Here are the 10 tips that I have personally used to save on my home heating costs:

1. Head down to the basement and reduce the setting on your hot water thermostat by about 10 degrees. I wouldn’t go below 120-115 degrees. The adjustment dial is typically a red knob towards the bottom of the water tank.

2. While you are downstairs, make sure you have clean filters for your central air-heating unit. A dirty and clogged filter will force your unit to work much harder and stay on longer as it struggles to fresh air through the clogged filter to heat the rest of your house.

3. Check your air ducts for gaps, leaks or disconnects. If you have any disconnects or leaks in your ductwork, your heating bills could be 25% higher than they need to be if these gaps were sealed. If you can’t do this on your own, hire a professional. This expert can also clean your ducts for added efficiency.

4. Adjust your thermostat a few degrees lower. Believe me, this really adds up. It may not seem like much of a difference to you, but you will notice the difference when you get a lower bill each month!

5. While we are on the subject of thermostats, consider replacing yours if it is not programmable. The reason is, you can set the thermostat so the temperature setting in your house is lower at night than during the day, when you are awake. Also, if you are away at work during the day, you can set it for a lower temperature and have it programmed to start heating the house a little bit before you come home. These aren’t too expensive and are easy to install and configure yourself.

6. Insulate your attic. Heat rises, right? If your attic isn’t properly insulated, all of the heat in your house (and your money) goes right through the roof. Literally! This does require some effort on your part, but following through on this tip will save you a ton of money over the years. Measure the square footage of your attic and buy rolls of insulation, greater than R-13 but no higher than R-30. Wear a mask and gloves when working with insulation because it irritates the skin.

7. Find those leaks and cracks! If you were to add up all of the small cracks and holes in your house, they would probably add up to a small window, wide open, letting cold air in and hot air out. Take the time to find gaps in windows, doors, pipes, electrical and phone lines, your dryer duct and much more. Put weather-strips around your doors and windows. You can buy insulation foam that comes in a can with a straw at the top that allows you to fill in tight spaces. It expands to fill even the smallest cracks. Of all of the tasks, this was the most fun finding and filling these gaps all around the house.

8. Close the vents in rooms that you do not use. I have one room in my house that is not currently in use. I shut the hot air ducts and made sure the windows and doors were properly sealed to limit energy leakage. Why waste your money heating up extra square footage of your house that you don’t even use?

9. Open drapes and shades for all of your windows during the day to let the sun heat your home. In the evening, pull them back down for added insulation. It is amazing how much direct sunlight streaming into your home helps to heat things up.

10. Your fireplace can help and hurt your heating costs. If you are not using your fireplace, make sure the damper is closed. When it is closed, inspect the damper and feel if cold air is still leaking in. If you are using your fireplace, make sure the heating in the rest of your house is reduced or turned off.

Taking the time to implement these tips will drastically reduce your home heating bills. You can get most of them done in just one day, but the payoff will last for as long as you live there! I followed through on each one of these tips and the following winter, my bills were about 25% lower, saving about $100 a month! So roll up your sleeves follow these tips and start saving money on your heating costs!

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The reason these methods don’t work is because we don’t concurrently cut our expenses while implementing these strategies. Even if we’re making more money, unless we cut expenses, we will continue to spend more money than we have and incur debt. Manage yourself and your money. Money is like food; we don’t eat only when we’re hungry, and we certainly don’t spend only when we need something.

Beware: Debt forgiveness can hurt you. The company that forgives your debt can issue a 1099C, which means the forgiven amount gets added to your taxed income.

When there’s a will, there’s another way:
Your credit score (also called your FICO or Beacon score) will affect the interest rate you’re able to secure. Credit scores range from 500 to 850. Where are you on the scale?

What’s in a number?
500 and below – your in serious trouble
650 to 680 you probably will have a difficult time getting credit, and if you do it will be at higher rates
700+–excellent score

How you got your credit score:
a) Payment history (35% of score). Make payments on time or early.
b) Amounts you owe (30% of score)
c) Credit history (15% of score). The longer you have credit, the higher your score can be.
d) New credit (10% of score). New credit cards.
e) Type of credit you have in use. Mortgages, Bloomingdale’s, etc.

There are three reporting services that can give you your score: Equifax, Experian, Transunion. At least once, do an experiment and order a report from all three. They probably will provide a complimentary report each year, per person. You will most likely find inconsistencies in the reports such as missing and incorrect information. Each time a credit report is run on you, your score is lowered by two or three points. You still want to shop around for a mortgage, but consider using a mortgage broker who runs one report to shop around the loan. If you go to five different banks, that can drop your score 15 points.

Therefore, as we have demonstrated a credit score is a terrible thing to waste.

