Every bit helps, right? These days, articles abound explaining how small changes in spending and saving can compound over time, either landing you deep in debt or happily comfortable with money in the bank. To begin to put your financial house in order, many people break the concept down into making more money or spending less money. Here are some ways to spend less money on your utilities.
Unplug, unplug, unplug. When you're not using your cell phone charger, your television, your hand vacuum charger, or other chargers, unplug them. These use very small amounts of electricity, of course, but every bit adds up. (Look around: is your printer on?)
In the summer, hang to dry your laundry. This has the added benefit of making both your clothes and your dryer last longer. For those who don't like to do this, cut down on drying time by shaking each article of clothing before you put it into the dryer. This allows your dryer to be more efficient which can save money in the long run.
Set your thermostat on a timer. This makes it automatic, so you don't forget to turn off the heater/air conditioner during the day.
Play outside. Go for a walk, head to the park with a frisbee, or meet up with some friends for board games. This both helps you to be healthier and cuts down on television/computer and light use.
Have your meter checked. Does your bill seem particularly high, especially for time periods that you know you haven't used a lot of electricity? Call and get someone from the electricity company to come take a look.
