Low Income Energy Assistance Program

Every year there are sad stories about people dying in the winter or the summer because they couldn’t afford to pay for proper heating and cooling. It isn’t a new problem. Did you know that before air conditioning, a large number of people living in New York City would die each summer from the heat? Those who could afford to do so would vacation in cooler locations. Those who could not just hoped for the best. Fortunately today, there is help for people who can’t afford their heating or cooling bills. The U.S. Government has a Low Income Energy Assistance … Continue reading

75 Things You Can Do to Save Money (2)

We are counting out 75 different things that you can do to be frugal and save money. Which ones are your favorites? If you missed the first part of this topic, click here: 75 Things You Can Do to Save Money. 42. Carpool. 43. Telecommute if you can or find a way to work from home. 44. Practice gas saving driving, such as keeping a steady pace under 55 mph. 45. Get rid of your gym membership and exercise outside or in your home. 46. Pay bills online. 47. Rent equipment with your neighbors and split the cost, such as … Continue reading

Frugal Living Week in Review: January 28th Through February 3rd

Did you keep warm this week? Yesterday was such a nice day that we took advantage of it an went out for a long outdoor outing before the Super Bowl. We got a lot of fresh air and exercise all for free! This past week, we shared some ideas for keeping warm with a low thermostat, temptations, library and laundry tricks and some ideas for Valentines Day. Here are all of the articles, in case you missed any. Thanks for reading. January 28th Frugal Week in Review: January 21st Through January 27th With talk of a recession, many more people … Continue reading

Surviving a Low Thermostat (4)

How are you doing today with your low thermostat? Are you feeling comfortable? If not, you can read some more of these tips that will allow you to feel warm, even if you turn the thermostat down low. I have to confess today that my thermostat is inched up. it is a whopping 67 degrees in here, much warmer than we usually have it. Today is special because of two things. One, we have an ice and rain storm happening, and I want to keep the house a little warmer in case we lose power. The other reason is that … Continue reading

Surviving a Low Thermostat (3)

We have been talking about ways to make it easier to feel comfortable while keeping the thermostat low to save on heating costs. I have found that we have been saving a lot by putting up with a cooler home this during this winter. Along the way, I’ve learned a few things that has helped us feel more comfortable. And as an added bonus, I find that our bodies more adjusted to the outdoors, so we can spend more time going for walks, playing in the backyard and exploring a local botanical garden (Yes there is still plenty to do … Continue reading

Surviving a Low Thermostat (2)

In yesterday’s article, I talked about some practical ways that you can feel comfortable in your home while keeping the thermostat down low. This can save you a ton of money, especially with today’s rising costs in home heating oil, gas and electricity. If you missed that article, you can click here to read it now. Surviving a Low Thermostat. Do you dread being cold at night? Turn the temperature up a bit at night (a degree or two) a few hours before bed. Your body may be winding down and less efficient at retaining heat. The extra heat will … Continue reading

Winter Safety Tips

Winter weather can be very serious. Several parts of the United States regularly experience freezing temperatures and large amounts of snow every winter. This kind of weather may look pretty in photos, but it can be dangerous to have to live in and deal with. Here are some winter safety tips that can help keep you, and your family, safe this winter. Snow Removal Safety The National Safety Council (NSC) has some safety tips regarding snow removal. They advise that people who are over the age of 40, and who are relatively inactive, should be especially careful when shoveling snow. … Continue reading

Easy Ways to Save $50

Saving $50 is easier than you think. Here are some easy ways to get more money in your pocket. Want bigger savings? Combine more than one of the following strategies: Replace a single processed food that you normally purchase with one that you make from scratch. For example, instead of a tub of mashed potatoes or macaroni and cheese, or boxed vegetables with sauce, use a real recipe. You can still get the convenience if you take a Saturday morning to cook extra and freeze. Examine your cable bill. There may be premium channels that you can do without, or … Continue reading

Staying Warm (and Why It’s Important!)

Winter “officially” starts on December 21st for the Northern Hemisphere… but it’s cold right now here in the Pacific Northwest. With the economy the way it is at the moment, it might be tempting to try to keep energy bills lower by keeping the house cooler than you might normally like it. Here are some tips to help you keep warm if you’ve got the thermostat set low. Number one: Check doors for drafts. If you can see daylight around your door, then the cold air can get in. Think about weather stripping or a draft stopper to help keep … Continue reading

Money Saving Steps to Take When You Are Laid Off

Unfortunately, many people I know are being laid off or forced to cut their work hours and income. And if the analysts are correct, things may just get worse with more people out of jobs or finding themselves with a reduced income. So what do you do if this happens to you? The first thing you need to do to save your money is to take stock of what you have. It is important to understand your finances. Make a budget. You can learn more about that by clicking here: How to Get Your Finances in Control. The next thing … Continue reading