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Best Tips To Summerize Your Home and Save Money

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It is almost that time of year when we finally get to play outside, drink lemonade, and break out our favorite shorts and sandals.

For most people, summertime is highly anticipated, in all ways but one: the heat. When the temperature increases, the energy bills go up as well.

The increase in the electric bill to keep that AC running is something most people dread. If you are already living on a tight budget, an increase of even a few dollars in utility bills can make a big difference.

But you can take measures to help keep your home cooler in the summer and keep more money in your pocket. Here are some steps to summerize your home.

Outside Your Home

Here are a few places to start on keeping your home safe from the withering summer sun!

Seal up that fireplace!

Experts estimate that uncovered fireplaces add up to six million dollars a year in wasted energy bills. Although they may help to heat your home in the winter months, leaving a fireplace as is during the summer allows cooled air to escape.

You can install a door over the front of the fireplace to keep the air from entering the chimney. Also, make sure the flue or damper is closed and consider a seal or insert to keep cool air inside where it belongs.

Let Mother Nature Do the Work

The landscaping around your home can help absorb some of the heat created by that summer sunshine and make cooling areas of shade simultaneously. For example, plant deciduous trees and shrubs that will shade walls and roof sections that receive the most direct sunlight. It also helps to shade outdoor AC units.

Consider the benefits that trees will provide during the winter months and avoid blocking any breezes that can help to cool your home. For the best advice, ask a professional landscaper for advice on which plants and trees to choose and where to place them for optimal cooling.

Install Overhangs

A roof overhang protects your windows and the exterior of the house and prevents that hot summer sun from beating directly against your windows. This helps the entire house stay cooler and will lower energy costs.

Paint It White?

Light colors reflect light and heat away from your home instead of absorbing it as dark colors do. Therefore, you probably want to consult an expert before painting your shingles.

Windows and Doors

Most of the cool air that escapes from your home gets out through the windows and doors. So, doing some preventive maintenance in these places, like putting up weather sealing strips, can save you a lot of money on your energy bills.

Replace Storm Doors

Many people remove the windows in their storm doors for screens during the summer months. This will allow you to take advantage of cool breezes on days when you do not need the air conditioner.

Check The Gaps

Check the window screens around your home for gaps and tears. Adding caulk around windows and door frames helps seal up gaps that you may not be able to see. Any space where cooled air can escape from your home will make your air conditioner work harder and add to your energy costs.

Keep the Sunshine Out

Covering windows in your home with heavy drapes and blinds will block the sun’s rays and help to insulate them. This keeps the heat from the sun outside while keeping the cooled air inside.

The most important windows to cover will be on the west and south sides of the home, where the sunlight is most direct. You can even choose thermal curtains and solar shades to get the best chance at providing extra insulation.

Time for New Windows?

If your home has older windows, it might be time to invest in energy-efficient windows. While the upfront cost may be high, upgraded windows will save you money in the long run. Solar window films, especially the Low-E kind, are another way to keep warm air from coming in through your windows.

Cool Night Air

While the windows should be closed during hot days while the air-conditioner is buzzing away, take advantage of those cooler night temperatures by opening curtains and windows as far as possible. Allowing your home to cool off naturally overnight rather than running the AC all night will save substantial money.

Let the Breeze Blow

If you have windows in your home that are across from each other or even diagonally spaced, open both windows to create a cross breeze that will naturally cool the space. Enhance the effect with a fan in each window, one set to pull air in and the other reversed to blow air out.

Speaking of Fans

The more fans you have, the better. Fans will help circulate the air in your home, whether you have an air-conditioner or not. Place fans in rooms you occupy frequently. If you have ceiling fans in your home, make sure they are set to reverse (counterclockwise) to pull warm air up toward the ceiling instead of blowing it down.

Keep It Cool with AC

If you are in the market for a new air conditioning system, consider the pros and cons of window units and central air systems before deciding which is suitable for your home.

Window units are very inexpensive, considering their value on a sweltering day. And you can move them from room to room if needed.

A central air conditioning system may be more economical, depending on the size of your home. It will cost more upfront but may save you money over time. Plus, it adds value to your home. However, consider additional costs like maintenance and repairs.

If you choose an outdoor central air system, keep it clean from dirt and debris that can block the airflow. You will also want to have it serviced regularly to keep it in peak performance shape. Have the professional check for freon leaks and change the filter every thirty to ninety days.

Size Does Matter

Choosing the right-sized air conditioning unit for your home is essential, especially if the idea is to save money on energy bills. A unit that is too big is a waste of money and is less efficient. On the other hand, a unit that is too small won’t be able to cool your space properly and will wind up constantly running, eating up money in the process.

