March's Tips
Sick of those mid-dinner solicitor phone calls? Stop them cold by contacting the National Do Not Call Registry at (888) 382-1222.
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Having your thermostat in the right spot can make a world of difference in your heating and cooling costs. Be sure it is located on an inside wall away from drafty doors and windows.
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When comparison shopping, check the unit pricing on grocery shelves. Despite the hype, you'll find that buying economy and family sizes aren't always a better deal.
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Watch out for Web sites, such as FreeCreditReport.com, which promise a free copy of your credit report, only to charge you for credit protection services. Instead, use AnnualCreditReport.com, where you're entitled by law to receive one free report per year from each credit reporting agency. Additional credit protection services are offered there, too, so be sure to opt out.
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We've only got a few months left where we need to crank the heater. But until springtime rolls around, make sure furnace filters are cleaned or replaced monthly. Clogged filters mean higher heating bills.
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Beware of low-interest and no-interest offers on big ticket items. One missed payment can mean skyrocketing interest and fees, eliminating any savings garnered with the original interest-free offer.
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Think you've found the deal of the century? Grab your cell phone and do a quick price comparison at (888) Do-Frucall. Enter the item's barcode number when prompted and Frucall will check for better prices elsewhere.
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To get your hands on the best goods at thrift stores, talk to employees to find out when new shipments come in. That way, you can swoop in for the best finds.
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Think you're getting more for your money by cramming as many clothes into the laundry as possible? You're not doing yourself any favors. Oversized loads mean the dryer has to work harder and longer. Clothes come out wrinkled, too.
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Got squeaky hardwood floors? Sprinkle some baby powder between the floorboards.
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Make sure baby hand-me-downs are up to safety codes. For example, cribs made before the year 2000 were not tested against the most updated safety standards.
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Need more traction on concrete stairs? Give them a new paint job with a handful of sand sprinkled into the mix.
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Automotive towels work great in place of kitchen towels. They last forever and cost much less than "real" towels.
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Sometimes bulk purchases don't make sense for singles or small families. If you'd like to reap the same benefits without having to stock up, split club membership charges with a friend, then chip in and split up club pack purchases. You'll get great deals on things you use all the time, such as soap and toothpaste.
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Got a cat scratching up your furniture? Don't bother with a fancy scratching post. Pick up a couple of carpet samples and let him go to town.
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When shopping online, be sure the site you're purchasing from is secure. Secure Web sites begin with the letters "https." That little "s" at the end makes a world of difference in the safety of your private financial information.
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Want to decrease hot water use by up to 50 percent? Install a high-efficiency shower head. You'll use less water, too.
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