10 Ways to Lower Your Utility Bill

10 Ways to Lower Your Utility Bill

by | Oct 31, 2016

Last year, most of us in the colder states got lucky with one of the warmest winters on record. We didn’t have to crank the heat and cheaper fuel prices staved off high utility bills. But we might not be so lucky this year.

Although no one can never truly predict the exact weather months in advance, The Farmer’s Almanac is predicting “exceptionally cold” weather for most areas of the U.S. and some pundits are predicting increased utility costs as a result. If you’re hoping heating bills don’t bite into your holiday budget or new year savings plan, read on. We reached out to energy savings experts in some of the coldest states in the U.S. to find ways to lower your utility bill.

1. Insulate Walls, Attic & Floors

In Alaska, the coldest state in the U.S., surviving the cold is a matter of life or death. Temperatures routinely plummet far below zero, and have set the country’s low temperature record of -80 degrees. (Alaska’s winters get so cold that a steaming cup of water will freeze before it hits the ground.) “Since fall is so short in Alaska, many people start thinking about their winter energy use near the end of summer,” said Michael Rovito, spokesman for Alaska Power Association/ARECA Insurance Exchange. They make insulating their homes a priority. “The first task many Alaskans think about is to make sure their insulation and weather stripping is in top condition. This helps to prevent against heat loss from the home during the long Alaska winters,” Rovito said.

According to the laws of physics, if it’s colder outside, heat will always leave your house without a proper barrier to block its departure, and “experts estimate that 40 million single-family homes in the U.S. need more insulation,” according to Black Hills Energy, which provides gas and utilities to some of the colder states, such as Wyoming, where January temperatures can hover around -5 degrees.

Insulate just about everywhere. Things like improperly installed ceiling fans, chimneys and improperly insulated ducts can whisk heat away and cost you up to 30% of your house’s heating (or cooling) energy, and a whopping 30% of your energy costs could be saved by better insulating your attic or top floor, according to Black Hills Energy. Another 20% of energy can be contained by insulating your exterior walls. And insulating the floor areas over crawl spaces, basements and garages can save another 8% if you insulate properly, according to Black Hills Energy.

2. When You’re Hiring, Get Specific

Some insulation jobs might need a professional, and if you’re choosing an insulation contractor, get a few estimates. Once you decide, make sure the contract includes the job specification, cost, method of payment and warranty information provided by the insulation material manufacturer, according to the Insulator Contractors of America. Keep in mind that some types of insulation are better for different areas of the house, and make sure that your contract lists the type of insulation to be used and where it will be used, and that each type of insulation is listed by R-value (which indicates resistance to the passage of heat).

3. Cover Windows

Heat escapes through a single pane of glass almost 14 times faster than through a well-insulated wall, according to Black Hills Energy. Other penny-pinching options if you can’t afford new windows or storm windows are plastic sheeting, a thick curtain made of thermal material and double glazing (i.e. installing another window or door to reduce the heat transfer between the windows or doors).

4. Apply for Help

If boosting your home’s energy efficiency seems like too much of a financial hurdle, the Department of Energy has a Weatherization Assistance Program which, according to its website, “provides funding to states, territories and tribal governments to improve the energy efficiency of the homes of low-income families, persons with disabilities and senior citizens.” It’s also wise to check with your utility provider since programs are also offered through many utility companies and there may be state programs to assist you as well.

5. Look for Energy-Efficient Appliances

“A furnace that is over 10 or 15 years old, may not be as efficient,” said Roger Morgenstern, spokesman for Consumers Energy of Michigan, which has several months of below-freezing temperatures. Furnaces now are 96 to 97% efficient, which means they burn fuel more effectively, he said. Also, have it inspected once per year by a licensed heating and cooling professionals. When buying appliances, seek Energy Star labels that indicate lower energy usage, and make sure your lint trap and exhaust trap are cleaned to prevent fire hazards and keep the dryer from working so hard, said Morgenstern. Also keep the dryer only 75% full so that the clothes have room to dry.

