Go "Green" to Save Some Green!

Courtesy of: FeedThePig.org

Go "Green" to Save Some Green!

The very first Earth Day was 40 years ago in the spring of 1970. At that time, it was a grassroots event that raised concerns about the environment. In 2010, estimates suggest that more than one billion people in more than 190 countries will participate in raising awareness for the environment and implement personal changes to be more "green" on April 22.

Implement these green ideas and save money at the same time.

• If you are a homeowner and have access to your hot water heater, turn down the temperature from 140 degrees to 120 degrees or lower. This can reduce your home heating bill by 6-10 percent.
  
  
• Have a computer at home? Take advantage of your computer's "hibernate" setting when you aren't using it to prevent the computer from wasting energy. Even better, use a surge protector to turn it completely off. Some computer and television models continue to draw energy even if they are turned off.
  
  
• It may seem trivial, but turn off your lights! Now that days are growing longer and brighter, keep your lights turned off unless you need them. If you leave a room, switch the lights off as you leave. The savings may be slight but can really add up over time. Consider adding a timer or motion sensor to your lights to make it more convenient so you don't even have to think about it.

Winter Savings Tips

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This winter, keep your family cozy and your wallet insulated by following
these easy steps:

• Dial back your thermostat 1 degree cooler during the winter season to
help slash your energy bill.

• Caulk around window frames, door frames and seams on the outside
of the house to keep heat in and cold air out.

• Take advantage of your body's natural heat. Wear sweaters, warm socks
and long pants around the house.

• Use a programmable thermostat to automatically control your home's temperature. It can keep your house cooler during the day and warmer during the evenings. This could save you an average of $180 a year.

Following these tips can immediately reduce your energy costs. Learn
more Winter Savings Tips.

Maintaining Good Credit in Turbulent Times

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Sustaining a good credit score can be difficult when you are unemployed and money is tight. Here are some tips to maintain your financial health.

• Immediately evaluate expenditures, bills and financial accounts for strengths and weaknesses. Adjust your budget accordingly and minimize discretionary spending. Identify where you can lower or perhaps cut out expenses for entertainment, dining out and vacation or holiday travel.

• Contact your financial institution to inquire if it offers a hardship program. If so, you may be able to negotiate a payment plan that may include reduced interest rates and/or a lower monthly payment.

• Understand the impact that cancelling a credit card will have on your credit score. If the card is one that you've had for some time and consistently paid off, it could negatively affect your credit rating.

A credit score is based on your bill-paying history, debt profile and other statistical information. Lenders use this to determine the likelihood of certain credit behaviors, including whether you will pay on time. Closed accounts, liens, bankruptcies and late payments are a few of the financial missteps that can negatively impact your credit score for up to 11 years.

Summer Savings

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Summer Tip #1: To save on your air conditioning bill, turn off unnecessary lights during the day. Much of the energy used by incandescent bulbs is emitted as heat.

Summer Tip #2: To save 1-2 percent on your energy bill, unplug electronic devices and chargers when they aren't in use. Most new electronics use electricity even when switched off. Turn computers and printers off at the power strip.

Summer Tip #3: For a more energy efficient way to cook, use your microwave instead of your stove. Microwaves use two-thirds less energy than conventional stovetops.

Summer Tip #4: Consider replacing your incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs, or CFLs. They use about 75 percent less energy and give off 75 percent less heat but produce the same amount of light as incandescent bulbs.

Summer Tip #5: Make some shade! Awnings, blinds and drapes keep sunlight from entering your home. Install them on windows, skylights, doors, and other places where the sun comes through. During the day, closing the blinds and drapes to filter the sun will keep the room's temperature from rising.

Summer Tip #6: Planting trees in strategic areas can reduce the energy a house uses for cooling by up to 25 percent. Deciduous trees (that lose their leaves) help block the sun during the summer and still allow the winter sun to warm your home. Also, planting trees and shrubs around your air conditioning unit can increase its efficiency by up to 10 percent. Just make sure to place them at least 18 inches away so they don’t block the vents.

Summer Tip #7: “Summerize” your home by adding insulation and sealing air leaks around the house. Add insulation to the attic or add to already existing insulation. Weather-stripping and sealing drafty doors and windows will keep your house comfortable year-round and potentially save you hundreds of dollars.

Summer Tip #8: On a hot, sunny day, dark-colored roofs can reach temperatures of up to 150º to 190º F, heating the living spaces below. Consider adding a reflective coating to a dark roof, or choosing a lighter color when it’s time to replace the roof.

Summer Tip #9: Have an extra refrigerator in the garage that you’re not using? Unplug or recycle that spare refrigerator if you don't really need it, and it could save you up to 10 percent or more on your energy bill.

Summer Tip #10: Thinking about buying a new refrigerator? Refrigerators with a top or bottom freezer design can save you an additional 2-3 percent on your energy bill compared to a side-by-side design.

Money-Saving Ideas for Your Pets

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In addition to being excellent companions, pets have been known to lower blood pressure and provide emotional support to their owners. However, all pets also require care and devotion. Here are some money-saving tips to help keep them
active and healthy.

• As an alternative to buying expensive dog toys at the store, consider buying toys at yard sales or using pet-safe items lying around your house and garage.

• Making your own pet treats can be fun, easy and inexpensive. Use your pet’s favorite foods such as peanut butter and apples, or use healthy ingredients such as oats, flax seed and whole wheat flour.

• If your pet requires constant medication from the pharmacy, wholesale stores such as Costco, Sam’s Club and BJ's may offer the medicine at a reduced price.

• Health insurance coverage is available for many kinds of pets and can be useful for covering unexpected expenses such as serious injuries or illnesses. Policies vary on premium costs and coverage, so take your pet’s age and health into consideration when researching the insurance that’s right for your wallet and your pet. Remember that pet insurance may not be the best, or most frugal, choice for everyone.

Visit www.FeedthePig.org for more money-saving tips.