Tip # 34 Save on Your Utility Bills
Here are some simple ways to reduce your utility bills:
Program the temperature. No point in wasting electricity while nobody is home.
Fans can sometimes work almost as well as AC, and at a lower cost.
In hot weather, close the shades to keep out the heat from the sun.
Use a clothesline instead of a dryer.
Compact fluorescent bulbs use about 75% less electricity than incandescents.
Some cities will charge you less for garbage if you use a smaller can.
Low income families with high heating bills are eligible for government assistance.
Tip # 33 Pre-Paid Cell Phone Plans
If you don't talk a lot, consider switching to a pre-paid cell phone plan.
I recently switched to a T-Mobile pre-paid plan. I pay 10 cents a minute and my minutes never expire (as long as I refill every year.) The nice thing is that I don't have to pay a bunch of taxes and fees. With my old phone, my plan was $39.99 a month, but my total bill with taxes was over $55!
Doing the math, I save money with my new plan as long as I don't talk more than 550 minutes a month. Plus, I don't have to sign a heinous contract.
Here are some companies that offer decent pre-paid plans: T-Mobile, Virgin Mobile and Net10.
Tip # 32 Bundle Your TV, Phone & Internet
Do you pay separate bills for home phone, cable, and internet service? You may be able to save by bundling all these together with either your cable or phone company.
Be aware that many of these bundling offers have a "teaser" rate that expires after a few months. When it expires, call and threaten to cancel. The company might extend the low rate.
Of course, you can save even more money by replacing your Cable TV and landline with cheaper alternatives.
Tip # 31 Refinance Your Mortgage
If you have good credit, interest rates are near all-time lows. If you haven't refinanced in the last couple years, you could probably save a lot of money by refinancing your home mortgage.
Whenever you refinance, be wary of hidden fees, rate hikes and other traps. This is one situation in which it pays to consult a lawyer before signing.
The Safest Way. Try talking to your local credit union. Get a fixed-rate, not an adjustable-rate mortgage. With an adjustable-rate mortgage, your payments might start low, but they will likely increase over time.
Local Banks and Mortgage Brokers. Also try talking to local banks and mortgage brokers. But be wary. The Seattle Times recently did an expose about how WaMu teamed up with mortgage brokers to screw over homeowners.
Don't Use Lending Tree. I am also wary of sites like Lending Tree, which could cause you some headache.
After all this though, don't be afraid to refinance. Interest rates will probably never be lower than they are right now. It's time to get a low rate and lock in the savings for years to come.Tip # 30 Food Assistance
If you're really struggling to make ends meet, help is available.
Most communities have food pantries that offer free food. In addition, many bakeries and fruit stands throw out perfectly good, day-old food. Many are willing to donate it if you ask.
If you live in the United States, you may be eligible for food stamps. 35 million low-income Americans receive government food assistance of some sort.
