My electric bill keeps rising. Installing ceiling fans is out of the question because I'm only renting the house, and as a renter I'm not allowed to make any drastic changes to the house; it's an older model house. And when I turn off the AC, the house gets really hot and doesn't cool down.

How do I save money on my electric bill without using the AC if my house doesn't have ceiling fans?

Turn it up to at least 80 when you aren't going to be there. Don't put it below 76. Stay downstairs if you can because heat rises. Close the vents to rooms you don't use. Box fans are always good and inexpensive.

Open windows on opposite sides of the house and use box fans to get cross ventilation. Avoid raising the blinds or curtains when the sun is shining directly through windows.

How to save money on my electric bill?

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{John Boal/News & Messenger}

Heather Porter, left, and Brooke Turner have started a blog and a business to teach people how to use coupons to save money.

GAINESVILLE, Va.—They call themselves extreme coupon users.

And they want to help you become one, too.

Heather Porter and Brooke Turner started "Hip to Clip Coupons," a business aimed at helping people learn to use, and to love, coupons.

The women, who live in Haymarket and Gainesville, started clipping coupons to help their families save money. With children ranging in age from toddlers to teens, they started to learn about good deals for all ages.

Soon, people started to notice.

"We'd be saving 60 to 80 percent on our bill every time we went to the grocery store," said Turner. "People kept asking us, 'How do you do that?'&#034

To answer that question, Porter, who works as a piano teacher, and Turner, a former Prince William County teacher, started teaching how-to classes at local community club houses a few years ago.

Last month, they started a blog to offer money-saving tips and to point out good deals.

Their goal is to show people how to save money, and how to have fun doing it, Turner said.

Many people associate clipping coupons with being on a tight budget, Turner said, but that's not always the case.

"You can still enjoy life while saving," Turner said.

"Neither of us keep a budget, because there's really no need," said Porter. "By using coupons and finding good deals, we're saving enough money already.&#034

Porter and Turner are both avid coupon-clippers and deal-hunters and both often save as much as 80 percent on their grocery trips, they said.

Turner said her best shopping trip was the time she went to an area grocery store, bought a shopping cart full of food, and the store actually owed her $14.86.

The key is knowing how to combine coupons with sales and other special discounts to maximize your savings, they said.

"To us it's art form, it really is," Turner said. "It kills me to go somewhere and pay full price for something.&#034

Porter agreed.

"We're just really passionate about it," she said. "We tell our friends you're crazy not to use coupons.&#034

As busy mothers, Porter and Turner said they don't have a lot of spare time. Porter is a mother of five kids ages 14, 12, 10, 7 and 5 and Turner has three young children, ages 11 months, 3 and 4. So they clip coupons whenever they can, sometimes while sitting at the pool or on the sidelines of a sporting event.

At the grocery store, they shop with big binders filled with coupons, sorted by product and category.

"People see [us] in the grocery store and   they want to know how we do it. Husbands will come up to us and say 'My wife needs to do that,'" Porter said.

The women teach two classes, one about how to get started with coupons, and one about how to find good deals in other places. Their next class will be held Aug. 12 at the Piedmont clubhouse in Haymarket. The cost is $25.

For more information or to sign up, visit hiptoclipcoupons.blogspot.com.

Staff writer Amanda Stewart can be reached at 703-530-3908.   View More: No tags are associated with this article Not what you’re looking for? Try our quick search:    

Making it hip to clip—coupons

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Angie’s recent post about saving money – and how to save money on her upcoming nuptials (congratulations again, Angie!) – raised some interesting issues on how being greener can cost you less in the long run.

In my recent book “How To Get Married In Green” (shameless plug) my original remit was to research and share ways in which creating a greener wedding is good for the planet. What was fascinating, as I found out, is that being greener very often means being less expensive, too.

And although the focus here is on weddings, these money-saving ideas will work for a number of different types of event and celebrations.

So here are some key tips on how to be green AND reduce your costs…

Jewellery. In terms of engagement rings and wedding rings (and other precious gifts) it’s far greener to go for used jewellery and even have old jewellery of yours melted down and remade into what you want, thereby recycling. The mining of precious metals is being revised due to the traditional types’ horrific effects on nature, but much of it is still dubious. If you want a new gemstone, a simulated diamond is likely to be a lot more eco-friendly than a diamond (or other precious stone) mined in the cruel, nature-stripping conditions still common in some parts of the world. Cost-saving result? Lots – especially if you go for simulated stones. (Never mind the moral cost saving.)

