Money

3 Ways to Save On Your Energy Bill During the Winter

December 13, 2018 by Kathryn 1 Comment

As a busy mom, you have enough to handle over the winter months. With the hustle and bustle of the holidays and the arrival of colder weather, household costs can start to climb quickly.

During the holiday season, it is pretty common to want to save money anywhere possible. One way to save is by cutting costs on energy usage and by preventing inefficiency. There are several factors that contribute to higher utility bills in the winter, and recognizing these factors is the first step to lowering energy costs.

feet by fire

Consider these energy saving tips to improve utility bill expenses during the winter months!

Adjust the Temperature

Keep the thermostat as low as possible while still staying comfortable. Wearing extra clothing can help in keeping the thermostat lower. Whenever you are out of the house, turn the thermostat back 10-15 degrees. This can also be done at night while you’re sleeping. Lowering the thermostat can help you save 10% or more on utility bills. By using a programmable thermostat (or a smart thermostat like the Nest Learning Thermostat), this can be even simpler to achieve, as you can adjust the unit remotely as you’re on your way home from work, or set it to turn on an hour before you wake up.

Weatherization

Weatherizing your house will aid in keeping the house warm, while keeping costs down. Utilizing insulating drapes on windows is an extra step to ensuring the cold air stays outside where it belongs. Finding and sealing leaks, gaps, or holes around pipes, chimneys, unfinished spaces and any other opening is important. Fill gaps with caulk, foam, or weather stripping as required. Weather stripping can be used on doorways and windows as well to seal out frigid air. In a pinch, you can even cover windows with heavy duty plastic on a frame to seal warm air in.

HVAC Maintenance

Replace filters for the furnace and heat pumps monthly, or as often as needed. It is also necessary to regularly assess and make repairs on your HVAC system to ensure it is working efficiently. Checking the system for leaks, breaks, rust, or corrosion should be done regularly to ensure safety. Read this guide for more information on how to get the most out of your furnace, and how to know when an issue is serious enough to call for professional help.

sensi wi-fi thermostat on wall

Venting and ducts should be inspected for leaks or damage. These issues need to be addressed quickly to avoid the added cost and headaches of compounding problems. To further ensure efficient heating, you may choose to upgrade or replace your old HVAC system. Upgrading can be completed by retrofitting the furnace or boiler with the most energy-efficient options.

There are also rebates available so you don’t have to break the bank when you invest in a new unit. Some companies offer up to $3,200 in combined savings and mail-in rebates on featured furnaces. The right HVAC specialists will also offer protection plans to help you avoid unexpected repair costs. These plans often include:

Annual maintenance by licensed, professional technicians
Live telephone support 24/7, 365 days a year
No pre-inspection – which makes it easy to get coverage
No-term contracts

There are several factors that contribute to higher utility bills; by considering these energy saving tips you will not only stay warmer, but save money this winter, keeping you and your family — and your wallet — happier!

How To Make A Big, Scary Move Easier On Your Family

November 19, 2018 by Kathryn Leave a Comment

That promotion you’ve been angling for has finally become a reality, or you’ve found a dream house in your dream neighborhood, and it means moving to a totally new city. First things first, congratulations! But as exciting as such a big event is, moving is also a lot of work.

And it’s even worse when you’re uprooting your family to move to the other side of the country. If you’re facing down a big move, prepare yourself with these simple tips. Whether you’re moving abroad, to another coast or just to a neighboring city, they’ll help make the task a little easier.

Discuss it with the Family

Moving is nerve-wracking for everyone, but for kids who just started to make friends at school, it can be a frightening new experience. They might be worried both about leaving these friends behind and meeting their new classmates. [Read more…]

5 Tips to Deciphering the Validity of a Trusted Review

June 5, 2018 by Kathryn 1 Comment

Today, more and more people are turning to online stores for their shopping and other purchases. Instead of visiting department stores and merchandise outlets, shoppers now choose to just browse and scroll from the comfort of their own homes. I love being able to shop in my pajamas!

And with everything from clothes, appliances, televisions and furniture, up to more luxurious purchases like car accessories, gadgets and smartphones available online, shopping has never been easier. Aside from the convenience online shopping provides, the prices are also often cheaper compared to a physical store’s price. Best of all, the selection is almost always better as well, since the items available don’t have to be physically stocked in-store!

But the one thing that online shopping doesn’t offer is the ability to actually check out a product firsthand. When it comes to expensive items, being able to see, feel, touch and sometimes hear the product can make all the difference when it comes to taking the plunge on a big-ticket item. The best online deal can still cause hesitation if a shopper is worried about product quality. [Read more…]

Top Tips For Keeping Kids Entertained On A Shoestring Budget

March 22, 2018 by Kathryn 1 Comment

Keeping kids entertained at the best of times can be a struggle. With their interests changing and their concentration moving from one activity to another, ensuring that you have plenty on hand ready to keep them focused when it’s needed is a must – but what do you do when things are getting tough financially? While there may be a short term loan available if you find yourself in a financial emergency, keeping children entertained doesn’t have to be a costly affair. Here are a few top tips for keeping the kids entertained on a shoestring budget.

Make-Believe Games

A child’s imagination is their greatest tool and when things get boring, it can definitely make for some incredible entertainment. Of course, they tend to lose themselves in their own imaginations a lot of the time, no adult help needed. But when they want to spend time with you, the imaginative play doesn’t have to stop. Conquer kingdoms, fight dragons, play doctor or frankly anything that you or they can come up with. I promise you that they’ll love spending a bit of playtime with you no matter what adventure you’re embarking on. [Read more…]

5 Saving Tactics & Apps to Help Your Family Budget This Winter

February 5, 2018 by Kathryn 1 Comment

Winter is that time of the year when expenses get a little higher and budgets get a little tighter. Many families need to be a little more careful with savings, so take a look at these fun tips and tricks to save more, easily.

As winter reaches its peak, the energy bills also spike up, forcing you to look for both power and money saving tactics. Here are a few useful and effective savings tactics and apps that will take care of the soaring prices and help you keep a tight lid on your finances. There’s no need for that budget to go haywire as the snow starts piling up!

[Read more…]