Other ways to save

Save on your cable, internet, telephone bill -
Don't you hate cable and phone companies!! They tease you with low (and that's relative) introductory prices, then gradually increase the monthly amounts - phone starts out at $19.99 and before you even realize it, it's up to $49.00 per month! Short of cancelling and changing to another company where the same thing is likely to occur, call your provider and ask about their customer retention plan. Yes, they will give you a discounted rate to stay with them. Of course, they don't advertise this and you might have to ask for another rep, but believe me most of them would prefer you stay with them than to go with a different company. Get them to make it worth your while to stay with them!

Suspend certain services
If you're away alot or you just don't watch that much TV and only want all those bells and whistles that cable companies offer,on occasion like when your college kids or special company are coming into town (you know, those 200 HBO and Show Time channels that make your bill enormous), check into suspending those services until you need/want them. If you only need basic cable all the time and the bells and whistles for special occasions, it's worth the $$ you'll save. Just be sure you say "suspend" and not "cancel" and be sure they won't charge a reconnection fee.

Save on Pet Care
Vets can be expensive! Check with your local County Board of Health for free or reduced rabies shots for your cat(s) and dogs. They are usually offered several times a year at various locations around the county. The 2009 Guilford County Low Cost Rabies Vaccination Clinic Schedule can be found at: http://www.co.guilford.nc.us/blogs/dph/?p=840 Make sure you have your dog(s) on a leash and the cat(s) in a carrier!

Save the Planet -
1) Forget those plastic bags. Take reusable bags everywhere you shop:

To the grocery store - some stores will even give you credit on your bill or your frequent shoppers account for each of your own bags you use.

To your favorite specialty store - I don't know about you but I don't need another Victoria Secret shopping bag. They're pretty but what do you do with them once you get them home and you take out your items? If you're like me they take up storage space because they're just too nice to throw away!

To the wine store - they even have special bags with individual compartments for up to six bottles!

Only getting one or two items - do you really need a bag?

Just make it a habit to put your reusable bags back in your car, purse (I keep a small one in my purse at all times) or backpack so you always have them with you.

2) Wire Hangers: Take them to the dry cleaners. They gladly accept them whether you got them from them or not.

3) Styrofoam - peanuts or packaging: You can't put them in the recycle bins, however, mailing operations like Mail Box, etc., UPS stores love the stuff for packing boxes for mailing! No styrofoam cups or plates though!!

4) Napkins - use real napkins that you can wash and reuse. We don't have paper napkins in our house anymore. And while I realize paper towels are probably more sanitary than regular towels in the bathroom and kitchen - try to get the family members to only use one at a time. Do you really need three to dry your hands?

5) Cell Phones - Old cell phones can serve a wonderful purpose other than piling up in your drawers or in landfills: Church groups, youth groups, and other nonprofit organizations, etc. PASS Your Used Cell Phone to phones FOR life:
Protecting the Environment
Assisting Seniors
Supporting Victims of Domestic Violence
Saving Kids
Or sell them online or at a yard sale.
RadioShack collects used cell phones for violence victims
Other locations can be found at Call 2 Recycle
Whichever you choose to do with them, be sure to clean off your saved phone numbers! Go to Wireless Recycling for information on how to accomplish this!

6) Plant a garden! We've had one since we first got married. (Michelle Obama is right on time with the one at the White House!) Try to grow the things you use a lot. We always grow tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and herbs. Don't have a lot of space? Use pots. The shade from a large tree in my yard took over my wonderful garden area that I'd had for several years. So I moved lots of the garden into pots to another area where there's more sun. Added bonus, they can be moved again if necessary. I even have container size lemon, lime and orange plants (they were moved indoors during the cold weather). Herbs are in pots on the deck closer to the kitchen for easier access. My girls now 24 and 25 used to love picking the tomatoes and string beans and learning how to cut herbs for use in our meals. They're in apartments now and I'm hoping they will consider planting in pots! And don't forget to share with neighbors, friends and co-workers if you have enough - plant extra if you can just for that purpose.

7) Compost: recyle old food to make new dirt for your garden. Vegetable and fruit peals, old lettuce, coffee grinds, etc. Just no meat, meat by-products, dairy products or oil.

8) Consider getting a rain barrel to collect rain water for your garden and plants. Or you can make your own. Check out: http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/conservation/rainbarrel/

Energy -
1) Install programmable thermastats to change the temperature in the house for a lower or higher temperature based on when you're at home, away or asleep. If I can install one, trust me they are not that difficult, so can you - just be sure to turn off the electricity first! Install one in each zone.

2) Change out those old standard incandescent bulbs for the longer lasting Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs. They come in lots of different wattages and shapes and sizes. They even make dimmable ones now. For additional information about these bulbs including proper disposal check out: http://www.energywise.govt.nz/library/efficient-light-bulbs-the-facts-jul-08.pdf

3) Unplug electronics and electrical items that are not used all the time including your cell phone charger!

4) Caulk and install weather stripping and/insulation around your windows, doors and even the electrical outlets close to the outdoors (electric outlet sealers - fire retardant plastic form -Thermal products, Co., Inc.) - you'll save $$ since there's a lot less cold air coming in during the cooler months and a lot less a/c going out during warm months.

5) Your clothes dryer - Remove the lint from the filter after every use. It will be more efficient and you won't have that as a fire hazard to worry about.

6) Replace your furnace filters regularly: You'll be amazed how dirty they get and changing them will not only help your furnace work less, but your inside air will be cleaner too (especially helpful if you have animals!) Dirty filters have been compared to trying to breathe through a sock - yikes!

7) Save on gas by changing the oil in your car every 3,000 miles or when suggested by your manufacturer, keeping your tire pressure accurate and not driving around with tons of stuff in your car (might even be an incentive to lose a few lbs yourself?)and I promise your vehicle will run more efficiently and save on gas.