Check the Vents

Check to make sure the registers are open in your home in the rooms you wish to cool. However, you may want to close any registers in the basement because that space tends to stay cool. Close off any rooms you don’t plan to occupy and cover the windows with shades or drapes.

Make a note of where the return air ducts are in your home. Blocking off a room without a return duct won’t help cool it down. Instead, try using a fan and running the AC on the cool setting instead of automatic. This will help keep a balanced temperature throughout all the rooms in your home.

Look around in the attic or crawlspace of your home and close any air vents leading to these spaces. While you’re up there, add some insulation. Insulation keeps your home warmer in the winter, and it can also keep the heat out and the cold air in during the summer.

Other Cool Tips

Avoid using appliances that generate heat whenever possible. Or try to limit their use to the early hours of the morning or late in the evening.

The oven and the clothes dryer are the biggest offenders. So, opt for the microwave or grill outside on hot days, or better yet, choose cold meals that do not require cooking.

As for the laundry, use an indoor drying rack or an outdoor clothesline to save energy and prevent extra heat in your home. Plus, line-dried laundry smells better!

Time to summerize: Get your home ready for warm weather

Check the lightbulbs in your home and replace any incandescent lights with CFL bulbs. Older style incandescent bulbs generate more heat and have been phased out of stores in favor of CFL or LED bulbs.

Cool Off Your Vibe

Taking steps to keep your home cooler and your energy bills lower is excellent, but there are some simple steps you can follow inside your home to make it feel lighter and cooler. Creating a cooler vibe might make you feel cooler too.

  • Change out heavy bed covers and sheets for lighter options. Linen and cotton are great summer options and will stay cooler than heavier fabrics. Go for light, cool colors to brighten a space and make it feel more like summer
  • Pack away clutter and knickknacks and opt for a more open, clean feel. The less you have sitting around to hold the heat, the better. Plus, it will give you a chance to do some redecorating
  • Cover upholstered couches and chairs with light-colored slipcovers. Then, add some splashes of summer color with throw pillows or accent pieces
  • Switch out wall art for options that feature light and bright colors. Or paint the walls to brighten a room with cool, light, summery colors
  • Store heavy or dark throw rugs for use in the winter. Choose bare floors or go with rugs that are lighter and more summer-shaded

For many people, summer is the best time of year, and it should be celebrated and enjoyed. Do not spend your summer sitting around sweltering in the heat. Instead, take some simple preventative steps to maximize your comfort and save money this summer. When you “summerize” your home, you can focus more energy on enjoying the warm weather and sunshine and less time sweating over that next electric bill.

Image credit: [Adamkaz]

The 5 Best and Worst Coupon Apps

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Who does not love saving money? Coupon apps are one of the best ways to save money. From grocery apps like Ibotta to Shopkick rewards, smartphone coupon apps are great options to save money on the go.

Keep more dollars in your wallet by using these apps to shop for everything you would typically buy, from groceries and family fun days to clothes or dining out.

By offering coupons, promo codes, points, or cash back, coupon apps help consumers pay less for things they would buy anyway. Most apps are free, but not all coupon apps are created equal. Scammers create fake apps to look like trusted brands, and you can safely download them from the Google Play Store. Steer clear of coupon fraud and scams by avoiding too-good-to-be-true deals, following rules, and not copying or using expired coupons. 

If you love saving money when you shop, check out these 5 best and worst coupon apps of 2022.

1.    Ibotta

You have probably heard friends rave about this popular grocery app. Here’s how it works:

  • To save money and avoid buying extra stuff while strolling the aisles, you can open your Ibotta app before you leave home to check for any coupons for things you plan to buy.
  • Ibotta lets you mark the coupons right in the app.
  • Next, head to the grocery store to buy the items you usually buy. Remember to hang on to your receipt since you will need it to claim your savings.
  • Back at home (or in your car if you can’t wait), open the Ibotta app. Select the option to redeem your previously selected coupons.
  • You will need to scan the barcode on each item and the barcode listed on your receipt. The credit shows up as soon as a few minutes or up to one business day.

All you need to do is wait until your credit reaches $20, then you can cash out your rewards via gift cards, PayPal, or as a direct deposit to your bank.

It is one of the fastest, legitimate, and most popular ways to get real cash back for your everyday purchases.

What to Avoid

Apps that offer fantastic super savings and high-value offers need to be avoided. If you see an app, email, or website that provides a $500 gift card, coupon, or promo code, the chances are that it is almost always a fake.

2.    Groupon

While it is not grabbing the news these days, Groupon is the original everyday deal app and is still a popular player in the online coupon space.

Typically, most Groupon coupons act as a discount on a specific service or experience. For instance, you can get $10 off for $20 at a restaurant in your area. Or you can get a spa experience for two at a discounted rate.

