heat, which can save you money on air conditioning in the warmer months. What’s not to love?
Finally, to take a cue from my mother…ahem….turn off the lights!! Yes, she was always right, wasn’t she? Simply turning off the appliances that you’re not using is the easiest way to carve up that electric bill. Always check to make sure that the T.V. is off, and not simply on a black screen. Make sure that DVD player, video game consoles and stereos remain off while not in use as well. Yep, mom sure had some good sense about her. Bonus tip: unplug devices you won’t be using for a while (or turn off the power strip). Many electronics draw electicity even when they’re “off”.
That’s it for now. Any other ideas out there? You know we’d love to hear them! See you tomorrow everybody!
