Money Saving Ideas

1. Give your dishwasher a break. Turn off the dry cycle and air dry your dishes instead. This can save you up to 1 percent of your energy bill. Or, for more savings, wash the dishes by hand.
2. Do laundry efficiently. Use the warm or cold water setting to wash your clothes instead of hot water, and always use cold water to rinse them. Whenever possible, line dry your clothes or hang them on a rack.
3. Replace your air conditioner filters. Dirty, clogged filters can force your system to run longer and use more energy. You should replace the filters monthly for maximum benefits.
4. Get some fresh air. Turning off your air conditioining can save money. Leave your windows open or buy several fans to circulate the air, especially at night when it’s already cooler outside.
5. Pull out the grill. Throw a barbecue outside instead of using the oven. It tastes delicious and will keep your home cooler. Many public parks have grills available if you do not own one.
6. Travel smart. With rising airline ticket prices and fees, you may want to consider another mode of travel, such as train. If an airline flight is necessry for a vacation, book it early to get the best rate. July is one of the busiest travel months, so perhaps choose a trip later in the summer.
7. Packing light will go a long way when traveling by air. Some airlines are charging extra fees for checked baggage. You can avoid these extra fees by only packing what you absolutely need for the trip.
8. Dust off the library card. Visit your local library this summer for an excellent assortment of books you haven’t read. Some libraries have DVDs or movies to borrow, which can save you a bundle.
9. Keep an eye out for end-of-summer sales. Experts say the best time to purchase home and garden supplies is after July 4. Watch for summer clothing and swimwear sales at the end of summer and stock up for next year.
10. Buy a city pass. Popular tourist ciites, such as New York, Seattle, San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia and Hollywood, offer special passes that allow you to visit several attractions for a reduced price. Many theme parks, museums and national parks offer similar passes, which can be found online.