They’re popping up all over town. Have you seen them— crocuses, daffodils and daisy buds? They’re a teaser, making us think spring has already sprung. And while we’re ready for it, the cold truth is we still have some long days ahead before we usher winter out that door!
Saving in winter can be tricky, so while we’re still securing our hats and gloves, I’ve compiled a few simple ideas to help us tighten our belts.
In Home Practices:
•Turn down the heat. The U.S. Department of Energy says you can lower your utility costs by 5% for every degree you can lower your thermostat. Keeping the heating thermostat set at 68 degrees is ideal (and doable, for most).
•Let the sunshine in! Open the blinds and say "Good Morning" to FREE heat! And don’t forget to close the shades at night to keep you insulated and cozy.
•Shut it off. Easy, frugal practices to lower utility costs include turning off lights and shutting doors when you leave the room, unplugging rarely used appliances and putting computers to rest every night.
•Evaluate energy use. Complete a home survey at www.energyright.com and learn about your energy use. You’ll also receive a FREE Conservation Kit filled with items to help you save money.
Food for Thought:
•Buy produce in season. There are certain times of year you will find select fruits and vegetables on sale. In winter you should be aware of your selections and check prices carefully. For instance, the berries you may buy for $.99/lb in late spring, may still cost you $2.60/lb in winter--- a big bite from your wallet!
•Brew coffee and tea at home. I know, I know- I’m a Starbucks fan too. But did you know you could save around $1,520 a year just by brewing at home?
• Brown bag it. Yep, you’ve heard it before and I’ll say it again. Taking time to prepare a lunch ahead of time for school or work can save you (at least) $1,300 a year – and that’s if you normally spend just $5 a day for lunch. So, learn to love your leftovers, folks!
Savvy Shopping:
•Stock up on sale items! When you find a super mark-down on an item you like, toss a few extras in the cart for future use. Why pay full price later when you are saving on that item now? Thinking ahead is prudent, as that item may not be on sale next time you decide to hunt it down.
•Towards the end of this cold season, winter items go on sale big time—to the tune of up to 75% off! As one option, consider buying children’s clothing up a size or two for next year. By the time December comes around, the kids will be bundled up and ready to go!
On the Go and Branching Out:
•Warm up your vehicle! According to fueleconomy.com, every time you take a short trip with a cold start, your car loses twice as much fuel as a longer trip covering the same distance (when your engine is warm).
•Borrow instead of buy. Does a neighbor have a tree trimmer you could borrow? Ask. What are neighbors for? And that new best seller you’ve itching to read? Check it out—at the library!
•While you’re cooped up, sell out (so to speak). Use the colder days to post an item for sale on NacNak (free classifieds—you post it for free, they print it for free ), Craigslist, Etsy, Amazon or Ebay (.com). Enlist a savvy friend or family member to get you started if you’re new to profiting online. It’s not as hard as you might think to make a few extra bucks on a few extra things you have laying around.
Sit tight and don’t dismay. Winter is a time to become more inventive in pinching our pennies. But soon, very soon, we can be dancing in fields of clover over how much we saved in time for the fun of spring!