Groupon can save you a lot of money at places that you already use. It is also a great discount tool to check out deals at a new place. Groupons can be used for a wide range of services and activities, such as eating out, skydiving, wine tasting, going to the zoo, going to a theme park, getting a spa day, going go-karting, or getting home repairs done.

Keep in mind that Groupon promos are time-sensitive. This means that you will need to use them during a specific timeframe. However, if you have already paid and the promotion expires, you still have the option to redeem it to get your cash value back. 

What to Avoid

Watch out if you see an app that’s the only app that offers that great deal. For instance, if all other websites only offer a 10% off code, a 75% off deal is probably a scam.

The 15 Best Mobile Coupon Apps That Will Help You Save Big Bucks

3.    Coupon Sherpa

You might not have heard of Sherpa Coupon, but it is a solid, older coupon app that offers many printable coupons.

Scan through the list for coupons for mall retailers, local department stores, big box stores, specialty stores, or restaurants.

The good news is that you do not have to print and clip coupons to take advantage of Coupon Sherpa.

These days, the site has a mobile app that can give you savings on the go.

What to Avoid

Check if the digital or printable coupons on an app lack legal information or expiration dates. Legitimate online coupons or printed offers will have coupon rules and requirements listed on the voucher. Digital coupons must always match the manufacturer’s guidelines.

4.    Shopkick

Although Shopkick isn’t exactly a traditional coupon app, this app is a great way to earn points at stores you shop at online or visit in person.

Shopkick has joined with many popular chain stores to enable this rewards system. Just turn on your location services, walk into a store, and open the app to collect your rewards.

Once you earn enough rewards, called “kicks,” you can redeem the points for a gift card to your favorite listed retailer—Target, Walmart, Kroger, Best Buy, Yankee Candle, and TJMaxx.

You can save the most money if you take a few minutes to look for specific items on the list, find them in the store, and scan the barcodes.

Another way to get even bigger savings is to shop on big sale days of the year, such as Black Friday, where you can often earn up to 200 kicks in one day.

You can even earn kicks for visiting store sites online, watching short in-app video clips, or scanning a receipt for a purchase made in person. Check the app to see which points qualify for purchases that you make regularly. It’s a great way to collect passive points while going about your everyday shopping.

What to Avoid

Do not ever pay for a coupon. A legitimate app won’t ask for money. So, anything that requires you to pay before giving you the offer is a big red flag.

5.    Coupons.com

This is a versatile app that you can use on both Apple and Android smartphones.

If you are always on the hunt for offers, then coupons.com is a giant company that offers a ton of deals for groceries and everyday purchases.

With the app, you can take advantage of these deals while on the go. Browse digital deals at places like Petco and Old Navy, or add the coupons to your Apple mobile wallet via the Passbook app.

Here are the top 3 ways that you can access your coupon savings:

  • Print an email from your computer
  • Print a deal from your mobile device (this only works if you’re using an iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, and some HP printers)
  • Add the coupon to your store loyalty card and scan it when you check out

Use your phone to store coupons and scan to get the best rewards at checkout.

What to Avoid

Watch out for apps that employ scammers’ bait-and-switch strategies. For example, this scam pretends to offer you a coupon code online, free and clear. Then, once you agree to it, it makes you fill out a form with your personal information.

Top 8 Tips to Save Money Shopping on Amazon

Image credit: [Getty Images Signature]

10 Ways To Keep Your Bills from Exceeding Your Income

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Bills and paying them are a natural part of life now. What is worrisome is when your bills start exceeding your income. You can end up in a hole due to financial choices or circumstances outside your control. Or you could lose your job.

There could be an emergency expense. You could experience lifestyle creep, where your expensive tastes start to exceed your income.

Want to stop living paycheck to paycheck?

Here are 10 ways to be more aware of your bills, how to lower them, and how to gain more money.

1. Assess and Break Down Your Finances

When you are trying to keep your bills from exceeding your income, the first thing to do is sit down and take stock of your financial situation.

  • Examine your net worth. Subtract your debt from your assets to get a good idea of where you stand. Then, figure out your cash flow.
  • This means determining how much money you have coming in each month. Then, compare how much you have going out in bills each month.
  • Once you have figured out how much money you have coming in versus how much money you have going out, breaking these big numbers into different categories can help you control your spending.

For instance, determine how much you spend on food, gas, utilities, rent or mortgage payments, credit card debt, clothing, student loans, car notes, personal loans, insurance, personal care, vacations, and entertainment.

2. Write Down a Budget

It is hard to keep track of your financial health if you are going by memory.

One of the best ways to visualize your spending and saving is to have an online app or physical planner where you write down how you will spend your money.

If you want to increase your spending, you can commit to avoiding personal impulse buying by putting a miscellaneous spending category on the budget. For example, you can buy clothing or tools out of this budgeted section without guilt or overspending if your other expenses are covered.

