Live Debt Free

Pay off debt. Save. Give. Live your mission.

  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Credit Scores
  • Spending
  • Investing
  • Earn Money

Hot Water Savings – DFA Tip of the Week – 5/11/2009

05.16.2009 by Matt Jabs //

There are many ways to reduce costs in our every day lives, so to help do just that each Monday I will post a money saving “Tip of the Week”.

“And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.” Luke 19:17

This weeks tip involves…reducing your Hot Water Heater costs.  This post is coming about 5 days late, but better late than never!

The following post will deliver 4 inexpensive and easy to implement ways for you to significantly reduce your hot water heating costs.

Tip 1 – Turn off hot water heater

hwh_after

You can employ this tip regardless of whether you have a gas or an electric water heater.

What time of day does your family hit peak water usage?  If you are like most American families it is probably some time in the morning hours.  For my wife & I, the only time we really need hot water is around 7am during morning shower time, so here is what we are going to do and what you can do too!

  • Manually turn our gas water heater down to “Vacation” before we leave for work in the morning.
  • Keep it turned down all day.
  • Turn it back on right before bed time, so it can provide us our hot water again for the next mornings showers.

Tip 2 – Install an electric water heater timer

If you are like me and have a gas water heater this is not a viable option for you because of the pilot light system.

If you have an electric water heater you can install this inexpensive & highly rated automatic electric water heater timer.  Also, according to this quote from EnergySavers.gov you may be able to work with your local utility provider to reduce your costs as well:

“Contact your utility to see if it offers a demand management program. Some utilities offer “time of use” electricity rates that vary according to the demand on their system. They charge higher rates during “on-peak” times and lower rates during “off-peak” times. Some even offer incentives to customers who allow them to install control devices that shut off electric water heaters during peak demand periods.”

Tip 3 & 4 – Insulate your hot water system

  • I installed an insulation blanket around my hot water heater – This blanket was easy to install, cost only $10, and will pay for itself in energy savings in a few months time.

hwh_blanket

  • I insulated the hot water pipes in my basement – This was also a very inexpensive and easy project, and one that will deliver hot water savings for the entire time I am in my home.

hwh_pipes

Are there other simple & inexpensive ways to reduce hot water costs that I have not mentioned?  Let us know in the comments!

Click here to see all our past DFA Tips of the Week.

DFA is passionately dedicated to helping others break the bondage of debt using biblical principles.

Categories // Expenses, Tips Tags // appliances, reduce, Reduce Expenses, totw, water

Order Water! – DFA Tip of the Week – 2/23/2009

02.23.2009 by Matt Jabs //

There are many ways to reduce costs in our every day lives, so to help do just that each Monday I will post a money saving “Tip of the Week”.

This weeks tip involves a subject my wife & I have been practicing lately; though I did not think to blog on the subject until I was sparked into action by a post on Satyam Nayak’s blog which he titles “Improbability Drive”.

When you go out to eat, instead of ordering a soda, coffee, tea, juice, milk, bottled water, or any other type of drink…simply order a glass of tap water.  My wife & I notice that most restaurants are charging between $1.75 and $2.25 for these beverages.  This is an incredible mark up and one that costs you nearly $5 every time you go out to eat.  If you drink alcohol, the cost is greatly increased; in fact if you purchase alcoholic drinks with your dinner you could easily spend half as much on liquids as you do on your meal!

Let’s say you go out to eat four times a month.  Using an average cost of $4 for drinks for you and your spouse (adjust cost accordingly per your situation) and adding tax for your purchase you will spend $17 every month on 8 drinks!  This money could be better utilized on that Netflix subscription you have been wanting to get, or perhaps $17 extra into your savings account.  Unless of course you like *ahem*, pardon the term…pissing your money away!

So next time you & your better half are out to dinner just order a nice tall tasty glass of ice water!

Click here to see all our past DFA Tips of the Week.

Categories // Spending, Tips Tags // cost, dining, eating, frugal, order, out, water

Popular Posts

  • Understanding & Improving your Cash Flow
  • Credit Card Debt Reduction Handbook
  • Our Monthly Debt Reduction and Savings Statements
  • Pay off Credit Cards VS Build Emergency Fund Savings - Me VS Suze Orman
  • Credit Cards - Close 'em Shred 'em & Forget 'em!
  • More Reasons to Pay Off Credit Card Debt
  • Wise Use of Paid off Credit Cards? You Decide.
  • The Whole Armor of Personal Finance
  • One World Currency - New World Order
  • Debt Testimonials - Encouraging Success Stories!

Disclaimer

Content on Debt Free Adventure is for entertainment purposes only. Rates & offers from advertisers shown on this website may change without notice: please visit referenced sites for current information. Per FTC guidelines, this website may be compensated by companies mentioned through advertising, affiliate programs or otherwise. We respect your privacy. Privacy policy.

Popular Posts

  • Lending Club - My Review of Social Lending
  • Understanding & Improving your Cash Flow
  • Credit Card Debt Reduction Handbook
  • Our Monthly Debt Reduction and Savings Statements
  • Pay off Credit Cards VS Build Emergency Fund Savings - Me VS Suze Orman
  • Credit Cards - Close 'em Shred 'em & Forget 'em!
  • More Reasons to Pay Off Credit Card Debt
  • Wise Use of Paid off Credit Cards? You Decide.
  • The Whole Armor of Personal Finance
  • One World Currency - New World Order
  • Debt Testimonials - Encouraging Success Stories!

Disclaimer

Content on Debt Free Adventure is for entertainment purposes only. Rates & offers from advertisers shown on this website may change without notice: please visit referenced sites for current information. Per FTC guidelines, this website may be compensated by companies mentioned through advertising, affiliate programs or otherwise. We respect your privacy. Privacy policy.

Copyright © 2023 · Modern Studio Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in