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Cutting Costs
Remember every penny counts when on a one income family
Hydro/Water Bill Heating Bill Phone Bill Credit Cards Life Insurance/Car Insurance/Education Plans Gas Prices Grocery Bill
There are many ways to save money, starting with cutting your costs. Most of these tips you may already know because it's just common sense. Be sure to read through them ALL as I am sure there maybe some tips here that you never thought of doing to help cut your costs.
Hydro/Water Bill
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save by turning off your hot water tap to your washing machine
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wrap your hot water tank with insulation
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fix any leaks your taps may have. If you don't have money to buy new faucets, then just caulk them until you do
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save by using florescent light bulbs and turn off lights when there is no need for them to be on
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use fans instead of an air conditioner
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draw your curtains to keep cool air in
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hang your clothes to dry instead of running your dryer
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if your someone who likes to fall asleep with the television on, then set your television on a timer so it shuts off an hour after you figure you'd be asleep
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cook with electric frying pans, toaster oven, deep fryer, slow cooker or microwave instead of the stove
Heating Bill
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use an oil heater on chilly nights
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use that wood stove if you have one (you can also use the top of the wood stove to cook on too)
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wrap windows with plastic wrap
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draw your curtains to keep heat in
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reach for a blanket/sweater instead the the thermostat
Phone Bill
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cancel that call waiting and any other unnecessary features
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contact your service provider to find out what plan is best for you
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if you have the internet, find out if there's a plan or a cheaper service provider
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if you have home phone, cell, cable and internet, find a service provider that will offer a plan that combines them for the cheapest rate
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carefully review your telephone bill every month
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You should review your monthly telephone bills just as closely as you review your monthly credit card and bank statements.
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Look to see if you have been charged for any long distance calls you didn't make or for any new charges. Some companies raise their prices and notify you in fine print on your bill.
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Does the bill include charges for services you did not authorize?
Credit Cards
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ONLY use when necessary
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use only the lowest % rate card that you have
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don't miss those payment deadlines
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use your debit card because you will think twice about spending the money and there's not bill payment at the end of the month/WITH INTEREST!
Life Insurance/Car Insurance/Education Plans
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This is very simply, contact many companies to get the cheapest rates, yet the best plan for you. Most people know this but don't actually take the time to find out what plans/rates are out there. So my modal is don't just think about it do it do it do it!
Gas Prices
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if you drive a truck put a cover over the box and you won't waste as much gas
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change those tires to smaller ones, remove snow tires
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keep your car tuned up and in good repair, watch for gas leaks
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Avoid buying higher octane gas than your car requires. If your car doesn't need it, you're wasting money.
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save money with self-service
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Buy gas when it's cooler during the day to reduce gas evaporation.
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Keep your windows closed when driving on the highway. Open windows can reduce your gas mileage
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Consider buying a car that gets better gas mileage when you choose your next car.
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buy your gas at the wholesale clubs, like Costco
Grocery Bill
One thing a stay at home mom can do is take advantage of saving money on the grocery bill. Whereas when both parents work , there isn't much time for home cooked meals. Which usually means buying expensive already pre-cooked foods. We also have time to shop for deals at more than one grocery store.
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make a list of what you need, then look in the flyers for sales. This way you won't buy what you wouldn't normally buy , just because things are on sale doesn't mean you need it.
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take the time to look for the cheapest buy when in the grocery store
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shop at more then one store because all stores have sales on different items
look over the shelves as high priced foods are in eyes view as lower costs foods are on the higher& lower shelves
leave the kiddies at home as they can end up racking the bill up
shop on a full stomach and when in a good mood, as a bad mood you may over spend
make a list
keep in mind what you can buy cheaper at other stores
Don't forget to look at my recipes!
Note: Remember to pay bills on time! Wow! Have you ever added up the interest rates on all your bills? In one year it adds up to be half a mortgage payment for us. I like to have that interest money in MY pocket not the service providers. Heck their payments are enough! Go to the Top
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