5 Ways To Save Money On Your Utility Bills

Cutting costs without suffering.


The winter is in full force, and although it's been unusually warm in some areas so far, it's starting to get colder. Along with the cold weather comes large utility bills. For many of us who are feeling the pinch of the current economic recessions, those who are underemployed or looking for jobs, these added expenses can really take a bite out of our budgets.


This year, my New Year's resolution was to live more frugally, but without having to do without the things that are really important. So, how can you save money on utility bills without bundling up in coats at home?


Here are 5 great ways to save money on your utility bills:


Do an energy check at night - Before you go to bed, go around your house and make sure that everything is turned off. It's a hard habit to get into, but it can really save you a lot of money. Check for lights, televisions, fans and other appliances and electronics. Just one ceiling fan can cost up to $35 dollars a year to run during the night, a traditional light bulb costs $21 and a compact fluorescent costs $9. This can really add up over time.


Check your water heater - The experts agree that your water heater should be set at 120 degrees. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that setting your water heater at 140 degrees can cost you up to $61 in heat loss and up to $400 annually just to heat water to that high of a temperature. If you are going to be gone for a few days, turn your water heater down or even off. Remember that even though you aren't using water while your gone, the water cools down and the water heater has to reheat it over and over.


Invest in re-usable filters - Instead of buying the cheap, disposable filters for your heating and air conditioner, buy the reusable ones. They cost a little more, but since you can rinse them off and reuse them, instead of having to remember to buy new ones, you'll be more likely to keep your filter clean. Dirty filters can make your system less efficient and even cause it to break, costing you lots of money.


Look into upgrading your appliances - Many state and local governments offer incentive programs for homeowners who upgrade to energy-efficient appliances. Find out what they are in your area and think about upgrading. Not only can you save money in taxes and on your purchase but your monthly utility bills will drop as well.


Buy a programmable thermostat - These devices have gotten less expensive over the years and it's still the best way to save money. You can program your heat and air conditioner to work less during the times that you aren't home, which saves you money. In fact, the EPA estimates that a programmable thermostat can save an average of $180 a year.


What other ways do you save money on your utilities? Please share your thoughts and suggestions in the comments.


By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer for PhillyJobsBlog and Beyond.com, along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.

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• 8 Ways To Save Money on Groceries (healthcarejobsiteblog.com)

Have a Budget-Friendly Valentine’s Day

Well ... it is almost that time of year again ... Valentine’s Day. As you most likely may be searching for a job, funds at this time of year may be a little tight. That said, you will be very happy to know that you can still send “classy” Valentine’s Day gifts without breaking the bank. All you have to do is display a bit of ingenuity and creativity, and you surely will impress the Valentine’s Day gift recipient with your thoughtfulness.

Give the Gift of Flowers for Valentine’s Day

If you insist on being somewhat traditional on Valentine’s Day, there are ways to lower the costs associated with buying flowers for someone on this holiday. For instance, instead of the traditional roses for Valentine’s Day, you can purchase a bouquet of different – but equally stunning flowers. Of course, you can also purchase flowers from a local market or grocer for a significant price reduction - just ensure that the flowers are in great condition of course.

Appeal to their Sweet Tooth

Another more traditional Valentine’s Day gift that will surely be appreciated by the recipient – depending on their particular likes – is the gift of candy or chocolate. Fortunately, the Valentine’s Day holiday specifically caters to individuals who appreciate this type of treat. From Cadbury to Godiva to Hershey, all major chocolate manufacturers create chocolates for this holiday and many of these concoctions cost less than $20. Combine the chocolates or candy with a personal Valentine’s note or card, and you have a very special Valentine’s Day gift in your hands.

Make a Meal

Think about it – who would not appreciate a meal that is specifically cooked for him or her? Even if you are not culinary-inclined, there are a number of relatively simple recipes that are available online. All you have to do is find these recipes on the internet, and follow the step-by-step directions. Not only will this idea “wow” the gift recipient, this Valentine’s Day gift idea is definitely easy on the pocketbook.

Search Daily Deal Websites

Looking for something a bit different? You are in luck as there are a plethora of Daily Deal websites on the internet today. From Groupon to Dealticker to Kijijiji, there are a number of sites available that offer services to businesses at discounted prices. Depending on your location, Daily Deal websites offer a wide net of goods and services in both your local community and online. For instance, you can buy discounted concert and play tickets, spa packages, clothing store gift certificates ... the list continues. Better still, these Daily Deal website discounts are delivered to you electronically almost instantly so that you can make your purchases with ease.

All in all, remember that you do not have to spend a fortune to give a memorable Valentine’s Day gift.

