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[06/19/2008]
Saving on Utilities and Reducing Credit Card Bills
People got so much used to comfort, to living in apartments and houses with all conveniences. Can you imagine living without water, gas or electricity? Like cavemen. Me neither. However, utility bills are among the most avid money eaters on your expenditure list. But most people just make a helpless gesture looking at their monthly credit card statement. That's the way the cookie crumbles.
Actually you can make the cookie rumble the way you need it. You just need to make some efforts and get used to saving on utilities. Keep on reading and you will find several tips on how to reduce your utility bills and cut down your monthly credit card payments.
Let's take the water consumption first. Of course, saving water does not mean that you should stop washing the dishes or take a shower once a week. But what about your washing machine? Do you know that it takes about 21 gallons of water for a typical full load? While for a small load the machine will need 14 gallons. It seems that small loads save more water. In fact, a number of small loads is much more wasteful that one or two of full loads.
Saving on electricity is also possible. Installing fluorescent bulbs in lamps will help you in that. Such lamps imitate daylight, serve much longer than incandescent bulbs and can save you from $10 to $50 a year on household expenses. And just remember to turn off your TV set, computer, lights when you do not need them on. You might be surprised, but this will really help to save money on electricity.
Maintaining the temperature on the water heater between 110 and 120 degrees saves energy as well. Insulating hot water heaters is an inexpensive way to cut your energy costs and it can add $25 a year to your utility savings fund.
And just a parenthetic remark. If you get a no annual fee card or a plastic that offers a beneficial rewards program, you will save the most on credit card payments.
Do not be lazy to wash a couple of glasses, forks and plates by yourself without using a dishwasher. Run the dishwasher only with a full load. Let the dishes dry in a dish drainer instead of using your dishwasher's heat cycle.
As you notice a leak in your taps or a running toilet, try to contract plumbing services company right away. If you do not fix the breakdown as soon as possible, it can result in $25 to $125 losses a year.
A great way to save on energy charges for cooking is using a microwave. You can actually save up to 50% of energy costs associated with cooking and heating meals using a microwave instead of oven. It will be about $50 in cash equivalent.
Installing flow restricting shower heads. It might sound funny in terms of water savings, but in fact the family of four people can save from 8,000 to 12,000 gallons of water over a year. Using warm, not hot, water for doing laundry and cold water for rinsing clothes will pay dividends to your savings fund as well. As much as $50 a year.
These are the basic tips that will allow you to save a good deal of money on utility payments. A little bit here, a little bit there, and there you go! You can save about $200-$250 a year, just having your energy, water and electricity use under control. Besides, if you apply for a lowest APR credit card or for a cash back credit card, you will save even more on your utility bills.
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