For Your Information 8/18/09

Welcome to another edition of FYI!

I haven't really come up with a standard formula for FYI, rather I just offer up random info I think you will find useful in your daily lives (mostly because I have found it to be so in my life).

If you have an idea for FYI or would like your giveaway or tip to be featured here, please email me or leave a comment. Thanks!

FYI Around the Home:

• In the summer set your AC at 78. In the winter set your Heater to 68. By doing these 2 simple things you can save hundreds of dollars.

We did this all summer this year and our bill for July was literally $100 less than it was last year. And we only moved the thermostat up 4 degrees...4 degrees people!

• Use a bath mat for your small kiddos? To prevent bad odors and mildew (or worse, SLIME...ewwww!) pull it out of the tub right after bath time and hang it up on the towel rack over your tub using a coat hanger.

Not only does the mat dry out fast, but all the excess water drips into the tub and goes down the drain...so there's no mess to mop up and no kiddos slipping in an unseen puddle. (I have to give credit to my mom for this idea :-)


FYI In The Supermarket:

• Skip coupons for items you would not normally purchase. Unless the coupon is to get an item for free, there is no point.

• Coupons are supposed to save you money, not cost you money. It does not matter if you are saving 50 cents on that new dish soap if it costs more than your normal soap (or worse yet, it does not work as well or smell as good). Consider that cost is not always associated with monetary value.
  

• Consistency in your shopping list can save you A LOT of money.

• Shopping at only one store can as well. You might think you are doing great bargain hunting by hitting 5 or 6 stores for their "great deals" but how much gas did you just waste to find those bargains?

That's it for now! Have a great day!