How A Low-Income Family Can Survive!! Great Money Saving Tips!!

Your Water Bill is the simplest to reduce!!

#1 Take Shorter Showers ~ Just by taking a few minutes off every shower will save you money! Set a Timer- (this works great for kids) and takes the question out of how long the water was in use. Installing a low flow shower head can make a difference here as well. DO NOT TAKE BATHES!

#2 Turn Off the Water!! Turn off the water while brushing your teeth, or while washing your face! You can waste over two gallons of water each minute! You will be amazed at the water saved!!

#3 Reduce your toilet's water consumption! This process is quick and easy and can save you up to two gallons of water per flush. Simply place a brick or a drink bottle filled with water into your toilet tank. This reduces the amount of water that needs to be replaced with each flush.

#4 Wash Small loads of Clothes ~ It is better to wash 3 small loads than 2 large loads!

#5 Check for Water leaks and Drips. ~ The smallest amount of water loss adds up quickly!!

#6 Fill the dishwasher completely. Running half-empty loads will use excessive water! If you hand wash your dishes! Don't fill the sink up with water! You can clean the same amount of dishes with the sink half full of water as you can with a full sink. And make sure your turn off the faucet when not Rinsing dishes. Find a container to use in your sink. Like the tub/ bucket you get at the hospital. This will limit the amount of water you use in your sink!

#7 Think ahead!! What else can I use the water for? If you can't bring yourself to give up the occasional relaxing bath, make the most out of the water. When you're finished bathing, pour a cup of bleach into the standing bathwater. Let this soak for fifteen to thirty minutes, then drain the tub. You've just combined your bath with cleaning the bathroom.

#8 Let nature water your plants. Use a rain barrel to hoard as much water as you can and use this to water your plants, both indoor and outdoor. You will also reduce your water use by watering outdoor plants at dawn and dusk. They are able to absorb more water during these times when the hot sun doesn't burn it away.

#9 Pets~ If you have pets keep them from drinking out the toilet. Every time the water level in the toilet goes down the water comes on. Also find a dog water bowl that uses a two liter bottle to water your animal. You can find these anywhere pet supplies are sold. Fill a 2 liter bottle almost to top and freeze. This allows your pet to have water constantly without spills or it all getting drank up at once.

#10 If your sink is like mine, it takes a few seconds for hot water to come out of the hot water tap. The point is to catch and use the cold water that comes out, instead of letting it go down the drain. Place a water jug or other container under the spout of the sink and then turn on the hot water. Catch all of the water that comes out until the water gets hot. Store the container of water in your refrigerator and use it for things like: drinking (if your tap water tastes good), filling up pet bowls, watering flowers, making coffee or tea, etc. Use this water for anything that you would normally use cool or cold water for!

Just remember the more of these tips you use the more your savings will be!!

#1 Check your home's furnace ducts in each room. Make sure that there is nothing obstructing the vents such as long drapes or furniture. If something is blocking the air flow, it will take much more energy to heat or cool the home to temperature.

#2 Replace your incandescent light bulbs with more energy efficient fluorescent bulbs. While you may initially have to pay out more for these bulbs, they drastically reduce your energy consumption (up to 75 percent) and they last much longer than regular bulbs. To add to saving, remember you do not have to fill every spot with a light bulb. For a fixture that can take 4 bulbs, try only using 2 for savings.

#3. Unplug your charging units when you are not using them. Studies show that when a cell phone charger is plugged in to the outlet, it continues to draw electricity even if the phone is not connected to it. Same with game consoles and radios.

#4 Check your windows for drafts. Clean and recaulk around the windows when you notice the old caulk beginning to wear. Or cover windows with clear plastic.

You can also check receptacles located on the home's exterior walls. If you feel a slight draft coming through the outlet, you can purchase rubber weatherproofing seals to be installed between the wall and the outlet plate to seal it more effectively

#5 Make it a habit to routinely clean under your refrigerator, plus the coils on the backside. Accumulating dust will cause the compressor to work overtime! Also, turn down your refridgerator a little bit, and that will use less power as well.

#6 If your air conditioning or furnace is over three years old, it should be inspected at the start of the heating or cooling season for efficiency.

