11 Ways to Save Time and Money at Home

     There are many ways to cut down on energy costs and go green around the house. Here are a few tips to get you started with self-sufficiency:

     – Run out of trash bags. If you run out of trash bags, you’ll quickly start to use dishrags instead of paper towels and tupperware instead of zip loc bags. The point is, you get to see what you’re unnecessarily wasting versus how you can be self-sufficient.

     – Self-sufficiency is green. Anytime you can use something that prevents you from throwing something into the trash can or running to the store, you’re more than likely being green – even if you don’t realize it.

     – Going green is cheap. Becoming self-sufficient in small ways has big payouts down the line. Imagine if you don’t buy paper towels, plastic wrap or sandwich bags any more. Multiply those costs times a few years and the savings are surprising.

     – Open your blinds/curtains every morning. Letting in natural light prevents you from needing to turn lights on in the house, which saves money on your electricity bill.

     – Open your windows. Let cross-ventilation cool your home on fall and spring days when the temperature is right – not running your A/C unit will save you money.

     – Do your chores in the morning and evening. Washing dishes, doing laundry and taking baths in the AM and PM reduces your energy cost. Peak energy times are generally in the afternoon.

     – Eat leftovers. Don’t cook more food if there’s food in the fridge. This cuts down not only on energy costs but on your grocery bill, too.

     – Compost. If you have a garden, try composting your biodegradable trash items such as banana peels, leftover vegetables, egg shells and coffee grounds.

     – Recycle. Check to see if your waste management company offers a recycling program. Most programs will bring you a recycling bin. They’ll give you instructions on what to recycle and when to leave it at the curb or bring it to the recycling drop-off.

     – Use cloth napkins. Instead of paper napkins, try cloth. They can be washed with your regular laundry, in most cases, and cloth saves money over paper every time.

     – Think outside of the box. Take an inventory of the way you do things in your home. How can you make your housekeeping routine more efficient? Make a schedule if needed. Can you do anything better? Efficiency not only saves energy, it saves time.

     Come up with your own ways to save energy around the house. The little things truly add up! You can save time and energy by becoming more self-sufficient.

     Also, get more ideas about homemaking from Lab Rat Mama >>>

     Until next time, live.laugh.love.