Stationery and communications. Whether you’re organising a wedding or other celebration, a lot of money and resources can be used up on paper-based communications. Do yourselves a favour and use the online variety which is cheaper, more convenient, more immediate and doesn’t have to be boring. (And if there are a few people on your list who do not have / refuse to use online communications, a few short notes and stamps won’t break the bank.) Cost saving? Depending on your event, could be hundreds or even thousands of £££s/$$$s.

Clothes/fashions. This is especially relevant where weddings are concerned but can also be an issue with other family/business celebrations. Do you really need to buy new? If you need a wedding dress or other special outfit, why not check out secondhand shops (Oxfam are especially useful here), eBay and other sources. And besides that, there is the option of hiring a stunning designer outfit for a fraction of what it would cost to buy from numerous hire businesses around the UK. Cost saving? A lot. End of.

Gifts. Many celebrations – especially those of a familial nature – require gifts to be given to whoever you’re celebrating. Do you really need to give an expensive, brand-new gift? Or could a second-hand item, lovingly chosen, be even more appropriate? And if you’re organising an event, would donations to a favourite charity be more appropriate as a “gift” everyone could contribute to? Cost saving? Perhaps not much, but a more worthwhile choice.

Flowers and other decorations. A huge amount of money can be spent on these things when a little imagination can create a wonderful scene for much less, and be greener as well. Consider using locally grown, seasonal plants and flowers which are far kinder to the environment one way or another. Consider hiring topiary and other potted delights, which are re-usable. Consider using and/or hiring other forms of decoration like fruit, vegetables, pine cones, ivy, pebbles, sea shells and more. Cost saving? A fortune, if you’re happy to rule out flowers that are out-of-season.

Receptions. Do you really need to go wild on a four-course meal, especially if it involves foodstuffs from far away that cost a fortune? Why not consider pot-luck meals … brunches … tea parties … cocktail parties with drinks and canapés … all in the main more eco-friendly and a damned sight cheaper than the whole hog. Cost saving? Potentially substantial, and possibly enchanting.

Transportation. Does your wedding or other event REALLY need to take place in a charming village in the forests of Latvia or on the sands of the Bahamian Out Islands? Or could you do the planet a great favour (and save your family and friends a small fortune) by choosing a location that requires you and your folks to travel a minimum distance so saving hugely on airmile and road transport pollution? And even at a local level you can do more, by suggesting a central meeting point after which everyone travels by train or hired coach to the ultimate venue and back. Cost saving? Hundreds or more in air fares, plus a fair amount of individual car/fuel/pollution costs and a great deal in terms of saved (breathalysed) drivers’ licences.

That’s it for now but if you want any more ideas, or have any questions, please let us have them here!

Suze

How you can save money on your wedding or other event – by being greener

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Finding cheap textbooks can help you go back to college. The fact is, with the economic downturn, the job situation in the US is not good. Many people are out of jobs and many who are still employed had to accept a pay cut. Intersecting, quite a few of them have decided to go back to school because they believe that when things improve, a better qualification will help them get a better job at a higher pay. However the problem is, if you are going to be a full time student, the cost of books could be very high – in fact, they could go into several hundreds of dollars for each semester.

Do you need some help finding cheap textbooks? You could try out used textbooks because they could help you save a lot of money. Finding used books is quite easy. You can look for them on your campus too – many senior students give advertisements in the school paper to sell their used textbooks, and you could benefit from the low prices. But do remember that you should try to get your books early because cheap deals always go early.

You could try the local book store as well. Yes, there might be a long line at the store, but if you can spend some time, you could end up saving a lot of money. However you should know that there are many such book stores that do not sell cheap textbooks, so make some enquiries before.

The best way to find your cheap textbooks is by looking for them online. Actually there are quite a few good websites from where you can find both new and used college books, and you can save money on the Internet as well.

Going Back to College – Learn How to Save Money on Your Textbooks

Popularity: 1% [?]

I'm a sahm with 2 children. any suggestion how to save money and spend less on groceries etc. We are also thinking of ways to make money like babysitting and mowing lawns.

