Little Ways To Save Big

1. INSTEAD OF WASTING paper towels, use old  newspapers to clean windows for a streak-free shine.
2. GET A CLOTHESLINE  and lay off the clothes dryer.  Not only is it a big energy drain, it can also suck heated  air out of your house in the winter. Air drying clothes as much as possible is easier on your attire and costs nothing.
3. REQUEST A DISCOUNT on trash service. Few realize that it’s a highly competitive business. If you get a better offer in the mail from another company, call your current trash collector and ask them to beat the offer.
4. USE DISTILLED WHITE VINEGAR  to clean work surfaces in the kitchen. It’s just as effective as storebought brands but less expensive. Plus, vinegar is nontoxic, antibacterial and natural.
5. INSTALL FLOW-RESTRICTING  shower heads in every bathroom. These can save a family of four 8,000 to 12,000 gallons of water a year, which will cut down on the cost of the water and the cost of heating it.
6. MAKE A HABIT of bringing your lunch to work. The average annual cost of eating out every workday is about $2000 per year! But taking your lunch just two to three days a week will save you anywhere from $600 to $1,000 per year.
7. GET A REWARDS CARD Most of them pay out in cash or points that can be redeemed for store credit or other products. Numerous grocery stores and pharmacies offer them for free.
   
8. FIX RUNNING TOILETS  and leaky faucets, which can use more than 8,000 gallons of water per year and add $100 or more to your water bill.
9. COMBINE your cable, Internet and telephone services. Various companies now offer combined packages that not only cost less, but offer the convenience of a single bill. Also stick to basic phone service. Unnecessary add-ons like call waiting and call forwarding can almost double your monthly phone bill.
10. UNPLUG ALL household chargers when not using. Chargers for your cell phone, laptop and other electronics continue to draw electricity, even when they aren’t charging anything.  Additionally, unplug clocks, appliances, night lights, etc., if you’ll be away from home more than several days in a row. The little digital clock on your coffee maker even uses up a notable amount of energy if it’s plugged in year-round. Americans waste billions of dollars every year this way, but you can save up to eight percent on your annual electric bill just by unplugging your electronics and chargers when not in use.