Frugal Tip: Household Expenses

by Cara Mirabella of The Household Helper

Purchasing groceries is one big area where you can save loads of money each month. The next big area where you can save extra money deals with household expenses. Everyone has these and everyone can use all or just a few tips to save money each month.

If you can, change out all your light bulbs (or all the light bulbs that you can) with new energy efficient light bulbs. These light bulbs can cut your electricity bill by ten to twenty percent each month just by changing the light bulbs out. These bulbs are meant to use less electricity than older light bulbs.

When possible, don’t run the heater or air conditioner. This only works if you can go a few days in a row without having them on at all.  This will save you money plus if you can open the windows and be comfortable, you’ll also be getting fresh air in the house. Another tip
is to turn down the heater in winter and turn up the air conditioner in summer.

Continue Reading Frugal Tip: Household Expenses

Building an Emergency Kit

You’ve heard about the importance of having an emergency fund, but Erin Burt at Kiplinger.com takes this concept further in her Essential Emergency Kit article.

The goal of an emergency fund is to have funds set aside in case you lose your job, have unexpected medical expenses, or have some other short term financial need that is unexpected.

The emergency kit is a complete emergency strategy.  The emergency kit is similar to the emergency fund in that it is protecting you against a job loss, unexpected medical expenses, etc., but the emergency kit is also intented to make sure you’re ready for bigger emergencies, like a natural disaster, or even worse, a man-made disaster.

How is an emergency kit different than an emergency fund?  An emergency kit includes:

• an emergency fund to cover three months of living expenses (start with $1,000 if 3 months of living expenses is too big of a goal)
• making sure your car & home owners insurance is up to date
• updating your life and disability insurance to protect your family in the event of your death or disability
• making your wishes known by updating your will, healthcare directive and other estate planning documents
• creating a survival kit with food, water, and supplies
• creating an evacuation strategy in the event of fire, flood or other natural disasters

These are just a few of the items Erin discusses in her emergency kit.  To learn more, please read the full article, Your Essential Emergency Kit.

Your Essential Emergency Kit - Kiplinger.com.