Larisa Redins is a full time writer and editor with degrees in both Arts and Biological Science. She writes about career issues for PhillyJobsBlog.com and other topics for a variety of international websites and magazines. Please visit her other blogs at PhillyJobsBlog.com and view job posting at PhillyJobs.com.

Making Your Valentine's Day Special When You Are On A Budget

As busy as we all are, finding time to relax and have fun with our partner is certainly difficult. With Valentine's Day on the horizon, everyone is starting to think about romance. The problem is, the whole point of the day has been lost to commercialism. For most people this year, with so many people out of work and looking for jobs, there just isn't a whole lot left in the budget for grand gestures. But, a lack of money shouldn't stop you from making your Valentine's special.

There are many things that you can do for your partner this year that are either free, or inexpensive. Here are a few ideas from 500 Romantic Ideas, that can give you some inspiration for how to make your Valentine's Day one to remember:

• Go to an arcade. They may be a little harder to find, but they are still around. And, for less than the price of dinner, you and your partner can feel like kids battling each other with Dance Dance Revolution or go head-to-head with a racing simulation game.
  
  
• Check out the bowling alley. Bowling is fun and not as expensive as you would think. Check with your local bowling alley to find out times when they offer discounts or other programs.
  
  
• Board games can be fun. Pull out some old board games, light some candles and just enjoy each other. A bottle of wine and a game of Twister can be very romantic.
  
  
• Write messages on their fridge with magnet letters. You can pick up magnetic letters at almost any dollar store, and if you have kids, there is a good chance you already have plenty.
  
  
• Go to the park and play Frisbee or fly a kite. Even if you haven't done it in years, it can be a lot of fun.
  
  
• Make a pizza together from items you bought at the grocery store and watch old movies.
  
  
• Play 20 questions with your partner. A no rules game can lead to a great night of conversation and closeness.
  
  
• Request “your song” from your favorite radio station, ask if they will dedicate it to your sweetie.
  
  
• Rainy-day puddle-jumping can be a blast. Just make sure you both have appropriate footwear.
  
  
• If you are both book lovers, take turns reading short stories or love stories out loud.
  
  
• Volunteer together.
  
  
• Spend the afternoon in a coffee shop that offers live music.
  
  
• Go ice skating or even roller skating.
  
  
• Try networking – Ask your friends for ideas, and they may know of, or have access to, low cost adventures in your area.

Being on a budget doesn't mean that you can't still find a way to romance your partner. With a little bit of creativity and some planning ahead, you can enjoy the day with your Valentine.

By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer for PhillyJobs and Beyond along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel. You can read more of her blogs on Phillyjobs blog.

3 Online Shopping Pitfalls (And How to Avoid Them)

I have to admit, I love online shopping. For me, visiting my favorite online retailers is a way to window shop, look for the best deals and a great way to do product research. And, with the record high sales that many retailers reported after Cyber Monday, it seems that I am not the only one who enjoys shopping from home. With the holiday season in full swing, many people are looking online to find that perfect gift.

Shopping online is fun and can be a huge money saver, but it can also have some pitfalls. Finding the best deals, avoiding scams, looking out for extra charges and preventing big headaches can be tough. So, here are 3 pitfalls of online shopping (and how to avoid them):

• Shop with companies you trust - It is a good idea to do some research on a company before buying anything from them. A quick Google search on the company name will bring up pages of customer reviews and experiences with the company. Keep in mind that most companies don't enjoy 100% customer satisfaction, and unhappy customers are more likely to want to discuss their experiences than the ones who had no problems with their transactions, so just because a company has a couple of bad reviews doesn't mean you shouldn't shop there. The key is to pay attention to what the reviewers are saying and look for common threads. For example, if many people are complaining about shipping issues, then you would be safe in assuming that the company has shipping problems and may not be worth dealing with.
  
  
• Don't be tempted by a "too-good-to-be-true" deal – While there are many sites that offer one time only deals on small numbers of goods, they are well-established, well-known and have great reputations. But on the whole, if a site is offering deals that seem to good to be believed, then they probably are. For example, I love to shop for shoes. But, like many shoe-addicts, I have expensive taste without the budget to support it. Most of the time, I just window shop. I do however, keep a close eye on each designers new lines and look for great deals. Recently, I started seeing ads on my Facebook page for discounts on couture shoes. A pair of Christian Louboutin pumps for $150? You've got to be kidding me! M. Louboutin charges much more than that for his French, red soled shoes, and last I checked, he isn't desperate for cash or going out of business, so why the deep discounts? I did a quick Google search on the company and found pages and pages of complaints about that site and others like it, who are using pictures of these much sought after shoes to scam people into buying them, only to send them very poor knock-offs that aren't even worth the postage. A little more research on the website and their returns and payment policy revealed a very telling way to spot the scam. Which brings me to the next point.
  
