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Start Small, Save Big
10 Things You Can Do Today to Save Money
By Gina Roberts-Grey
"If you can't pay the entire bill immediately, pay half or a portion," Bracken says. "Then, pay the remainder before the due date." The amount of money saved monthly will vary depending on the balance of the loan. As you pay off the loan, you'll be paying more toward your principle balance.
There are also several companies that offer outsourcing services for consumers to process and pay their utility bills. Companies such as Save More Resources and Cadence Utility Bill Processing offer customers a greater level of efficiency and the chance to eliminate late fees.
3. Ask Questions
There are often extra charges on utility bills or optional insurance plans added onto credit card balances that we pay for without having requested the service. Marie Koch of Kenmore, N.Y., reduced her telephone bill by $7.95 a month by inquiring why she was being charged for some features she never ordered. Doug Saia of Rockland, Maine, was shocked to learn his exterior gas meter had a small leak that was not only costly, but potentially dangerous. "It's the equivalent of leaving the faucet running all day long," he says. "I had no idea how much money was leaking out."
4. Read Your Receipt
Whether you take a minute before leaving a store or save time at the end of the day, review your receipts to make sure you were charged the correct price for the items you purchased. Was the coupon you presented actually deducted from your total sales price?
5. Washing Your Budget
Use the cycles needed according to the stains and condition of the clothes being washed. "Many times it's easier to leave the washing machine set to use the largest setting," says Randi Morrison, an au pair in Wilmette, Ill. "I found that the clothes are washed better and we all have the added bonus of lower utility bills."
6. Where Does Your Water Go?
The water generated from spring thaws and late summer rans provide the chance to turn your sump pump into a built-in irrigation system. Rerouting the water that drains from your gutter or sump pump water to the garden or a tree reduces the need to turn on the sprinkler or garden hose. You'll also prevent one area of your lawn from becoming too wet and thus needing to be replaced due to the excessive water.