Have you tried applying for WIC? I know that they help out mothers and children providing them with health food each month (I think its montly) Babysitting is a great way to earn some extra money, plus it might be appleaing to the potential "clients" that you have children they can play with. Also, buying in bulk seems to be cheaper than buying singly if you can. I'm not sure if in your state they have them but there is a chain called Aldy's and they always have cheaper food. Try buying offbrands as well. (the products are bascially the same) My best guess for you would be to try WIC, and babysitting sounds like a great idea if you can get interested people. Mowing lawns is also a good idea if you can watch your children at the same time. Maybe try cutting back on your bills too, like electric make sure you turn off lights when you leave the room. Or if you have like extended television channels, maybe go down to just basic. Good luck! =)

Here is the WIC website if you want to check it out:
http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/aboutwic/

Even if you think you wouldn't be able to get it, it doesnt hurt to try. I'm a military spouse and a lot of military families are on the program.

you could buy packets of seeds and grow some veggies. my mate has just started doing this with her 2 boys, they love seeing the plants grow

if you can knit, you can make great jumpers, hats, gloves and jackets for your kids. you can also make them and sell them to other people.

depending on the age of your kids, you could take another kid in during the day while his parents work. my mum used to do that.

plan your meals, and only buy what you need so there is less wastage.

Make a menu for the week before you go shopping. That way you only buy what you need, and you are not left wondering what to have for dinner at 6pm.
I also shop at discount places and markets for fresh fruit and veg and other foods. You can get some good bargains. And it feels good knowing how little you have paid for healthy food.
If you use a lot of chicken (we do) Asda and Tesco both do frozen chicken breasts for 3 pound a kg, which is half of what you pay for fresh. I also don't buy any brand names. Shops own brands can be just as good.
Try and go for more meatless meals too, such as pasta, noodles, rice, or eggs, as they are so cheap.

Start using an envelpope budget system so you can keep track of where your money goes. Its quite shocking when you see it all written down, but doing it helps you to stick within your budget.

Also check out tips on frugal living also. I aim never to buy anything full price. Ebay is my favourite place to shop. We have a house full of decent furniture, and we've paid a fraction of the new price for it.

Always keep or print out any vouchers you find. Most supermarkets let you use them even if you dont buy the product.

Check out uswitch to see if you are getting the best deals on your fuel. Do the same with any credit cards or loans that you have too. Phone round for better car insurance deals, and let your current insurer know and see if they can match them.

Finally, have you thought about becoming a childminder? You can earn money while staying at home and taking care of your own children.

edit

Forgot to mentiion car boot sales. Most of my kids clothes are bought from there. Its not worth paying full price when they grow so fast. I also shop at charity shops in posh areas. Things there are like new!

For groceries, the best thing to do is a make a menu ahead of time. The longer you plan for, the more you will save. (less trips to the store) After you create your menu, make a shopping list for the menu. Stick to your list. Also, the less trips to the store, the less chance you have of buying something you do not need.

Also, stores like Aldis can be a great place to pick up things and save money. Alot of people are scared of the fresh meat there, and I'm with them, but you can get canned goods, cereals, etc for a fraction fo the price at the big supermarket. Also look for coupons for the things you will buy, sometimes they can save you $20-$30 on your whole order. Sometimes more.

Around the house, make sure to turn off lights when you are not using them, shut down your computer at night, I even unplug the microwave to save on electric bills. Also, those CFL lights really do save you some money on the electric bill.

When it comes to clothing, it is understandable to get some quality things, but if you really are on a tight budget sometimes you can find those quality things at second hand stores. In my area, there are quality second hand shops that only accept certain brands etc. If you are not a stickler on that sort of thing, then you can try any second hand shop. Those shops are also a great place to get your kids books and they sometimes have VHS tapes or DVDs. If you, your husband or your kids play video games, look to the internet for great deal. Craigslist.com is full of people trying to sell their games and systems. Ebay.com also has great deals. For furniture, also look to craigslist.

try thegrocerygame.com

make your list of meals for the week and just get what you need based on that list, but first check at home to see what you have. sounds so simple and I'm not trying to be condescending but it took me forever to do this simple act. use coupons. don't go out places as much. stay at home and have fun (less gas). i think babysitting is a good idea if you don't mind doing that. best of luck.

also, sell things on Craigslist if you are in the US. I do that to make some money!

What i would do first is kep track of every dollar you spend for a month or two so you can see where you are "leaking" money. I know you said your grocery bill is big, what about your cable bill? Would it be cheaper to drop all the extra channels and subscribe to NetFlix instead? Do you have a terrible habit of buying that cute little outfit for baby #1 just because it happens to be on sale?
First find out where you spend your money – it is easier to cut your spending when you know exactly where it goes.

