Tips To Limit Expenses

So many Americans are living from paycheck to paycheck, with most Americans just three paychecks from bankruptcy. One way to increase your monthly cash flow is to stretch your dollar. Listed below are some ideas on how you can save, prevent waste, and even reduce your impact on the environment.

Remember, a penny saved is a penny earned.

Ways to limit home expenses
• Turn off the lights when possible
• Upgrade from incandescent light bulbs to fluorescent bulbs – they last longer and use less energy
• Unplug all electrical appliances that draw a current. The appliances could be “off,” but it could still be drawing energy.
• During the winter use a wood stove for home heating
• Reduce your water consumption i.e. shorter showers
• Hang your clothes to dry instead of using a dryer
• Purchase only Energy Star approved appliances
• If your refrigerator is old consider replacing it. A new energy efficient model could pay for itself
• Use your air conditioner only at night – also consider a model that has a timer
• Insulate your home and pipes
• Review your phone service
• If you have a cell phone consider dropping your land-line
• Cut back on the cable or satellite service
• Consider a low cost internet provider
• Cook your food – pre-packaged food is typically more expensive
• Drink filtered tap water instead of soda or bottled water
• Cook dinner on the weekends. Dining out often adds up!
• Use cloth towels instead of paper.
• Plant a home garden. You could get several months worth of organic vegetables for free!

Limit Transportation Expenses
• Drive less – when possible carpool or use public transportation
• Go easy on the brakes. It’s better to coast to a stop. Hard braking can cause warped rotors- big expense!
• Don’t speed – not only can you save yourself a traffic ticket, you won’t use your brakes as much and save gas
• Make sure your tires are inflated to the manufacturer’s specifications. If your tires are under inflated,
properly filling them will improve your gas mileage
• Turn your car off at long waits
• Keep your car tuned up – a dirty air filter or fowled spark plugs can drastically reduce your gas mileage
• When going through the drive through consider using pocket change.

When shopping
• Buy store brands when available– you can typically save 25% on your purchases
• Make a shopping list before going to the grocery store. If its not on the list, don’t buy it
• Buy home electronics “open box,” they still have the manufacturer’s warranty and are often 40% off the regular sale price
• Assess the cost of smoking and heavy drinking, Is it really worth it?



“Beware of little expenses. A small leak will sink a great ship.”
- Benjamin Franklin


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