Thoughtful Savings from CouponClock.com

Good for the planet, good for your budget!

While the depletion of natural resources continues to leave us with fewer sustainable options where energy is concerned, there are ways every person can reduce their energy and water consumption, not only for the benefit of the planet as a whole, but for his or her own financial benefit. There are plenty of simple, obvious ways to reduce your power usage, such as being sure to turn off lights, computers, and televisions in unoccupied rooms and turning the heat or air conditioning to a lower setting while your dwelling is unoccupied. Some of the more creative ways to save on utility bills may involve a little bit of planning and a lot of awareness as to how you use power and water.

The Savings Plan

One of the first steps in planning to reduce your energy consumption is to consider heating and cooling. One of the best ways to save on cooling during the summer, particularly if you live in a humid area, is to invest in a dehumidifier. While it may seem counter-intuitive to buy an appliance that uses electricity to save on electricity, your home will feel cooler and less stuffy even if you set your air conditioner to a higher temperature than you normally would. It generally costs less to run a dehumidifier than it does to set your AC to a lower temperature, and dehumidifiers have the added benefit of reducing mold and mildew in your home. If you have the option, plant trees around your house. The shade will keep your home a lot cooler. Continue reading →

Find creative ways to save on furniture and decor!

First and foremost, make sure you know what the ground-rules and limits are when it comes to decorating your new place. Find out what the landlord or management’s policies are on repainting walls, putting in picture nails, drapes, and things visible from the windows.

Chances are, if you’re a first-time renter, you probably don’t have a ton of money to spend on buying brand new furniture or art. While many might be tempted to buy new things by using credit cards or taking out loans, this can take years to pay off and cause a lot of financial hardships down the road. The best option is to start out with more affordable furniture that isn’t necessarily as nice as you’d like. You can start gradually replacing the cheaper things piece by piece when you can afford it instead of spending a ton of money all at once that you don’t have. Continue reading →

Buying new razors or good quality multi-blade cartridges can be a huge part of your grooming budget.   Some disposable cartridges can cost almost $3 each and seem to only last a handful of shaves before your face (or legs) start getting hacked up.   Here are four shaving alternatives.

The Straight Razor or Open Razor
Few things are more gentlemanly than a good quality open razor.  This is a frightening looking device that gives you the absolute best shave if its being wielded by careful and experienced hands.   Getting into a good straight razor setup is going to cost you about $75-$100 but your cost per shave is minimal over time.  The only thing you need to replace is the quality shaving cream. Continue reading →