Surviving This Tough Economic Time - Part 2

While extremely challenging for everyone, this next tip will really save you some money in the months to come when it comes to your utility bill. We cannot afford to leave any stones unturned. I recommend that you go shut off your A/C. Yes, I mean air conditioner. If you’d like to, you may crack each patio or balcony door or window open a bit – allowing for some natural light but not enough to raise the temperature in your place – but do pull all blinds and curtains closed. Not letting in a great deal of sunlight during the day will keep your home cool – even without the air conditioning. Don't cover the small area that you left open. I don’t want you to have to turn on any lights. That would defeat the purpose of this money-saving tip. Shut off the A/C first thing each morning while the air is still a bit cooler outside, and keep the blinds and curtains closed for the most part. I promise amazement at the cool temperature as the day progresses. It will remain cool. You may also add an overhead fan or a box fan in the room you are in, and that is it. Trust my instructions. I am the voice of experience as I reside in South Florida where the summer is very hot, and this method works for me. I would go with the box fan, if you have one, because you can run them for pennies a day. My place even feels cool when I return from being outside, and this is when I haven't had the A/C on all day long! I have reached the point where I don't use any fan during the day, and I am completely comfortable Also, be sure that your A/C filter is always clean which will alleviate any additional energy when it is in use. Please also keep in mind that you need not open any windows at all, if you prefer. It will stay cool regardless of what you do. However, be careful to not let in too much natural sunlight during the day because that will really increase the temperature indoors and very quickly.

About the time you are going to start cooking dinner, close all of the windows, and turn on your A/C. Do not turn it way down to make up for the time that the A/C was turned off. Just turn it back to the "on" position, and keep it at the temperature you had it at previously. Additionally, I want you to begin turning the A/C temp up about 1 degree each week until you get to about 4 degrees warmer than your usual setting, and keep it there. I also then want you to begin to use a box fan in your bedroom at night to compensate for the higher temp in your home. It should have 3 settings on it, and you could even use an oscillating fan for this purpose. Your choice. Again, I promise amazement at the results that will be reflected on your utility bill as the months progress. In the morning, whenever you think of it, but definitely before you leave for work - if you are working or going anywhere for a long period of time - shut off the air conditioner again. You have to be consistent with this to see the difference in your utility bill. That is why I recommend doing it at the same time each day, preferably first thing in the morning. Doing it in the morning also lets in some cooler air from outside, if you are going to be cracking your windows for ventilation each day.

My next tip is to purchase a 4-pack of those energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs (they look like coils, if you are not familiar with them). If you can afford the extra $10 or so that it will take to purchase them, replace the bulb in your favorite lamp next to your bed on the nightstand (the lamp that has been unplugged and is unplugged, as you are reading this, right?) and then go around and Replace bulbs in your bathroom and any overhead lighting. If you can only afford to replace 4 bulbs at a time, please just do it, and continue to replace bulbs as you can.

Running your water heater typically accounts for 13% of your utility bill so here is another way to reduce your utility bill. Lower the temperature of your water heater. Do that right now. 120 degrees is typically a good hot water setting for most uses; however, I recommend working on lowering that number even more as time passes. The sooner you can begin reducing the temp on your water heater, the more savings you will enjoy on your utility bill.

While we are on the subject of water temperature and usage, the average shower uses about 20 gallons or more of water. Yet another opportunity to save on utility costs. Then when you are going to step into the shower, turn on the COLD water first in a medium pressure stream. Then add hot water to that until it becomes comfortable. Think about your goal, and that is to get clean. You are using shampoo, soap, and water to get clean. It needn’t be a sauna. Not to mention that my personal observation is that the warmer the shower is, the more I tend to linger. You want to get in and get out. No lingering. Shampoo and soap up and rinse. Repeat, if you must, but then rinse only to get the soap off. You are done! Get out of the shower. I have also been continuing to turn down the hot water as I go along in my daily shower. This hasn't hurt me any, but I’ve seen it on my utility bill. A side note to men - - - please consider putting shaving cream on your face and using the bathroom sink and mirror before you get into the shower. And a note for the ladies: You can do the same for shaving your legs before you get into the shower. These tips will reduce the time you spend in your shower. It will cut back on water waste which will, in turn, reduce your utility bill.

Again, keep your chin up, and keep saving!