Money Saving Tip #132: Use Cruise Control

When you travel on a highway or interstate with little traffic, opt for your vehicle's cruise control feature.  This will help keep your speed steady and generally lower.  Frequent changes in your vehicle's speed causes you to burn more fuel. 

Money Saving Tip #131: Don't Get a Fresh Towel Everytime

When you get out of the shower, you are clean, right?  So why would you need a fresh, clean towel after each shower?  The answer is:  you don't.  It is completely unnecessary to use a fresh towel after every shower.  Use it for 3-4 days (showers) before grabbing a fresh one. 

Money Saving Tip #130: Your Normal Water Heater Temperature

Instead of keeping your water heater tempterature at a high degree setting, change it down to 120 degrees.  Most all of us enjoy a super hot shower in the winter, but it is not necessary.  This will cut down on the energy it takes to keep your water heater at a higher setting.  Lower energy means more savings.  Plus, it is safer to keep the setting lower too! 

Money Saving Tip #129: Close Your Damper

If your home has a functional fireplace, you probably have a fireplace damper.  A damper is the plate that covers the opening to allow smoke to travel up your chimney stack.  When your fireplace is not in use, be sure that the damper is closed.  This will allow you to keep your air conditioning inside in the winter and the heat in the winter. 

Money Saving Tip #128: Open Your Windows at Night

Daytime temperatures in North Georgia can be quite high.  On the contrary, the overnight temperatures can be quite comfortable.  Right before you go to bed at night, turn off your air conditioner and open your windows.  This allows you to save money on your A/C bill and to bring some fresh air into your home. 

Money Saving Tip #127: Change your Air Filter

Having a dirty air filter can slow down your furnace and air conditioner.  When it's dirty, the machine is not working effectively and will need to expend more energy to work.  Change your filter every 3 months depending on the type of filter you have. 

I also recommend buying a quality air filter for your home.  Those cheap, poorly made filters don't trap pollutants as well as a quality filter. 

Money Saving Tip #126: Carry-On Luggage

Most airlines have been charging for your checked luggage for several years now. The cost is usually $25-30 per bag. This is a huge extra, unnecessary fee. Reduce the amount of "stuff" you travel with, and pack only required items in your carry-on bag. Once you get to your destination, visit a grocery store and buy small or travel sizes of shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste, etc. Don't forget to buy some laundry soap and fabric softener or dryer sheets so you can do your laundry.

When you pack your clothing into a small carry-on, only pack items of clothng that are simple and can be worn together.

Bonus Tip: Wear a layer or two of clothing for your flight instead of packing it in your bag. Just don't tell the airline that you heard this suggestion from me.

Money Saving Tip #125: Cover Your Pot

When boiling water on your stove, use the lid to cover the pot. The water will boil faster, thus cutting down on your stove use. Use this same tip for warming or cooking on your stove.

Money Saving Tip #124: Rent Your Kid's Musical Instrument

Now that kids are back (or almost back) to school, some kids may sign up for their school band. If this is your child's first experience with a musical instrument, don't rush out and buy the latest and greatest. If your child's school does not provide the musical instrument, opt to rent it at a local musical supply store instead of buying.

Money Saving Tip #123: Check the Expiration Date

We all like to believe that our grocery stores pack the newest and freshest foods. But in reality, their stock can have flaws. Whenever you grocery shop, always check the expiration date of every food item you buy.

The grocery store personnel will stock the freshest items in the back of the shelf or at the bottom of the pile. They rotate the items by always pulling food to the front before re-stocking. The food in the front may even be expired or near expiration. Save money by checking the expiration dates to ensure that the food you keep at your home lasts as long as possible.

And on the contrary, if you are buying food that is going to be consumed that day or the next day, buy items that expire immediately.