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Tips to Cost Reduction |
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The home is the best place to start. This is where you spend most of your time and by making little changes, you can see big results. If you have mortgaged the house, consider fixed rate payments or an adjustable rate mortgage with interest only payments. When it comes to utilities, did you know that low income families qualify for reduced rates? Gas and electricity and phone companies offer such special programs. Sometimes, even conservation may earn you reductions. Use fluorescent bulbs throughout your home. They are more energy efficient, long lasting and cost-effective in the long run. Encourage children to use a book/reading light, especially for those who tend to stay up late studying. Then they will be less likely to fall asleep with the house lights on. Check that your home is sealed properly from the outside or your air conditioner/heater will be working harder than it has to.
Talking of conservation, how many of us lounge in bath tubs for hours, just to feel relaxed? Give preference to the shower and put a stop to wasting a whole lot of water. Relaxation can come in other forms. Be sparing when it comes to doing the laundry. Detergents help to keep clothes clean but they should not be used in exorbitant amounts in the hope that it will have an ‘extra-white’ effect.
Take a good look at your automobile. If it’s low of energy efficiency, take it to the garage and have it checked by a mechanic. Not only does incomplete burning of fuel cost you financially (in these days of high petroleum costs) but you are contributing to pollution and climate change, in your own small way! One way to save gas is to inflate your tires properly and to keep the vehicle light. If you live in an area with a comfortable and reliable public transport system, why not try that for a change. You can use the tube to catch up on the news, do some other reading or just relax. Another way to save gas is simply by planning your days every morning so that you needn’t make multiple trips to and fro. Try to pick up groceries on the way home from work. Try to avoid congested roads.
Food is another day to day expense that we often take for granted. Here again, the wives and mums need to plan - about a week ahead. Don’t cram your fridge with supplies (especially fish, meat) if you know you’ll have lunch/dinner outings planned. When going to work, don’t count on grabbing your meals somewhere along the way. Getting up early allows you to have a healthy breakfast and to pack your lunch. When you have had a proper breakfast, you won’t end up spending on quick snacks throughout the day.
We all know how restaurants tend to serve big portions that suit their charges but are just too much for one person to eat. If you go to a restaurant with friends and don’t feel up to a full meal, try sharing the food and the costs with a friend.
Reduce your phone bill by taking calls during off-peak hours. You may want to check whether there are better packages that suit your purpose. For example, if you receive hundreds of calls on your mobile but rarely take any yourself, how about getting a connection with a free incoming facility? Keep long distance conversations short. Internet chat may work better here.
Women love clothes and the enthusiasm never seems to wane, even when we are well past being ‘twenty-something’s. While admitting to our weakness for seemingly good bargains, we continue to stack up credit card bills after a day of shopping. The trick is to buy clothes that you are sure you will wear and to avoid the impulsive, I’ve-just-got-to-have-that-dress mode. If you have a social event, don’t buy the outfit months before the actual event or at the last minute. Both will cost you more than if you had taken time to think of the whole ensemble and compare prices. If you want to buy accessories, take the outfit with you, so that you won’t mismatch. Use coupons wisely and take time to explore clearance sales.
Entertainment is hard to cut down on. But sometimes, you will find that renting movies instead of buying DVDs and borrowing books from the library instead of splurging on the latest best-sellers will give you some extra pocket money. If you do go to the theatre, remember to take your own snacks and drinks.
Finally, pay attention to you health. Just because you have not suffered any serious ailments in the recent past does not mean that you are invulnerable to various viruses and bacteria doing the rounds. Visit your dentist every six months to get teeth cleaned and save yourself from falling victim to cavities and infections. Eat well and take plenty of rest, especially in the form of a good night’s sleep. Exercise is a must for all ages as it improves blood flow and overall vigor. Forget the expensive exercise machines and gyms. You can get a good cardio vascular workout by running up and down the stairs at home for ten minutes everyday. |
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