#7 Make sure the weatherstripping around your front door, as well as all of your exterior doors, is in good shape. If not, replace it.

#8 You can save nearly $300 per year if you replace your current thermostat with a digital programmable thermostat. This will enable you to stop the air conditioning from turning on while you are at work or when nobody is home. Have a set temperature during the summer and winter months. Set it to something that's comfortable for you and your family and don't change it. Continual adjustments to your thermostat makes your heating and cooling unit work harder. The harder it works the more you end up paying.

#9 Remember, for every degree you lower your temperature in winter, or raise it in the summer, you will save two to three percent in your energy costs. Just changing the way you dress and altering the temperature a little can add up to big savings!

#10 Turn off the "heated dry" cycle on your dishwasher and allow them to air dry. Not only will it reduce your energy use, but in the summer it will also help to keep your home cooler

#11 Help save your electricity bill in the summer by installing ceiling fans and cutting down on your air conditioning use.

#12 Turn off Computers and TVs when not in use. Most TVs have timers you can set on them.

#13 Get a hot water heater "jacket." These insulating wraps that go around the outside of your water heater help keep the water temperature higher, especially in the winter, thus reducing how hard your heater has to work and the resulting energy costs. Consider turning down the temperature on your hot water heater or purchase a newer "tankless" water heater, which uses less energy than the standard models.

#14 Use a clothes line~ Just by using a clothes line only for heavier wash loads like towels and blankets can lower your bill.

#15 Turn the lights off. When you're not using them of course. A lot of people, myself included, have their lights burning in broad daylight. Flick those lights off and open up your blinds and let the sun produce it's natural lighting and heating.

#16 If you have a spare bedroom that you rarely use, close the vents in the room, and keep the door shut. This way, your central air system is cooling or heating less space. allowing it to work more efficiently

#17 Plant shade trees around your house. These will help keep your house cool in the summer. Evergreen trees make great wind breaks to save you money on your electric bill during the winter

#18 Dry your clothing in the evening when the temperature is cooler. Doing it during the day when the temperature is hot will cause your air conditioner to work harder to cool the house down resulting in higher energy costs.

** try to use cold water to wash your clothes as apposed to hot. This will decrease the amount of energy your hot water heater uses.

19. Use a toaster oven instead of heating up the regular oven for small items.

20. Cook on the Grill ~ Not only is it better for you, it will reduce your electric bill!!

Yes Cut the cable or satellite off. You can watch TV on the computer these days. Free or for a LOW monthly fee. You can even buy plugs to hook your TV up to your computer for better viewing!!

If you don't want to cut you cable off. Think of combining your services. Most companies allow you to bundle your cable, internet and phone in one package. Make a call to your cable company every few months to make sure you are getting the best package.

Why go to department stores and pay full price for clothes? Shop at Thrift Stores, Consignment Shops and Garage Sales. You can get the same name brands a whole lot cheaper in just as good of shape as store bought. This is perfect for growing kids. Why spend $80.00 on an outfit for them to grow out of in 6 months!!

#1. Spend an evening visiting art galleries, shows and museums. Not only is it low cost, but it can improve your appreciation of art and offer new experiences.

#2 Throw a pot luck game party. Invite your friend to bring a dish and have an evening's entertainment playing cards or some other game that all of you can enjoy together.

#3 No matter how small the community, there is always kids basketball, baseball, hockey, football and soccer going on. It can be a school game or Pop Warner/Little League type games. They are always fun and generally played with as much enthusiasm as any pro game. The cost of entry is hardly ever more than a few bucks.

#4 Your state has parks that offer a variety of activities for you enjoyment.

#5 Go hiking. It gets you outdoors and improves your cardio.

#6 Outdoor concerts in the park are a must. You can usually take an inexpensive drink and a snack to enjoy while you snuggle on a blanket and enjoy the music.

#7 Buy Games for the whole family to enjoy. Board, Card or Console!!

#8 Go to the River or lake! Most places are free! You can cook on the fire, roast marshmellows, fish, swim, and lots of other stuff!!