3. Slash Discretionary Spending

It is easy to go out to eat every week or get caught up in an impulsive Amazon spending habit. If you do not need it to live (rent, mortgage, food, or loans), then cut it out. If you have credit card debt, this is a contractual obligation that you need to pay.

Taking control of your financial wellbeing and reining in your bills requires determination. No excuses. This means that you may want to cook at home when you do not feel like it. Cutting out the fat can mean downsizing, cutting out fancy vacations, or canceling extra subscriptions.

Although it is hard to cut discretionary spending, taking this step is enough for most people to get their budget back on track. Even though it can hurt, cutting out unnecessary expenditures can put more money in the bank and help you sleep better at night. 

4. Prioritize Your Bills

Sometimes, trimming the fat from your expenses is enough to keep your head above water.

If you are trying to maximize your savings, you need to organize your debts. This can mean making hard decisions about which bills to pay first.

  • First, look over your secured debts. These are things like your car loan or mortgage. If you fail to pay these bills, you could lose valuable assets like your house or vehicle.
  • Next, make sure you budget enough to pay for your utilities and insurance each month. You do not want to drive uninsured or have your power cut off.

https://www.wisebread.com/6-steps-to-take-when-you-have-more-bills-than-income

  • Finally, review your unsecured credit card debt. While you want to pay these bills on time to avoid credit issues, you might need to put these payments on the back burner if you cannot keep up with your secured bills.

Keep track of your prioritized bills by using a good spreadsheet. When you have money left after paying essential bills, put that money towards paying down credit card debt. You can also carry forward any savings to your next pay period.  

5. Set Aside Money in Separate Accounts

As you create your budget, put aside money for recurrent bills each month. It helps accumulate cash to pay large, annual, or expected bills in a separate account.

In addition, putting this money into a different account will help keep you from siphoning off money that you need for upcoming bills.

6. Centralize Your Bills

Are you always stacking bills on tables or stuffing them in drawers? It is easy to overlook bills and skip due dates this way.  

One good method to ensure that you do not miss any bills is to organize them in a central spot.  

Organizing your bills all in one place can be as simple as buying a basic letter carrier box. Hang it up and pigeonhole your bills in it when they arrive. You can stick each envelope in a numbered slot.

Putting the due date even a day earlier than the bill’s actual due date can help you pay bills on time.

7. Pare Down Essentials

If you are desperate to escape living paycheck to paycheck and restore equilibrium to your monthly balance, there are extra things that you can do to tighten your belt.

Tweaking your lifestyle at home can help you save some extra money each month.

While you do not need to shiver in the cold darkness, you could reduce your cooling or heating costs. Consider turning up the thermostat when you leave for work in the summer.

Then, you can turn it back down when you come home to feel comfortable. In addition, you can cut down on your utility bill by not blasting cold air on high while you’re not home.

The same thing applies to heating costs. So, grab a sweater or an extra blanket and get cozy.

Even if it is not your favorite way to live, for now, things like reducing your power bill by turning off lights, doing laundry on a cold cycle, taking shorter or cooler showers, and switching off ceiling fans if you are away can all help keep your bills from exceeding your income.  

You can also get your family involved in saving money together by watching TV together in the same room instead of having separate TVs in each room.

See if you can live with basic cable or a streaming service option instead of the more expensive digital TV.

8. Pack a Lunch

One of the fastest ways to keep down bills is by cooking at home. Instead of grabbing lunch on the go or ordering takeout, buy meat, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Make your own.

Meal planning can save you money every day. However, you can also create healthier options. For example, take your lunch to the park or create a fun dinner date to spice up an everyday lunch.

You can also avoid spending too much on spontaneous dining with friends and family by avoiding going out at mealtimes. 

If you do not know how to meal prep or want some fresh recipe ideas, many cooking tutorials and tasty meal ideas are available online.

9. Get a Good Deal from Your Billing Company

Save even when you’re paying the bills by asking for options. If you have a good record with the company, their representatives are more likely to work with you if you have fallen on hard times.

Communication is everything.

For example, if you need to push off a bill this month, ask to switch your billing date. Some companies may let you set up a payment plan instead of paying in full. You might even be able to cancel extra features that you do not need but might end up paying for if you don’t ask.

10. Pick Up Extra Work

There is only so much fat that you can trim when it comes down to it.

Sometimes, balancing your bills and income means you might need to start a side hustle or pick up an extra job. Even if you do not plan to have a food service, retail, or hospitality career, seasonal, temp, or part-time work can help pay the bills.

Keep in mind that saving money can put you in a better financial situation for the future. However, just because you might have to make radical changes now doesn’t mean this will last forever.

Image credit: [Aajan]