Keep Your Utilities in Check

I’ve really gotten into a nice little groove of budgeting for my mortgage, loan payments, utilities, groceries, and Chipotle habit.  No real surprises anymore.  But as comfortable I may be with my current finances, I’m still always trying to save a buck.  I can’t control my mortgage and loan payments but I can certainly make some changes that will affect my utility bills.  So I researched, and made some changes.  Did it make a difference?  A little bit, but every little bit adds up.  Here are a few tips that have helped me save on my utility bills:

1) Turn down the heat.  Or, during the summer, the AC.  I’ve found that as little as a 5 degree difference can make a significant dent on my electric bill.  Opt for the blankets and sweats rather than cranking the furnace up and you will notice a change in your bill.  Also, if you’re like us and constantly on the road, be sure to lower your thermostat before you leave town.

2) Use less water.  I turn the water off when brushing my teeth or doing dishes.  There’s also a setting on our laundry machine to use the lowest possible amount of water.  It all sounds trivial, but it really does add up.

3) Find and seal drafts.  Whether it’s the windows or cracks in doors, our house is pretty drafty.  I installed new weather seals on all our doors.  Eliminating window and door drafts cost me about $100 but it’s a worthy investment.  I’m paying for the heat, so why not keep it in my house?

4) If you’re not using it, turn it off.  The lights, TVs, radios, ceiling fans, etc.  It makes so much sense but we’re all guilty of leaving a light on in another room. 

5) Set up budget billing.  This allows me to… well… budget.

6) Eliminate the unnecessary.  A landline telephone for instance is something that is unnecessary for us.  Start looking for the unessential items in your home and cut them out if you can.

These are just a few things you can do to better help you manage your utility bills.  Do you have any other tips to save a buck?  Let us know!