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Showing posts with label save. Show all posts
Showing posts with label save. Show all posts

Sunday, July 13, 2008

5 Ways To Save Money On Homeowners Insurance



  1. Insure Your Dwelling Only. Lots of homeowners have the misconception that they need to take out a policy that covers the full value of their home. This is unnecessary. Your policy really only needs to cover the cost of rebuilding your home and any other structure on the property. After all, if a disaster were to occur your home may be destroyed, but the lot surrounding it is still there.

  2. Buy Auto And Home Insurance From The Same Company And Save. Insurance companies offer deep discounts when you insure both with them. Pet owners who are looking for pet insurance may want to use this method as well.

  3. Take The Highest Deductible You Can Afford. Raising a deductible from $250 to $1000 may save you about $150 per year. This may also discourage you from filing minor claims, which brings us to the next tip.

  4. File Claims As Seldom As Possible. The more often you file a claim; the more likely they are to raise your premium. If it is a minor issue it may be wise to pay out of pocket. This could save you money in the long run.

  5. Choose Pets Carefully. Believe it or not insurance companies could raise your rates depending on the breed of your pet. Take the Pit-bull for instance. This breed has a bad record of causing liability damages, and the insurance companies will raise your premium as a result.

Friday, July 11, 2008

10 Ways To Cut Energy Costs Around The Home And Save Money


1.Make Sure Your Home Is Sealed Properly. Once a year you should do a walk through with a caulk gun, and make sure their are no drafts coming in.
2.Don't Run The Dishwasher Until It Is A Full Load.
3.Use Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs. They may cost a bit more than conventional bulbs, but they use a substantially less amount of energy, and last for years. They will easily pay for themselves and save you hundreds of dollars a year on your energy bill!
4.Install Light Dimmers. This is a great way to control the amount of electricity being used, based on the amount of light you need at a particular time.
5. Unplug Devices When They Are Not Being Used. Most devices will suck up energy while plugged in even if they are not being used (ie: cell phone chargers, blow dryers, radios, etc.).
6. Clean Or Change The Filter In Your Furnace Once A Month. Dust and dirt will make your unit much less efficient. Filters are very cheap, and having a clean one will save you lots of money.
7. Install A Programmable Thermostat. You can lower your heating and cooling costs by about 10% just by programming the thermostat to adjust itself during certain times of the day. Click here for a video guide to installing programmable thermostats 8. Make Sure Your Attic Has Adequate Insulation. Install more insulation if necessary. This will save you hundreds of dollars each year on your heating and cooling costs. And the cost for the materials and labor are tax deductible!
9. Take Showers Instead Of Baths. A bath uses many more gallons of water than a shower does.
10. Use Cold Water For Laundry. Their are cold water detergents on the market that will get your clothes as clean as they would be if you had used hot water, but will save you money on your energy bill!

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Save Money At The Gas Pump! The Savvy Saver Way


Today I paid $4.15 for a gallon of regular!Ouch! When is this pain going to stop?
We'll let's face it the national average for a gallon of gas is near four dollars! With the cost of crude oil steadily rising, it is unlikely gas prices will ever come down. In fact they are almost certain to continue climbing!
Here are some really simple measures you can use in your everyday life to save money at the gas pump. Trust me it adds up. You'll save hundreds of dollars a year on gasoline.

1.Keep Your Vehicle In Great Shape
*Keep your tires inflated to the recommended pressure. Under inflated tired waste fuel.
*Check your spark plugs, and replace if necessary.
*Change your oil routinely.
*Have your vehicle checked regularly for balance and alignment.

2.Be Smart At The Gas Pump
*Pay with cash if the gas station charges a fee to use a credit card.
*Buy the lowest grade of gasoline that is appropriate for your vehicle. This information can be found in your owners manual. Higher than recommended grades will not provide any benefits to you. You are basically throwing your money away!
*Put that gas cap on tight! Gas can easily evaporate if it has even the smallest of openings for which to escape. If you don't believe your cap is fitting snugly and providing an air-tight seal, it's time for you to purchase a new one.

3.Some Things You Can Do Before Driving:
*Plan your trip. Avoid driving in rush hour traffic if possible. An engine idling in traffic burns much more gas than if it were just cruising along.
*Complete multiple tasks in one trip. For example: If you know can pick up your groceries on the way home from work do it. Try to consolidate tasks and eliminate unnecessary trips. Starting a car with a cool engine will consume much more gas than it would if the engine was still warm.
*Get that junk out of the trunk! An extra 100 lbs of cargo can decrease your fuel efficiency by about a mile per gallon! Carry only the emergency items needed.
*Avoid long warm ups. Even on a cold morning 60 seconds is plenty of time to warm up your car. If your warming your car up any longer Stop! You will quickly notice the gas savings, and will be filling the tank less frequently.

4.Some Things To Do While Driving:
*Slow Down. Avoid rapid acceleration and sudden stopping. These conditions cause the engine to work harder and as a result burn more gas faster. When traveling on the highway use cruise control features whenever possible. This will increase your mpg (miles per gallon)rating.
*Remove snow tires when driving in good weather.