Hot prices and hot temps: Inflation and the summer are here for a while. Most of us are scurrying to lower costs and save money from the highest inflation in 40 years, so I’ll cut right to the chase. Don’t scoff: Every little bit may help, especially in the long run. If you’re serious about saving money and increasing efficiency, read on: There are some helpful ideas here.
Groceries are a key item in every budget that is tough to tame. Here are some tips that have worked for us to stave off inflation. We’re spending about the same or less on groceries year-over-year, which means we’re making a dent in inflation.
Servicing items in your home may seem expensive, but it generally will save you money in the long run. Sprinklers, AC, caulking around windows, and other openings are some things that can be costing you money each month. Here are some tips and ideas to help.Many companies offer free inspections. Otherwise, you may have to pay a small fee for evaluation, which will go toward your overall cost if you have the work done.
Air Conditioning.
Cooling accounts for half your electric bill, so taking action can have an immediate impact.
- Set your thermostat higher. Every degree will help but start with 2-3 degrees higher.
- Change AC filters regularly. Depending on your filter type, AC professionals say you should change these every 30-90 days or so.
- Here’s a guide that may help you.
- Tip: Change all the filters at the same time. Set yourself a reminder on your phone or calendar for the date of the next change. Use a Sharpie to write the date on the filter.
- Open all vents and ensure they are clean. Use a duster to clean them if necessary.
- Keep vents open.
- Run ceiling or floor fans. I have a ceiling fan and another small fan in my upstairs office.
Other energy-saving ideas.
- Close blinds and curtains/drapes in unused rooms. We do this upstairs, and it works amazingly.
- Wash only full loads of clothes and dishes.
- Dry clothes later in the day or evening when temps are lower.
- Don’t “warm up” your car or let the shower/sink run while you aren’t using it.
- Change filters in refrigerators, freezers, ice makers, and other appliances where necessary. Most of these are out-of-sight, out-of-mind, so setting a reminder may be beneficial.
Water.
- Turn on the water when you’re ready to shower, not when you get into the bathroom while you’re getting things ready.
- Run a full load of clothes in the washer. 90% of the electricity in washing machines is used to heat the water.
- You can also wash more clothes in cold water.
- Check your sprinkler system. Replace old or not-fully functioning sprinkler heads in underground systems. We did this earlier in the week. Found and repaired leaks and recalibrated sprinkler heads that should maximize our system and lower our water costs.
- Maximize the range of movable sprinklers. For example, if you can cover most of the yard and beds with one sprinkler in the middle of the yard, you can save half the water instead of positioning it twice.
Want to take a deeper dive? Here are some great energy-saving tips from CenterPoint Energy.
Tips to save on your car and gas. Taking care of your vehicle can save you hundreds or even thousands on repairs every year.
- Compare your insurance premiums. Remember, though: Don’t cancel your current plan until you have finalized and secured your new plan.
- Check the air pressure in the tires. The correct PSI is generally listed on the side of your tire.
- Balance and rotate your tires. Do it once a year, increasing your car’s efficiency, including gas mileage.
- Clean or replace the air filter. It would be best if you did this every month. A dirty filter can reduce mileage by as much as 10%.
- Change the oil regularly, including the filter.
- Umm, finally, learn to drive better. Here are some tips we can all use.
You may find that you’ll save hundreds of dollars (or more) a year once you implement some of these changes. You may spend a few dollars for upgrades, repairs, or replacements, but like the old commercial says, “you can pay me now or pay me later”. “Later” usually costs much more than now.