6. Consider a Programmable Furnace (or Thermostat)

Wouldn’t it be nice if your house could be toasty warm just in time for your arrival but stay cool during the day? This is another tool Alaskans use to cut their heating usage. “Many Alaskans invest in programmable furnaces so they can adjust the temperature of their home and control costs. This is helpful since it remains cold for so long that it’s important to regulate how long a household’s furnace runs,” Rovito said. Installing one before the winter could save as much as 20% on your heating costs and recover your investment in the first year, according to Consumers Energy.

7. Limit the Energy Vampires

Reducing your water heater down to 120 degrees, or turning it off when it’s not needed, can save you more than 20% on energy, according the U.S. Department of Energy. And some appliances and electronics still draw electricity when they’re not in use. Unplugging them or confining them to a power strip that you can flip on and off can help you to lower your utility bill. Also turn off lights when leaving a room, use timers on holiday lights and switch out old, fluorescent bulbs, recommended Rovito.

8. Put Weather Stripping Around Doors

If you can see daylight around your doorframe, or can feel a draft around a gap, get some weather stripping from the hardware store. “A half-inch gap around your door would be the same as a softball-sized hole in your door to let that cold air in,” Morgenstern said.

9. Know Average Local Utility Costs

Residents in some states spend more on their utilities than others, and, if you’re new to an area, or considering a new house and mortgage, it helps to know what an average utility bill will be for your source of fuel so that you can budget ahead. (You can check out our housing cost tool here for more budget planning.) It also helps to know your credit history, because some utility companies will charge you a larger down payment if your credit isn’t stellar. (You can get a snapshot of your credit report for free every 14 days on Credit.com.) People spent an average of $1,121 on their residential utility bills in frigid Alaska in 2012, according to a chart from the Department of Energy, and $918 in New York, while Hawaii spent $814 and Utah spent an average of $518.

10. Get a Budget Plan

This is a free option from your utility company that levels out your bills so that you don’t have to go into debt, overburden your credit card or become a holiday spending scrooge when you face a large utility bill. It works by mashing up your utility bills over the last year and averaging them into one consistent amount for each month. “That way, you’re not paying significantly more over the winter months and less over the summer,” said Morgenstern. If it’s a new home to you or your first year at your apartment, the average is taken from past bills at that address, but it’s reconciled and adjusted every year, said Morgenstern. 

The post 10 Ways to Lower Your Utility Bill appeared first on Credit.com.

11 Bad Habits That Are Wrecking Your Credit

11 Bad Habits That Are Wrecking Your Credit

by | Oct 20, 2016

Let’s face it, none of us are perfect — especially when it comes to money. But there may be some things you’re doing that are damaging your finances, and ultimately your credit profile, that you’re not aware of.

Take a look at these 26 habits and see if any of them apply to you. Changing your ways might help you improve your credit, ultimately giving you an easier path to getting good terms and conditions on any future loans, credit cards or lines of credit. It may be an easier adjustment than you expect.

1. Not Checking Your Mail

It may seem like a small thing to miss, but if you aren’t checking your mail on a regular basis you may not see that a bill has arrived, causing you to miss a payment. Sure, not all of your bills report your payment history to the credit bureaus (like your cellphone provider or cable bill), but if you’re late enough, the bill could end up in collections, which may appear on your credit reports. (You can see how collections and other negative items could be impacting your credit scores for free every 14 days on Credit.com.)

2. Procrastinating 

It may be easy to think “this bill isn’t due yet, so I’ll get to it later,” but doing so may not be the best route. If you forget it long enough, you may miss the payment deadline and get hit with late fees or, worse yet, send your account to collections.

3. Choosing Convenience Over Cost

Have you ever noticed how everything convenient has an added fee? Buying concert tickets online, ordering food to be delivered, sending out your laundry — it all comes with a price.