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The reason this method is so popular is that paying the smallest debt off first gives you a quick win early on, giving you momentum and so you are more likely to stay with the plan.

Debt Snowball Step 1: List all your debts starting with the smallest balance

List all your loans starting with the smallest balance first and ending with the largest balance. Credit cards, personal lines of credit, bank loans, student loans, car loans, 2nd mortgages (yes that’s debt too), home equity lines of credit, overdraft credit lines are all included. The most distinctive feature of the debt snowball strategy is that the order is determined by amount owed, not the rate of interest charged. However, if two debts are very close in amount owed, then the one with the higher interest rate would be moved above in the list.

Debt snowball Step 2: Only pay the minimum amount on each debt

Find out from each lender what the smallest payment you can make on each loan is and only pay this minimum monthly payment. The reason you pay only the minimum amount on all other loans each month is so you can quickly pay off the smallest one first and not have to unnecessarily struggle to pay off all the others simultaneously.

Debt snowball Step 3: Make extra payments on the smallest debt

For the smallest amount owed you determine how much extra you can pay off whilst maintaining minimum monthly payments on the others. (It is this step that differs with other debt reduction strategies, focusing on paying off quickly the smallest amount owed rather than the amount with the highest interest rate)

Debt snowball Step 4: Once the smallest loan is paid in full, celebrate!

I don’t think this step needs much explanation! Needless to say don’t use any additional lines of credit to pay for your celebration!

Debt snowball Step 5: Tackle the next smallest loan

Now that the smallest loan is paid in full, you add the old minimum payment (plus any extra amount you were paying) from the first loan to the minimum payment on the second smallest one, and apply this new sum to repaying the second smallest.

Debt snowball Step 6: Repeat until all debt is paid

Repeat the process with each subsequent debt. In theory, by the time the final ones are reached, the extra amount paid toward the larger debts will have grow quickly, similar to a snowball rolling downhill gathering more snow (thus the name).

Note: A first home mortgage is generally not included in the debt snowball method, but is instead paid off as part of a larger financial plan. Many financial plans recommend pay off home mortgages in a later step, along with any other debt which is equal to or greater than half of one’s annual take-home pay.

Should One Make Retirement Contributions During the Debt Reduction Process?

Some financial advisors argue that all contributions are to be put on hold during the debt snowball, thus freeing up more money to make payments. However, if this is the case, it is recommended that retirement contributions should not be put on hold for more than 2 years. Others dispute this practice, citing the cost of compounding interest to be greater than the gains made from paying off debt. It’s really your call to make based on your financial priorities.

Debt Snowball vs. Avalanche

There’s a lot of debate over whether debt snowballing is better than other techniques such as the debt avalanche method (paying the highest interest rate loan first). The mathematics favor the avalanche, the psychology favors the snowballing. Should you have a $2,000 balance at 10% interest, and a $6,000 balance at 18% interest, it would make no financial sense to focus on paying off the lower amount first. So when there are large differences in the interest rate on each account then the snowball method would not make the most financial sense.

People with more financial discipline can make quicker headway by paying off the loans with the higher interest rates first. However, attacking the smallest loan first, whilst still maintaining minimum payments on everything else is a great strategy so long as you follow through on the plan and step up to the next smallest loan each time and knock those loans on the head for good!

The power of the debt snowball is in the momentum you obtain as you eliminate each debt. As well as that there’s the financial power you get from applying payments from previous loans onto the next ones, snowballing your payments. If you’re serious about eliminating debt, creating wealth and achieving financial freedom then why not sign up NOW for more insider secrets on debt reduction at www.MillionaireMindsetSecrets.com for free.

The line between needs and wants can get fuzzy sometimes. Really think about your standard of living and the reasons you spend what you do. If shopping is therapeutic for you, it is time to find a new stress reliever. Don’t completely cut fun out of your budget. But you can decrease the amount you spend on fun by going to the matinee instead of an evening showing at the movie theater. Check out your local library for entertainment. Pack a lunch for work instead of going out. Finding money to save is easy if you look carefully.

Finding money to save on your needs is easily done as well. Make a menu and shop for only the groceries you need. Eat before you go or you will be tempted to buy costly snacks. Shopping for clothing and other non-food items at garage sales or thrift stores saves a bundle. Take care of your car so that it will perform efficiently, or take public transportation. Review bills for unneeded services and cancel them. Cut down on subscriptions to magazines and newspapers. Clip coupons to save on items you buy. Search the internet for deals and savings. Refinance your mortgage or relocate to a less expensive apartment.

When you begin finding money to save, make sure that you have specific goals in mind. Dedicate an account to saving for a house, car, or other worthy goal. Don’t be tempted to use the money for something else. Emergencies arise, but don’t sacrifice your pinched pennies. Creatively find another way to take care of emergencies. Putting your savings into interest earning accounts helps your money to grow. Many higher yielding accounts make it harder for you to withdraw, adding a safety margin to temptation.

