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1. Air Conditioning
Average Seasonal Cost of Central Air : $600.00
We have a central air conditioning unit in our home, but we haven’t used it for the past four years. While we spend a lot of the day outside in water or sitting next to a fan, at night we cannot sleep without the cooling. There are a few solutions to this problem.
One solution is to install a one room portable air conditioning unit in one bedroom. Our family of four sleeps together in the master bedroom with two beds, one for the children and one for the parents. We have a cool room that uses less energy than cooling a whole house. For indoor activities during the summer, we use this room and use the portable unit.
Average Cost of Portable Unit : $300.00
Approximate Cost of Running the Unit Per Season: $150.00
Approximate Savings Per Year : $450.00 (and colder air)
Another solution is to install a whole house fan. People sometimes confuse a whole-
Average Cost of Whole House Fan : $200.00 -
Approximate Cost of Running the Unit Per Season: $60.00
Approximate Savings Per Year : $540.00
2. Water Park
While the cost of gasoline rises in the summer, more families hit the road in search of entertainment. Water parks are a great way to cool off and keep your children entertained. Unless you live right next to a water park and a seasonal pass is affordable, you will more than likely need to drive a long distance and stay in a hotel.
For the past three years, we have opted to purchase large inflatable water slides/pools instead of visiting water parks. We find the crowded water parks undesirable and the cost for one or two days of fun equivalent to the price of a seasons worth of enjoyment.
Here are the costs of visiting a water park.
Cost Of (4) Water Park Tickets: $400.00 -
Cost of gasoline and hotel stay: $125.00
Total Water Park Cost: $525.00 -
Here were our summer savings, yours may vary as electricity/water costs are regional.
Summer Months (2.5) Additional Electric Cost per month: $5.00
Summer Months (2.5) Additional Water Cost per month: $65.00
Retail Cost of At Home Water Park: $200
Savings Per Year (Initial Cost Included): $670.00
Savings Per Year (After Initial Cost): $970.00
After trying
3. Phone Bill
Can you believe there are some people that still don’t have a VOIP phone? It’s easy to sign up, you can keep your same number, and it is a FLAT fee. No minute by minute calling plans. The days of telephone companies adding up surcharges to make a little bill into a landmine are over.
Retail Cost : $24.95
Approximate Cost of non-
Savings Per Year: $300.00
4. Home Oven
If you have a gas or electric oven, try this quick check to see how much it costs to run. Turn everything off in the house. Have a partner go outside and watch the gas or electric meter spin while the oven is on. Use a stop watch to time and record.
Now, purchase a toaster oven and do the same thing. You’ll be amazed at the difference between a toaster oven and a conventional oven.
Retail Cost : $100.00
Usage: From breakfast burritos to chicken dinners.
Cost to run per year: Up to 66% less energy versus an electric wall oven.
5. Household Supplies
From toilet paper to make-
Don’t know anything about it? Visit the following sites to learn the ins and outs of CVS’Ing.
Savings per year: Varies, we’ve found this saves $1,000.00+
6. Coupons
Purchasing five papers on Sunday should be enough to get you stock piling. Some stores offer papers at a discount when purchased after Sunday. We get five papers delivered to our home each Sunday, as this is the most reliable way to secure all the inserts. Sometimes when purchasing in store, the inserts are missing.
An easy way to store coupons is to take each insert out and place it in a file folder with the date and insert name. This handy file cabinet makes coupon organization even easier.
To look up a coupon become a member of www.hotcouponworld.com and search through their database of coupons by product name. Combining sales with coupons is the best way to pay the lowest price for any item.
Retail Cost of file cabinet : $29.74
Savings Per Year: Varies , we’ve found this saves $1,000.00+
7. Dating Your Spouse
Using the right credit card reward’s system can provide for two nights of family entertainment each month. Choose your free gift card wisely. Find a credit card company that doesn’t charge a percentage to use the checks and pay your mortgage with them.
Last month we chose a Starbuck’s $50 Gift Card. Our local grocery store has a supervised children’s play area and a Starbucks. On Saturday mornings, we like to bring the children to the play area and sit 30 feet away to enjoy a nice cup of coffee. This is a free break and allows parents a chance to talk without interruption.
If you aren’t lucky enough to have a grocery store like our’s, then get the starbucks and bring the kids to the playground, park. Sitting on a bench while watching the children play can be a good time had by all.
8. Entertainment -
I can’t recommend Netflix enough. Netflix allows the user to watch internet streamed video through the computer.
Here is a scenario to maximize your Netflix dollar:
Purchase the least expensive plan for $4.99 a month. This gives you two movies to
view and return. Four days before the end of your membership month(midnight works
well), switch to their most expensive plan. Because their plans are pro-
On the third to last day, 8 movies should be shipped out to you. The day before your plan changes over, switch back to the $4.99 plan. In total, you receive 10 movies per month for about.$10.00.
8. Entertainment -
The Disney Book Club is a wonderful way to add to your children’s collection. Reading materials are an important part of child development and help to foster their love of reading. The books contain children’s favorite Disney characters and tell stories they know and love.
We love the free gifts and easy return policy of the scholastic book programs. Once your library has reached maximum capacity, their cancellation policy is quick and easy.
Many public libraries have free reading programs for kids. Check your local branch for a schedule.
9. Family Personal Audit
Every three months plan for a family personal audit. Go over the family’s bills and edit the budget. Find out where most of the money goes and figure out plans to keep everyone on budget. Involve the children in the decision making process with their allowances. Remain calm if your spouse spends unwisely and be forgiving. Allow mistakes and work on how to compromise in the family budget.
Make decisions together. Staying within the limits set by both of you helps to build trust and security in a relationship.
A good finance journal is all you need to prepare a budget. If you need help creating a budget or preparing an audit, Microsoft Money is only $6.99 at Amazon.