To help with the ever growing grocery bill we are into once-a-month cooking. We buy our grocerys in a bulk and take a weekend and cook for the whole month, portion it out and freeze it. This not only saves us because we buy food in bulk but it also saves us $$ because there is no "i don't have anything to make for dinner lets get a pizza".

Something simple – if you can, save all your spare change. I've been doing this, and by the time I roll it I come up with anywhere between $55 and $85 so far. Something small you can do that's a worry-free and stressless way to save money.

You can receive food + health samples over at http://FreeHealthySamples.info

That should help save you some money.

Sahm ways to save money???

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Hi,

I do a lot of shopping nearly everything in Asda. Anyone tells me how to save some money ? Except those discounted food, products etc. I know there is a Asda Credit card that can save petrol.

Is there any vouchers or club card that can use in Asda?

Thanks

buy clothes with big pockets and fill them with goods, then walk out! problem solved! lol

by the smart price asdas own stuff its cheaper and tastes nice!!!

dont take as much cash with you

run out without paying if you get caught claim political asylum

How to save money in Asda?

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I need help finding out how to save money on water bills because mine are too high.
I read the article here:

http://www.gomestic.com/Personal-Finance/How-to-Lower-Your-Bills-Water.852619

and they gave me tips, can you guys check it and see if they would help me?

How to save money from water bills?

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Okay, so we all know that military pay stinks…..
I have been trying to save as much money as possible but it just doesn't seem to work, there's a necessity one after another. My husband is the bread winner in our relationship at the moment, as I am 3 weeks away from giving birth. It just seems like bills never end! I would like some great advice on how to save money and a good strategy in doing so, thanks to you all!!!

Two ways – Have an allotment for US savings bonds – they can't be cashed for one year and you only need $50 or more. Or there is the military thrift savings plan. Have him check with his unit clerk.

How do I save money on Military wage?

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Today, we are living in tough times. The entire global economy is on a downswing and we must do what we can to save our money as much and as early as possible even if it wants us to “force” ourselves for doing it. Indeed, it’s hard to change the whole picture individually, we should at least take a grip of our own priorities and bring a change now to ensure the security of our own family.

Here are some major steps you can take in order start saving money.

1-FOCUS ON SPENDINGI-Write down every penny you spend on a daily basis and regularly so that you can see and check what, where and why you are spending your money on.

II-Do away what you don’t need, look around your house, search and select those things that are not needful, sell them.

III-Refinance the mortgage on your home to decrease your house payments by several hundred dollars.

IV-Cut back on entertainment expenses. For example, instead of purchasing your favorite DVD, you can either look online for used versions or rent the movie. You can do the same with music and video games.

V-Educate your kids about how to save money. Make them understand how important money is and the impact that it will have on their lives.

2- DEPOSIT AT BANKI-Open a saving account and determine how you will be saving everyday, month, quarter, mid year and every year and you will be well-prepared and equipped economically, especially when unseen circumstances arise.

II-You can ask your employer to put at least 10% of payment into a high interest bank account, after a while you won’t miss it.

III-You can think of putting your funds into a term deposit to keep them there for several months and not withdrawing.

IV-If your spouse is good at saving then ask him / her to setup an individual bank account where your money can be safely stored and you won’t have access to it.

V-Using an interest-based current account will give you an advantage of withdrawing with cheques or ATM. You will have to always leave some balance in the account daily and it will yield interest.

3- GET DISCOUNTSI-Get the best discounts on the things you buy and need to buy so that you do not over pay and you are satisfied with your purchase.

II-Look for freebies, rent instead of buying and buy things in bulk, use recycle papers and look for used good off the internet.

III-Utilize package deals on cable, internet, and phone from cable companies at a discounted rate.

IV-Clipping and using coupons is a great way to save money on everyday expenses. Coupons are abundant through local newspapers and the mail and are very easy to collect, and you can really get quite a few fairly quick.

V-During shopping, get benefit of various consumer offers and sales.g. buy one get one free. For grocery shopping, check if you can search for some big whole sales stores instead of making expensive purchases at typical retail shops. 

4-SAVE ENERGY AND FUELI-You can cut-down your electricity bill by switching off the unused lights or adjusting the temperature settings of your refrigerator. Use energy-saver bulbs / lamps in your home. Only use the dishwasher when it is full.