Joe Caterisano is a leading expert in finding money to save. To learn more, visit http://Penny-Pinching.BlogSpot.com today!

To get a CVS Extra Care card, sign up for an account either online or in-store. You can manage your CVS account and look at the savings that are piling up if you have an online account. Opt for email too. These are different from the circulars that come via snail mail. You earn Extra Bucks on your CVS rewards card in three ways. You will earn 2% back on every purchase you make at CVS (some exclusion). Every two prescriptions you purchase earn one Extra Buck. You can earn Extra Bucks based on weekly specials.

CVS Extra Care Bucks are printed on your receipt. If you just bought a promotional item, you get the Bucks for it on your receipt. Every three months your account is updated and the next time you make an in-store purchase, your Bucks print on the receipt. You can also visit your account online and print out your Extra Bucks. Keep in mind that the Bucks on your CVS rewards card are redeemable inside the store only. But you earn Bucks with both in-store and online purchases. Additional offers will print occasionally on your receipt as well. If that weren’t enough, there is also a college savings plan available when you use your CVS card.

Other things to keep in mind about your CVS rewards card are both exciting and cautionary. Extra Bucks must all be redeemed at the same time. You cannot use some and save some for later. You will not be given credit or cash back if you do not use all your Bucks. On the brighter side, you can combine manufacturer’s coupons with your purchases. Frequently customers get products for free with their careful planning and spending. Pay attention to rebates and weekly specials as well as your email. Extra savings are awaiting you when you put a little brain power to combining all the options for saving money.

Joe Caterisano is a leading expert in cvs rewards card. To learn more, visit http://Penny-Pinching.BlogSpot.com today!

Finding deals is practically effortless. They come to you unsolicited in the mailbox and the morning paper. They are in your favorite monthly magazine and local newsletters. They pile up on your desk looking like junk mail, but promising savings for whatever you might buy. To avoid the pile up, look through them as soon as they come. Keep a wallet or envelope dedicated to coupons. Some even organize them further with tabbed sections for cold cereal, canned vegetables, or salad dressing. If it becomes overwhelming, you might narrow your collection to the things you buy most. Or look for deals on things you are specifically shopping for.

Numerous internet sites are dedicated to ‘promotional codes’ and printable pages of savings. You can find a discount to anything you are shopping for, online, or off. Using those magical tickets is simple. Present them to the cashier and save money. You may want to present them before making the purchase, as they could require special steps for the cashier. Watch your total going down as each coupon is deducted from your bill. Sometimes it may seem useless to try when the discount is only thirty cents. Keep in mind that it all adds up. A little bit of clipping and organization on your part will result in great savings.

There are some inconveniences to coupons. Don’t forget that they are marketing ploys. Sometimes we are tempted to buy stuff simply because we have a coupon for it. In this case, extra money might be spent rather than saving it. If you want to save money, collect savings tickets for things you buy regularly. Most deals are on things that are less necessary like microwave popcorn rather than eggs. But if your family loves microwave popcorn, and you keep the pantry stocked with it, that’s when the real savings happen.

Joe Caterisano is a leading expert in coupons. To learn more, visit http://Penny-Pinching.BlogSpot.com today!

There are an increasing number of people who do it themselves. From making repairs on the car to installing a new water heater, why hire it out when you can do it yourself? The internet hosts all kinds of information. You can find out how to do anything. Being able to actually do it might be another question though. A dedicated person can conquer the learning curve. Given enough time and confidence, the thrifty become do it yourself pros. It is also helpful to make friends with professionals. Resourceful people ask questions. Professionals love to tell you all about their expertise. If you get stuck on your do it yourself job, professionals give you the boost you need to finish.

Put on your hazmat suit and dive in the dumpster. When something breaks, the general population throws it away. Sometimes the amount spent on repair is comparable to replacing the item. Thrifty people know that if they can locate broken stuff for free, and repair it themselves, they are the winners. People throw away amazing things like toys, TVs, appliances, furniture, you name it. Anymore the general public doesn’t even take the time to find out how much repairs might cost, they just throw it away. Odds are, very minor repairs will be needed. It might be gross and embarrassing, but just duck your head and think of how much you are saving.

Shopping for everyday items and regular needs, for many, is about convenience. Thrifty people are not afraid of a little inconvenience in order to gain what others ignore. Coupons, price matching, promotions, and deal hunting all take time and effort. It could be very worth it to spend that time and energy on finding ways to save money. There are many resources to help you find deals. It is possible to get a deal every time you spend money. Make warehouses, discount stores, and outlets your primary shopping destinations and you cut out considerable expense.

