10 Quick And Cheap Ways To Cut Your Heating Bill

When you received an energy (heating) bill last winter, were you afraid to open it? Granted that we have a home with a lot of really big windows, but we saw energy bills last winter in the hundreds of dollars. Your bill probably wasn't that bad but I'm guessing that it was a lot higher than you would have liked.

The good news is that there are some inexpensive things you can do to cut that cost. Here are 10 of them.

1. If you have a fireplace, be sure to keep the damper closed. You can lose up to 5 percent of your heat if your damper is open when the fireplace is not in use.

2. Keep your furnace filter clean. Replace it at least once a month during heating season. This alone can cut your heating costs by as much as 5 percent.

3. Be sure to keep inside doors open to improve heat circulation. This will help the efficiency of your heating system.

4. Lower the setting on your thermostat. If you can reduce your daytime indoor thermostat temperature from 72 to 68 degrees, you should save about 5 per- cent during the heating season.

5. If your hot water pipes and water heater are warm to the touch, insulate them. This will reduce heat loss and water heating costs.

6. Every minute you cut from your shower saves three gallons of water and the energy required to heat it.

7. Install compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs. Over the life of just one of these bulbs, you'll save about $15. Use just a handful of these around your home and you could notice a difference in your energy bill.

8. Motion detectors put light where you want it, when you want it, for brief periods of time. They provide safety and security for you and your property, but require much less energy since they are on only when you need them.

9.Be sure to check for cold air leaks at doors and windows. If you have a question as to whether or not they are leaking cold air, light a match and hold it at the bottom of the window or door. You should be able to see very quickly if there is a draft.

10. Apply weather stripping around any doors that are leaking air, and caulk around all your windows. Weather stripping can be purchased from just about any hardware store, as well as stores like Home Deport and Lowe's.

For FREE help with debt and credit, subscribe today to Douglas Hanna's free email newsletter "8 Simple Steps to Debt Relief" at http://www.all-in-one-info.com.

---

Budgeting is Bothersome

It doesn't take much for you to get behind on monthly bills, but it sure takes some time to catch up. The comparison in my mind is to weight gain. A one-week vacation... Read More

How To Get Ahead On A Low Income

Do you struggle from week to week trying to make ends meet? Are you consistently going without things that you really wish you could afford? Well I have some possible and practical solutions... Read More

Save Your Money, Dont Give to Charity Scammers

**If it's Spam, it's a Scam!- If it sounds too good, if it shows up in your bulk folder or your spam folder - don't touch it, just delete it**Check out the charity-... Read More

How to Save Money in a Grocery Store

Now there are ways to save money in the grocery store, and they may or may not take much effort on your part to learn some great ways to save money. Your greater... Read More

The Origins of Check Writing

People haven't always written checks to buy goods and services. But you know that right? So how did people transfer money from one place to another in times of old?In ancient times the... Read More

Bankruptcy Laws Get Tougher - More Expensive

If you've been thinking about filing for bankruptcy, your best bet might be to file now.A new bankruptcy law takes effect in November that will make it harder and more expensive for most... Read More

Money Matters: Strengthen Your Marriage by Putting Finances in Order

Did you know that 43% of all married couples argue over money issues, making it the major reason couples fight? If you and your spouse handle money differently, now is the time to... Read More

Honor Those Who Serve with Checking Account Supplies

Our global society has had a wake up call in the last five years regarding our safety. But there are those in our communities that fight to keep us safe from day to... Read More

How Check 21 Affects You

The Check 21 Law is the new federal law for financial institutions and has taken effect last October 28, 2004.Before the Check 21 law was enacted, your paper check had to be physically... Read More

Reduce College Debt with Scholarships

Six Scholarship judges were sitting around an oval table. Forms were piled into 50 boxes. Each one had the name of a state. I looked at the boxes and wondered why some of... Read More

Budgets And Eating - Can They Co-Exist?

Whatever your reason for having a tight budget, the truth is that going to the grocery store without a plan is a BIG budget breaker. And sadly all that cash ends up vanishing... Read More

Budgeting -- The Critical Flaw That Causes Most Budgets to Fail

Budgeting. It's a word we're all familiar with. Everyone knows what a budget is, right? Yet how many of us actually make and stick to a solid monthly budget? The truth is that... Read More

Budgeting Your Way to Financial Freedom

Financial freedom cannot be achieved without budgeting. Budgeting involves tracking your sources of income and more importantly tracking your expenses. It is novel tool for controlling your expenses and making you aware of... Read More

Bank On It: Places to Hide and Invest Money

Today I passed a thermometer at a bank that read 110 degrees, but I am not telling you that to show you how hot it was. I am telling you that because this... Read More

Vesting and Your 401(k)

Do you have a 401(k) retirement account? Are you vested yet? Before you move on to your next job, it is critical for you to find out if you are fully vested in... Read More

The Wright Place - Finances

Women have a love/hate relationship with money. Most of us do not enjoy dealing with it, yet we know not having finances under control will cause our entire family to suffer.A recent guest... Read More

Your Dry Cleaner?s Double Standard

Women are charged more for dry cleaning services. Don't fume, find a better way. While it is true that the practice is unfair it is also true that we have options for keeping... Read More

University: A Course in Personal Finance

Recent findings from the Educational Policy Institute indicated that the UK is the third most expensive place in the world to go to university. Combine this with figures from the Prudential, showing that... Read More

How to Attain Your Dreams on a Single Income

If you recently became a single parent and see your dreams being washed away because you feel all alone, you aren't alone. There are single parents that face future endeavors alone like dating... Read More

Healthy Eating On A Budget

It is possible to eat a healthy, balanced diet without breaking the bank! Here are some suggestions:-Eliminate junk food. You may have to do your grocery shopping alone, since children (and sometimes spouses!)... Read More

Identity Theft ? More Tips on How it Can Be Avoided

Recent security breaches at several credit card companies continue to worry Americans, as stolen financial information can lead to identity theft. Identity theft occurs when someone obtains your Social Security number and/or other... Read More

How to Choose the Right Bank for Your Online Business

You should thoroughly consider your business needs when selecting a financial institution or bank for your small/home business. You may want to consider the following points:- The types of products and services that... Read More

Improve Your Professional Image Using Address Labels

One of the simplest ways to improve your professional image is by using address labels. Self-adhesive business labels are THE way to go when it comes to a professional image. Why handwrite addresses... Read More

Vacations Made Easy: Buying a Florida Investment Property

Vacations Made Easy: Buying a Florida Investment PropertyA relaxing beach vacation means different things to different families. However, imagine returning from a long day in the sand and waves, hair dripping and tan... Read More

A Quck Lesson in Saving Money

Did you have a piggy bank when you were a child? I did. Mine sat empty for a long time until my mother convinced me that I should really start putting my pennies... Read More

If I Had a Structured Settlement, I Would Use It to Pay for Gas

Has anyone been to the gas pumps lately? Soon $3 a gallon will be the asking price and we'll either have to become cyclists or create some additional income. I plan to do... Read More

Why You Should Seek Professional Help With Asset Management

Everyone needs to maintain their lives. What I mean by that is that we all need to take certain measures to make sure that we have a home, transportation, food, entertainment etc.One of... Read More

Improving Your Financial Position

If you want money you need to learn how to control it. You need to improve your financial education and build your discipline. I am going to reveal to you how you can... Read More

Budgeting: A Tough Love Way to Handle Your Household Budget

Developing and living by a household budget is by far the best way to get your expenses under control which, in turn, can mean a much less stressful life.However, many families find it... Read More