  
• Never use a site that asks for, excepts or even mentions using Western Union – Always read over the shipping, returns and payment policies of any online vendor. If there is any mention of using an escrow service or a money transfer through MoneyGram, or more popularly, Western Union, do not do business with them. Wait, let me say it one more time. Do not send them your money. They are a scam and there is no way you will end up with anything more that a big headache and an emptier bank account. You should never send money to someone you don't know through Western Union and you should never use it to pay for purchases. The reason scammers like this method so much is that they can receive the money in whatever country they are in and it is the same as giving them cash. With a credit card or PayPal, when you feel that you have been taken advantage of, there are options for recourse. Wiring a couple hundred bucks to someone across the world in hopes of getting discounted products is just plain stupid. The scammers are laughing their heads off at the “greedy Americans”, because to them it is just a game. If you have some money laying around that you just want to get rid of that badly, consider giving it to a charity like the Salvation Army and Toys for Tots. At least you would have some good feelings to show for your troubles.

Shopping online can be fun and save you money. The key is to pay attention to the details and be sure that the company you do business with deserves it. By reading the fine print, you can save yourself frustration and headaches.

Watch out for my next post, 3 More Online Shopping Pitfalls (and how to avoid them)

Are you looking for a job in the Philadelphia area? Be sure to visit PhillyJobs.

By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer, along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.

5 Things You Shouldn't Scrimp On

After talking about why you should set up a budget to reach your financial goals, I felt that it was important to talk about some of the things that you should scrimp on. Saving money on expenses and purchases is important, but you have to consider the long term cost of ownership. And when you take that into consideration, there are some things that it pays to go ahead and splurge on higher quality.

The people at Mint put together a top ten list of things you should splurge on, and here is a few of their ideas along with a few of mine:

1. A Mattress – This is where you sleep every night, and not much else will impact the quality of your day as much as getting a good night's sleep. Back pain, muscle aches and insomnia are bound to cost you a bundle in doctor bills, stress related health problems and even relationship problems. So, don't cut corners here. It is better to pay more for a good, comfortable place to sleep than save a few dollars upfront.
   
   
2. Good Food – While I don't think it is important to buy all of your groceries at high priced shops, spending the extra money to buy fresh, organic food instead of purchasing cheaper, less nutritious food can save you lots of money in health expenses. Even if you can't afford to buy all of your food organic, it is a good idea to pay for organic when you are shopping for thin skinned fruits, vegetables and dairy products. When you eat healthy, you just feel better. Your body learns to absorb more nutrition from the food you eat and staying healthy will keep you from missing time at work and make you more effective.
   
   
3. Health Insurance – Preventative healthcare is worth spending the money on. Sometimes, what could have been treated early, if left alone, can balloon into an illness that can cause you to lose time from work, can rack up big hospital charges and even cause you to lose your job entirely. People who don't have insurance run a risk of becoming seriously in debt due to medical bills alone. If you are self employed or your employer doesn't offer health insurance, you may be able to deduct the money you spend on the premiums on your taxes. It ends up being a situation where, if you don't spend it on insurance, you will just end up giving it to Uncle Sam come tax time.
   
   
4. Good Furniture – When you look at the overall cost of ownership, cheap furniture ends up costing more than investing in higher quality goods. This doesn't mean that it isn't worthwhile to find good deal when you can, there are many great furniture sales happening all the time. The issue is that cheap furniture makes you uncomfortable, wears out quickly and you end up having to buy it all over again. Along with delivery charges, the price over time can add up quickly.
   
   
5. Knives and pans – Quality kitchenware can last your whole lifetime. Scrimping on this just isn't worth it. Low cost pots and pan wear out quickly and don't always heat evenly. Burnt food and knives that dull quickly will cause you to avoid cooking and spend more money buying prepackaged food. Once you add in the cost of replacing them every year, it ends up costing much more than buying the higher quality goods in the first place.

Just because times are tight and money is in short supply doesn't mean you can't shop at all. Looking for good deals and ways to cut corners is important, but there are some things that you just can't live without. I don't need to buy the designer handbag or the $400 pairs of shoes. But having a comfortable place to sit and a good nights rest are things that you can't put a price tag on.

What things do you think are worth splurging on? I would love to hear your thoughts.

Are you looking for a job in the Philadelphia area? Take a look at PhillyJobs.

By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer, along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.