Joe Caterisano is a leading expert in thrifty. To learn more, visit http://Penny-Pinching.BlogSpot.com today!

Do you really have to have a 15-20 minute shower every day? Cut back your time in the shower. If you are really serious about changing your shower, do it navy submarine style. Turn the water on to get yourself all wet then turn it off to lather up. Turn the shower back on to rinse. The water is on for less than a minute total. If the thought of standing in the shower with no water scares you, try a water-saving shower head, they reduce use to two gallons per minute. Instead of hosing off your driveway, sweep it off. Washing dishes by hand often uses more water than dishwashers (happy thought for busy moms). Fixing leaky faucets or catching the leak to water your plants are all great methods of saving energy.

The use of electricity and natural gas in your home can be a means of saving energy. You can turn your water heater down in the summer and never notice the change. Hang your laundry outside to dry on nice days instead of using the dryer. Use fans to circulate air in your home to cut down on cooling costs. Invest in better or more insulation, caulk windows and doors and close the fire place damper. Turn the thermostat down a bit, especially in rooms that you don’t use often. Buy energy efficient appliances and unplug them when not in use. Close the curtains on really hot or cold days depending on the season. Do laundry in cold water.

Try other methods of saving energy like using rechargeable batteries or replacing incandescent light bulbs with energy saving ones. Turn out the lights entirely, even if you have to follow your kids around the house to do it. Do your energy consuming chores during off peak times. The rate for peak hours is more expensive. You may want to consider alternative energy like solar panels or hybrid vehicles to save on gasoline. Making efforts to save energy not only saves you money, but also contributes to a healthier environment and community.

Joe Caterisano is a leading expert in savings. To learn more, visit http://Penny-Pinching.BlogSpot.com today!

Smart shoppers unit price their groceries. That means that you do the math to break down the price to how much it is per unit. Things become much clearer by the unit. You can see past gimmicks and marketing. There is a big difference between $.27 per ounce and $.35 per ounce. The choice becomes much simpler and cost effective. Store brands are often less expensive by the unit than name brands. You may have to sacrifice a little quality, but when buying the off brand instead of the name brand means a savings of $50 or more per year just for hot dog buns, it is easier to do.

Another money saver for groceries is to shop at a club where you buy in bulk. If you can find the space, buying in bulk offers a discount over buying in single. Clubs usually charge a membership fee, but most also offer rewards programs where you earn a percentage back of all that you spend. Some even guarantee that you’ll earn back what you spent on the membership. Bulk buying is also useful for sale items. Buy a whole bunch when it is on sale and you’ll never have to pay full price. And you have the added benefit of food storage for emergencies.

You can always be a coupon clipper if you want to save. Check out the ads and promotions on TV, newspapers, and mailers too. This is a great way to prepare for bulk purchases. Lastly, take note that higher priced food items usually are not the healthiest for you. Processed foods, meat, and dairy are not on the base of the food pyramid. These are also the most expensive regular purchases you make. It may be a great challenge, but changing your diet could save both your health and your pocketbook. The little things add up. Try these little changes when you shop for groceries and it will make all the difference.

Joe Caterisano is a leading expert in groceries. To learn more, visit http://Penny-Pinching.BlogSpot.com today!

Many of the things we use today are disposable. Convenience is modern. Don’t be afraid to reuse, it may be an old idea but a smart one. Wash and reuse water bottles and zipper plastic bags. Plastic cups and Styrofoam plates might be reusable too. Disposable mechanical pencils can be refilled pushing the graphite into the tip. If you think creatively, you too can come up with lots of ideas that result in double duty. The market is designed to get you to spend as much money as possible. Learn to see past the schemes, think creatively. Cheat the system and line your pocketbook with penny pinching tips.

Penny pinching tips for the kitchen start with the fact that the least expensive foods are usually better for you. Basic food items like whole grains, vegetable, and fruits are fairly inexpensive compared to the prepackaged items. Once again, you will find yourself paying for convenience. Beware of processed foods claiming to have great nutrition. Usually nutrients are added back in because the expensive processing has removed them. Be brave and make your food from fresh ingredients. It has been proven many times that those who cook spend less than those who buy prepared foods or eat out.

Using penny pinching tips in real life takes time and adjustment. It is not about convenience, but savings. You may also find that you use your time better when you are not concerned about convenience and appearance. Penny pinching is not for those who are trying to keep up with the latest trends. Trends are costly because they are ridden with advertising that tells us we must be a certain way. Removing yourself from those influences will not only improve your savings, but yourself. Go with the simple life, pinch those pennies and improve your life.

Joe Caterisano is a leading expert in tips. To learn more, visit http://Penny-Pinching.BlogSpot.com today!