Four Money Saving Tools for Summer
April 10, 2009 by Jennifer Chait
Filed under Seasonal Savings
It’s still spring, but summer is going to be here before you know it. Gather some easy tools that allow you to save money all summer long…
String and clothespins: I hang most of my clothes up to dry year round to save money, save energy, and to make my clothes last longer. However, if you’ve never hung your laundry up to dry, summer is a great time to try it out. A set of clothespins and some string is super cheap and you can hang the string anywhere between two points. Tip for apartment dwellers - hang your clothes right on the hangers on the shower rod.
Air conditioner filters: Air conditioner filters are super inexpensive but save you a lot on your energy bills during the summer. When your filters are full of gunk they don’t work as well and that means your air conditioner has to work harder overall which in turn raises your cooling costs.
Ice pop molds: Making homemade ice pops saves you money because they eliminate expensive boxed ice treats, reduces your gas use (no more frequent trips to the store), and it allows you to use up leftover foods in creative ways. Besides that, homemade ice pops save resources – there’s no excess packaging and your trash can doesn’t fill up with lame plastic ice pop wrappers. To save the most, buy ice pop molds that come with holders vs. ice pop molds that require wooden sticks.
Solar cooker: Solar cookers cook with the sun, kids think they’re way entertaining, and your house will stay cooler because you don’t need to turn the oven on, so of course a solar cooker will lower your energy bills too. You can buy a solar cooker or easily build your own. If you’ve never used a solar cooker, you’d be surprised at all the great recipes you can make with one. IF a solar cooker is not for you, try an inexpensive barbecue. No matter how you do it, cooking outdoors saves you money because it lowers your energy costs.
[image via stock.xchng]
I am trying to go green more and more. I do do the clothesline, but it gets to be much hanging clothes for seven people.
I am trying to go green more and more. I do do the clothesline, but it gets to be much hanging clothes for seven people.
Oops…forgot to say great post! Looking forward to your next one.
Yeah, hanging for 7 is hard I bet! I’ve just me and my son, so I’m lucky. Plus I cheat. I use hangers not clothespins. Right from the wash to the closets. Way easier!