II-Think of replacing your old appliances with energy-saving devices which carry labels being an energy saver.

III-If you insulate your home, it will reduce the cost of heating and cooling.

IV-If you’re a homeowner, consider converting over to a gas water heater. They are much more efficient which will help save money over time.

V-Save gasoline for your automobile by check tires regularly, accelerating and decelerating slowly while running and removing unnecessary weight. Keep filters/converters clean and if possible, try to keep windows and sunroofs closed especially at high speeds.

5-INVEST WISELY1-You can lend money to financial institutions for a specified time so that, later, your money can be repayed to you with interest. A lot of investing options are available nowadays, such as bonds, insurances, stocks, etc.

2-Refrain from being in debt and manage your investment plans successfully. Refrain from debts that involve high interest rates.

3-If you prefer a long term saving option, the insured account of money markets can be your choice. Since it is for a long term basis, the financial institution gives a high interest rate.

4-You can also invest your money in collectibles and other items that will grow in value over time. You know that they are going to grow, so you hold on to them until the time comes that you need to sell them.

5-Don’t forget to concentrate on the basic investment areas.g. shares, property business, partnership or joint ventures, stock markets etc. Select an option that is best suitable for you.

Summing up, if you know the right ways, it is easy to make money. With some thinking, innovation and self-restraint, you can hold your precious money to a big extent.

Rob Granthttp://www.articlesbase.com/finance-articles/25-top-strategies-to-manage-your-money-722879.html

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25 Top Strategies to Manage Your Money

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My hubby makes about four thousand dollars a month and gets paid every two weeks. Our bills are about 3500 a month and we have no credit cards just morgage car and so on. We live from payday to payday and we have to borrow money sometimes to go to the store for food. We have 3 kids also. I hate living this way so I need some advice on how to save money and not be tempted to use it when we think we need it.

Open up a separate free bank account like ING and direct deposit from your bank even $10 each payday. It adds up and you won't miss that small amount. And Leave it Alone for a year at least.

$4,000 a month in income and $3,500 a month in expenses is tight. You need to increase your income and/or decrease your expenses. Another part time job for your husband or a part time job for for you. No dining out, cut back on vacations, turn down the thermostat, clothes from the Salvation Army, only used cars, basic cable only, only one cell phone. Lots of ideas.

Write down on paper a budget, and each payperiod give each dollar a name so when you budget for food make absolutely sure that you are not over budgeting, this will take about 3 months to master. Then, each dollar that you can spare send it to payoff that car, that's what's messing you up, pay it off quickly and you will see how you can build up your savings. You can do this by: stop eating out, stop shopping for a while until you finish paying off the car. But you need to see on paper so you can see reality.

Try buying a state or government gaurenteed bond. It can also be automatically taken out of your hubbys pay every two weeks, then:

If you have no credit card debt I would see about a blend and extend on your mortgage to lower your mortgage payment. I would also see about trading in your car(s) for a cheaper monthly payment OR returning a leased car and buying a car out right to avoid a monthly payment. I would also shop around to see if you can get a better rate on insurance. Lower your montly bills one at a time and it may take some research, especially for things like insurance. See if you can cut back on your cable package, your internet, get your kids to wash the dishes in the sink instead of the dishwasher. hang your clothes on a clothes line.

Someone here on YA once suggested to treat savings as if it were another bill to pay. So try to save at least 10% of your paycheck:

Savings
Food
Rent/Mortgage
Utilities
etc..

Try to cut out luxuries for awhile: internet, cable, eating out, etc.

This is what I did to save for my emergency fund. I opened a savings account at a Credit Union different from the one where my checking account is. I have $25.00 from each paycheck directly deposited into the savings account(bi-weekly paychecks) and the remainder is deposited into my checking account at another institution.
For my savings account I ask NOT receive a debit or atm card. What that means is if I really want to get some money out of the account you have to physically go to that institution. If it is not so close to you, and if the hours of operation conflict with your work schedule, you will find it a chore to have to make that extra trip.
This is what I am doing now, and it works for me.

We make 6000 a month and our total bills including groceries added into the expenses are only 2800, and that is with having a credit card. I find it hard to believe that your bills alone have accumulated to that high of a number, especially without a credit card. You must be adding in your extra shopping, etc. If your bills alone are truly that high… I would suggest having a consultation with a financial adviser and taking it from there.

PLAY WORLD OF WARCRAFT!

Do you have any advice on saving money?

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