Janet Thompson
ERA Dream Team Realty
(949)795-9949
Janet_Thompson@cox.net
www.JanetThompson.com
Lic# 01406180
These are difficult times. When money is tight, we need to tighten our belts and cut back on unnecessary expenses. Consider these strategies for some good cost-cutting ideas while ensuring our families still have a fun-filled summer, but at the same time stay within our budget.
Eating at home is a lot more cost effective that eating out. Restaurant meals are fast and easy, but are costly. With an array of bulk buying and discount stores, buying food, condiments and supplies for multiple meals at the same time is more cost effective. Planning ahead for meals alleviates last minute pizza deliveries. Plan ahead for work lunches, too. If you bring a lunch you are less likely to run out for a quick bite before your next meeting.
Rent movies instead of going to the movie theater. With companies like Netflix, Blockbuster, and Hollywood Video, not to mention movies you can order through your existing cable and dish systems, movie rental is easy, inexpensive, and the choices are tremendous. Schedule a time for the movie to begin and make popcorn to create that theater feeling.
When kids are out of school is the best time for family vacations. “Stay-cations”, vacationing while staying at home, are a good substitute for costly vacations with hotel and airfare eating up most of the vacation budget. Take advantage of our local vacation spots we live near but take for granted. Orange County has miles of coastline, world-famous beaches, and water sports that rival any tropical island vacation destination. Within an easy day’s drive, we have access to beaches and lakes, mountains and deserts, wilderness areas and national forests. We have art galleries, museums, zoos, vineyards, islands, and casinos. From shores to mountains and palms to pine, whatever scenery your family prefers, we have more variety within a days drive than anywhere in the nation. A tank of gas and a picnic basket fits into the budget and is good “togetherness” for the family.
Southern California water reserve levels have dropped and Orange County is experiencing a level two water alert. The district is enforcing a 20% decrease in water usage from every household. Instead of watering our yards every day, we now need to cut back to three days a week; two designated weekdays and either Saturday or Sunday. Although this is mandated upon us, it is a great way to cut water bills and save water for California at the same time. While reprogramming your automatic sprinklers times, it is a good time to check the entire system to ensure you are using every drop of water wisely. Adjust the sprinkler heads to correct over-spraying of fences and sidewalks and to minimize runoff.
Other than water, ours homes utility bills are a large chunk of our budget. Lighting accounts for 25% of energy usage in most homes. Replace your incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent ones. The initial up front cost is more per bulb, but will last up to ten times longer and is four times more energy efficient. Unplug or turn off electrical equipment like computers, televisions, cell phone chargers, and lights when not in use.
Turn up your thermostat to 78 degrees. Every one-degree you turn it up saves 1% on air conditioning bills. It may not sound like much, but it adds up. Buy a programmable thermostat, especially if your home is vacant most of the day. Set it to turn on a half hour before you arrive home. Change your air filter as often as once a month, clean filters help your system run more efficiently. Try NOT to run the air conditioning. Open windows and doors in the cool morning and evening hours and close windows and window coverings during the direct sunlight hours helps keep your home cooler. Ceiling fans are a good substitute for air conditioning. Circulating fans keeps the air moving and gives the feeling of a breeze. The refrigerator accounts for 8% of your home’s total energy expenditures, since it is running all of time. Vacuuming dust and debris from the coil helps it run more efficiently. This should be done one or twice a year, depending on dust or pet hair levels inside your home. Insulating your water heater with a pre-made water heater blanket kit. It simply is a fiberglass insulation blanket that wraps around the outside of your water heater. The kit will cost about $10 at a home improvement store and can save 25%-40% on water heating costs. Lower your hot water thermostat to120 degrees. You don’t need tap water any hotter than 120 degrees. This is not only a safety issue but also will save money on your gas bill.
These are difficult times and money is scarce for all of us. Tough times cause us to re-evaluate what we do, how often we do it, where we spend money, and separates our “wants” from our “needs”.
