SavvySugar

Do You Rinse Dishes Before Loading the Dishwasher?

SavvySugar — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 12:00:28 -0700

It's second nature for me to rinse a dirty dish before placing it in my dishwasher; it's what I was taught to do growing up, and the habit always made sense until I came across a tip from Consumer Reports.

The value focused publication suggests that if saving money and water are household goals, we should do the opposite and resist rinsing. CR estimates that just 10 percent of Americans have stopped prerinsing their dishes. What's your dish ritual?

Could a Time-of-Use Plan Lower Your Electric Bill?

SavvySugar — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 04:30:13 -0700

Energy bills can skyrocket in seasons that demand temperature regulation, namely Winter and Summer. SmartMoney has noticed more electric companies offering time-of-use options for customers who are able to minimize their energy use during certain times of the day.

The plans come with lower rates for off-peak times, usually from midevening to early morning, but the rates are much higher for peak-hours use. SmartMoney uses an Arizona-based SRP to explain how time-of-use-plans typically work: the particular company charges 10.73 cents per kilowatt hour during Summer, but a time-of-use plan would charge 20.03 cents for on-peak hours (1 p.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays) and 6.30 cents during the rest of the day.

So, if you're someone with a schedule that regularly keeps you out of the house during peak hours, a time-of-use plan might help to lower your electric bill. Give your electric company a call to check on your options.

Are You Careless With Energy Use While Staying in Hotels?

SavvySugar — Fri, 08 May 2009 04:30:17 -0700

The perpetually clean bathrooms, plush bath towels, fresh sheets, and anytime room service make hotels divinely liberating. There's another element of home life I've noticed some people ditch when they're staying away, and that's flipping off the light switch when they're not in the room.

According to Claire Newell, author of Travel Best Bets, being conscientious about your energy use in your hotel room is a travel rule to live by, just like the middle seat person on a plane getting both armrests. She encourages people to "pack their environmentally friendly habits when they travel," meaning turning off the lights and not taking longer showers than you would at home.

Source

6 Ways to Cut Back on Utilities and Household Costs

SavvySugar — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 13:30:24 -0700

Running a household isn't cheap. Whether you're a renter or an owner, you have a collection of other costs - from insurance, utilities, and groceries to cleaning and repair fees. Most SavvySugar readers dish out a minimum of $100 per month on utilities alone. If you are looking for ways to reduce all the dolla dolla bills going out the door, check out some of my household cost-cutting suggestions.

Trade Magazines, DVDs, and Books With Your Friends	Never Home? Consider Stopping Internet, Phone, or Cable	Take Stock of Your In-Home Media Memberships
A Cheaper Way to Clean Your Home	Five Energy Saving Ideas For Renters and Owners	Unplug When You Don't Need Power

Five Energy Saving Ideas For Renters and Owners

SavvySugar — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 08:00:18 -0700

The weather turned ch-ch-ch-chilly this weekend, and while the season change gets us in the mood for Halloween it also means we can expect higher energy bills sooner than later. Right on time, Consumer Reports came up with a list of 25 ways to save on utilities when the weather is cold. They are all great tips but these five ideas can appeal to both renters and homeowners alike.

Save $25 to $75 each year by using the system standby or hibernating feature on your computer.
Don't overload the dryer. Clothes will take longer to dry - and they'll come out wrinkled.
Open blinds and shades on cold days. Solar heat gain can raise interior temperature significantly. But close them at night to minimize heat loss.
Dust off the slow cooker. You'll use a lot less energy than cooking a meal across several burners and in the oven.
Lower the temperature a degree or two before guests arrive. A house full of people generates a lot of body heat.

Source

Money Tip: Savings Idea to Try This Month

SavvySugar — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 08:00:28 -0700

Oprah featured the "thriftiest family in America" on Wednesday's episode, so I stopped by her website to check out a recap. What I found was nothing really new, just an overall message to cut spending by tracking expenses and finding deals. However, I did find a money saving hint from a woman named Rhondalyn that could be an interesting experiment to save money and energy. Here's what she accomplished.

To save on her electric bill, Rhondalyn unplugs everything in her home when it's not in use. Appliances, TV sets and lamps that are plugged in pull in energy even if they are turned off, and Rhondalyn says the small change has added up. In May 2008, her energy bill was $268. After she started unplugging, her bill went down to $91. And when Rhondalyn got really vigilant-even turning off the air conditioning-her energy bill was only $60.42. That's over $200 in savings!

Have you ever tried this saving idea?

Source

News Flash: Make More Room in Your Budget For Electric Bills

SavvySugar — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 04:11:40 -0700

As if the 30 percent increase in electric bills over the past five years wasn't enough, many US households will see their bills jump another 29 percent this Summer. We all can expect energy costs to increase but the percentage depends on each utility company.

For example, Potomac Edison in Virginia will raise rates by 29 percent while AmerenUE of Missouri will raise rates by 12.1 percent. Some residents have already seen big increases, like customers of Colorado's Public Service Co. whose rates jumped 25 percent at the beginning of June. The cause of these large hikes? Why fuel costs, of course.

Source

Save Money and Energy Whether It's Cool or Hot

SavvySugar — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 15:35:11 -0800

Lately, I've been wishing that Real Simple was my BFF! They've come out with some great money tips recently and their latest contribution intersects two essential greens - money and the environment. They put together this handy checklist of energy-related savings solutions, and while some are givens (like buying energy-efficient lightbulbs) others are surprising (I had no idea that it makes a difference if a washing machine is top loading or front loading). Click on the image to see the full checklist and start spending less on your energy bills each year.

Wednesday Check-In: You May Need a Midweek Makeover

SavvySugar — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 08:30:17 -0700

We've hit the midweek mark - and while that may not be cause for celebration for everyone, it's certainly reason enough to stop and evaluate your weekly progress. Are you on task to complete assignments in time for the weekend or have you spent all of your time prepping your Halloween costume and readying your apartment for a slew of trick-or-treaters? If this is the case, you may be in need of a midweek makeover?

Today, take a few minutes to check in with yourself - finances, office assignments, personal errands, and any obligations. Since we're headed into a busy Halloween weekend and then, the beginning of a new month, it's unlikely that you'll find the time to tie up any loose ends over the weekend. So, get going now.

Take a moment to look over expenses, and put any saving reminders and good-spending practices into place. As far as errands go, make sure you're making time for your personal tasks as well as office work, and remember to work smart - focusing your energy and time on the tasks you find most challenging first to avoid being burned out later.

To continue your midweek makeover, read more.

Since November is often a busy time with the holiday and family, try to get ahead now - get your November calendar out and mark important dates and deadlines. This way, while you're out enjoying the Halloween festivities, you can rest easy, knowing you've already planned ahead at home.

If all else fails, take the time midweek to give your attitude a makeover. If you're finding that you're stressed out by the impending holiday and your workload at the office, do just one thing for yourself - actively tune into what's going on, and disregard the tendency to tune it all out. Prioritize what must be done, and set an ultimate goal to remain positive throughout the week.

Brilliant or Baffling: Napping Pods

SavvySugar — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 11:08:49 -0700

Some companies, including Google and W Hotels, are beginning to capitalize on the benefits of power naps by investing in EnergyPods. It's no secret that napping can increase productivity, and a NASA study shows that a 26-minute nap can increase performance by 34 percent.

The EnergyPod comes with a built-in music player and has a "gentle waking" system that uses a combination of lights and vibration. What do you think?