#9 Rent a movie instead of going to the movies!! And if you do go to the movies. I always go to the store and buy the candy my family wants and a couple 20oz drinks. I will buy popcorn at the movies and a drink but i refill the cups from the 20 ounces. I would rather sneak the food in than pay those prices!!

#10 Bowliing is fun! If you have a Wii system start your on league at home!!

You can have these same nice things. Just think used instead of buying it brand new. Check your local new papers, yard sales, thirft stores, ebay and other used item places. You wouldn't beleive the nice used stuff you can get. Same with furniture! Get your piece of furniture cheap, sand it down, slap some wood stain on it and it is new again at a fraction of the cost. Kids really don't care if their stuff is brand new or not!

#1 Buy in Bulk ~ It may cost more at once but in the long run you save alot!! A Sams Club is a Great Place to do this! For example, Lever 2000 soap is $2.69 for two bars at the store.($1.35 a bar) At Sams Club you can get 12 bars of Lever 2000 for around 9 dollars ($0.75 a bar) Not only are you saving money you don't have to make a weekly purchase either.

#2 Never Pay full Price ~ Any and everything you could ever need or want is on sale at some point. Buy extra Chicken when its on sale! Stock up on Buy One Get One Free items. If you just stock up on one sale item a week over time this will add up. And you cabinets and freezer will remain stocked at all times.

#3 It's amazing how much you can save just by taking a lunch to work instead of buying it from some fast food place. For example a $6.50 lunch, 5 days a week. compared to taking in your bagged lunch which costs $3 a day. Do you know what you'd save in 4 years? $3,793! On lunches! Try it out and see what you'd save on an average day.

#4 Examine the expenses in your family. Keep a record of your electric bills, water bills, heating bills, mortgage or rent, car payments, insurance, medical bills, and grocery costs. Then, compare the total of these bills with the income of the household. Make sure that the expenses are not greater than the available income. If there is more money going out than coming in, make a list of the bills that are your top priorities. This might include items like mortgage payments and utilities, and then food. Then, find other ways to bring in extra income for the family. You can find plenty of extra income makers right here on the internet!!

#5 Save all of your loose coins and change in a jar. Place those pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters in a "fun jar". Don't forget to check in between the cushions of the couch, around the area where you do your laundry, and old coat pockets in the closet. When the jar is full ( or almost full ) , your family can use this for a treat of some kind. Maybe a movie, dinner out, or some item that the family would love.

#6 Recycle ~ Crushed cans and Aluminum Foil will bring in some extra cash!

#1 Shop without your kids If you shop while the kids are at school, you'll avoid them pressuring you for treats, and make more sensible choices.

#2 Meats ~ Always get the Family pack! I can buy one family back and get 2 meals out of it. Freezer Bags work better than you think.Just make sure there is no air in the bag when you seal it!! Meats can stay in the freezer up to a year!

#3 Eat Healthier! Aside from being good for you, fruits and vegetables are cheaper than processed foods. Buy your vegetables from a Farmers Market. Cut up, label and Freeze in Seperate bags for later use! This saves alot!!

#4 Buy Bread and Snack Cakes from your local bakery. We have a merita bread box. I can buy 3 loafs of bread at Merita for the same price of one at Foodlion. You can always Freeze Bread!!

#5 The most expensive items tend to be in the easiest spots. Before you grab that item on the endcap or the shelf at eye level, look in the lower shelves first. You might find a cheaper brand there that makes them less money.

#6 Use a list to shop, but know when to stray from the list. Using a list will help reduce those impulse buys of items you don't really need. But, don't overlook items that are exceptional bargains. Consider swapping items on your list. For example, if fresh corn is on sale, and at a great price, consider substituting it for one of the veggies on your list.

#7 Know what items you are short of. You can avoid "associated purchases" if you know what you have on hand. For example, many people buy ketchup when they pick up frozen french fries, because they aren't sure if they have any left at home. Know ahead of time what condiments, seasonings, and sides you already have at home.

#8 Good Old Fashioned Coupon Clippings ~ This does take some extra time but well worth it!!

#9 Again Buy in Bulk when an item is on sale or Sams Club!! Know your prices before buying in bulk!!

#10 Plan your meals! Very Handy when making a List!!