The Urban Institute released a report on projected homeownership rates for the next twenty years. Experts project a drop from 65% in 2020 to 62% in 2040.
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With a checking account, you get a debit card to spend your cash nearly anywhere you wish. But many people can’t qualify for bank checking accounts, and in a world where card transactions are increasingly common, that’s a problem. This … Continue reading →
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Weâre not going to lieâ2020 was a tough year for everyone. Between COVID-19 and pandemic-driven layoffs, weâre all ready to move on from last year. So, what are your new yearâs credit resolutions for 2021? Do you want to improve your credit score, pay your bills on time or create a savings plan? If you havenât thought… Read More
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Is taking money from your 401(k) plan a good idea? Generally speaking, the common advice for raiding your 401(k) is to only take this step if you absolutely have to. After all, your retirement funds are meant to grow and flourish until you reach retirement age and actually need them. If you take money from […]
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The traditional emergency fund is 3-6 months of expenses. Most people donât have it and some have way more. The one thing most people can agree on is that they have no idea what their 3-6 months of expenses should…
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How to Get Your Free FICO Score Do you want access to the same FICO credit score information lenders, landlords and even employers use to evaluate you? Good news, now you can get that information for free. Thatâs right, FICO credit scores are now available for free. You just have to know where to look […]
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Sometimes the best motivator is a hug, and sometimes it’s a swift kick in the butt from some cold hard truth! Here are the best debt free quotes to do just that! I love a good underdog story! Seriously, I love it when a person is down on their luck, and they spend all their […]
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The post 50+ of the Best Debt Free Quotes to Motivate You to Finally Dump Your Debt appeared first on Money for the Mamas.
It’s not all bad news for savers in a lower interest rate environment. Here’s why.*
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Bruce Lubin is the co-author of the best-selling Who Knew? series of household hints books, with his wife Jeanne. They’ve written more than a dozen books that have sold more than 5 million copies.
You may have seen Bruce sharing his clever and money-saving tips on national TV, like the Today Show and the Hallmark Channel. Now, Bruce and Jeanne are also hosting a brand new podcast on the Quick and Dirty Tips network, which goes by the same name—Who Knew?.
[Listen to the interview using the audio player in the upper right sidebar of this page or on iTunes, Stitcher, and Spotify; for Spotify, just search the app for "Money Girl."]
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Some of the cool tips Bruce and I talk about in this interview include:
See also: How to Save Money on Your Electricity Bill
No matter if you own a large house or rent a cozy apartment, this interview will help you cut the cost of energy and water and save money on your utility bills. Here are a few great tips from our interview:
With today’s high efficiency dishwashers and washing machines, the expense is really heating the water. So wash everything as cold as you can.
Q: What are the appliances that suck the most energy? What are some tips to use less energy with them?
Bruce: Dishwashers, but it’s really the dry cycle, which uses steam. De-select the Dry Cycle, or, if you have an older dishwasher, just open the door at the beginning of the dry cycle.
Dryers too—use a large towel to reduce drying time. Check your dryer’s screen: the lint from the screen in your dryer may not be enough to make sure it is running as efficiently as possible. The fabric softener used in dryer sheets can get caught in the mesh, even if you can’t see it. To be sure you’re completely cleaning the screen, remove it and clean it with warm, soapy water and a brush. Leave it out to dry completely before placing back in your dryer.
Q: What about saving water?
Bruce: Back to dishwashers—you should actually wash pots and pans by hand (usually)—you save up so much room and you don’t have to do Pots ‘n’ Pans mode.
With today’s high efficiency dishwashers and washing machines, the expense is really heating the water. So wash everything as cold as you can. You also may want to lower the temp you keep your hot water heater at. We recommend 120º F, which is plenty hot, even though many water heaters come set at 140º.
Other than that, low-flow showerheads and other faucets are a must! Definitely worth the price. Just ask at the hardware store.
Q: What about teenagers taking long showers?
Bruce: Give teens an incentive to take shorter showers—5 minutes added to their curfew for every 1 minute they shave of their shower time. (Or 5 minutes more of time with their phone at the end of the night, etc.)
Q: What about tips for saving money on air conditioning?
Bruce: Keep blinds closed during the day – people probably know that! But also, close all closet doors, and seal off rooms you aren’t using. Use duct tape if your vents don’t close. And, make sure your windows and doors seal properly—that can save you big.
Q: Any other tips for saving energy?
Bruce: Believe it or not, MOST electric companies charge you more for electricity during peak times, which are usually between 4 and 8pm. Google the name of your electric company and “peak pricing” to see if yours does. If possible, keep your AC off during these times, and do more laundry and other electricity-intensive tasks during non-peak times.
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