Giving up your Starbucks fix for a couple of days at a time or cutting coupons every once in a while can help you save a few bucks, but if you are looking to save cash long-term, you need to modify your lifestyle. The following are changes that can be made over time to significantly reduce the amount of money that is extracted from your household budget each year: Energy efficiency: You can save significant amount money by being energy efficient at home. Switch to energy-efficient appliances and lighting. In addition, make sure your home is properly insulated and that … Continue reading →

Not for nothing, but I just can’t see making my own laundry detergent for the rest of my life, regardless of how much money it could potentially save me. This is not to say that I look down on those who do. In fact, I admire individuals who possess the wherewithal to combine different ingredients and magically mix-up a concoction that actually gets clothes clean. What’s more, I am not above finding alternative ways to sanitize my home without breaking the bank. For example, rather than use Clorox to disinfect my kitchen sink and counters, I use vinegar, water and … Continue reading →

If you are anything like me, for much of my life I thought that if you were going to buy something and there is a price listed on the item then that was the price that you had to pay. When I started working in the hospitality industry a few years ago, I realized that the listed price is not always what every customer pays. As part of my job working at the front desk of a nice country inn, I was given the authority to bargain with people that came in off of the road looking for a room … Continue reading →