Instead of racking up convenience charges on your credit card that you really can’t afford, think about if there’s a less expensive alternative. Give up that cab ride and take public transit. Sure, you may have to adjust your plans, but your wallet will thank you, as will your credit. Racking up a lot of debt may cause you to get too close to your credit limit, which can ding your credit.

4. Ignoring Your Budget

You went through the process of creating a budget, so it’s a good idea to try following it. Sure, there are times when you might decide to splurge on something you didn’t foresee spending money on, but overall it’s a good idea to stick to your budget. This way, when it comes time to make your student loan payment or mortgage bill, you’ll be more likely to have the funds to do so. Not only will this help you get those bills paid, but it will help you maintain a healthy payment history, which will benefit your credit.

5. Smoking 

Smoking, vaping … cigarettes, cigars — whatever your vice, it’s costing you. The average pack of cigarettes in the U.S. cost $5.51 in 2015, according to Fair Reporters, so if you’re buying a carton of cigarettes on a weekly basis (typically 10 packs), you’re looking at about $55 every week, or $2,860 each year. Yes, we know this habit can be challenging to break, but think about this: By even cutting back a little, you could have extra money to put toward paying off your student loans or credit card debt, in turn helping to improve your credit scores (and your health).

6. Drinking 

Another vice that may be challenging to give up is alcohol, whether it’s that bottle of wine in your fridge or martinis at the bar by the office after a long week. But your budget may thank you if you cut back on this expense too, as tossing another drink back can potentially land you in debt if you do it enough.

7. Eating Out Every Day 

Eating out every day can be a fun social experience (and can get you away from your desk), but those mid-day meal charges add up. Try bringing lunch from home at least once a week to help you add a little wiggle room to your budget. And you can still enjoy some social time with coworkers away from your desk by enjoying your lunch together in the break room.

8. Trashing Parking Tickets

You were only there for a minute, or that meter ran out before you could get back to your car — whatever the situation, you got a parking ticket. And you don’t want to pay. But, if you choose to do that, you could ultimately end up paying more down the road, thanks to it ending up in collections.

And if you get the ticket in someone else’s vehicle (think teens driving Mom or Dad’s car) and toss the ticket, it could be damaging to the car owner’s credit. They may not even know about it until they review their credit reports and see this negative item is bringing down their scores, as it was sent to collections.

9. Going Over Your Data Allowance

If you’re going over your cellphone’s data usage, you’re going to be paying some hefty overage fees. If this becomes a habit, you’ll see your bill climb each month. And, if it reaches a number you just can’t afford, you may be looking at stalled payments. While this may not be reported immediately to a credit bureau, if you continue to miss payments, you run the risk of not only having your service shut off, but having your bills sent to collections.

To help you avoid costly overage fees, consider connecting to free Wi-Fi hotspots whenever possible— just make sure the connection is secure to help protect yourself from the risk of identity theft.

10. Maxing Out Your Credit Card

Your debt usage makes up a large percentage of your credit scores and experts recommend keeping the amount of debt you owe below at least 30%, ideally 10% of your available credit. Think of it like this: You may have a $1,000 limit, but that doesn’t mean you should spend $1,000 each month, especially if you don’t have the cash to pay off those charges in full come statement time.

11. Your Online Shopping Addiction

Some sites make it easy to get everything, from winter boots to items for your pantry, with just a few clicks and a charge to your credit card. And with that big of a selection, you’re sure to find items you never knew existed, but now that you do you just can’t live without them. But all this shopping can hurt your credit, as you run the risk of maxing out your card, which affects your debt usage — a big influencer of your credit scores.

You can check out 15 more bad habits that could be wrecking your credit in the full article on Credit.com.

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6 Ways to Get Paid What You’re Worth

6 Ways to Get Paid What You’re Worth

by | Oct 18, 2016

Although your networth isn’t a factor in credit scoring, it does influence your ability to purchase necessities, pay bills and keep your accounts current. So how do you get paid what you are worth?

For some professionals, the topic of salary can be more uncomfortable than the interview itself. A Salary.com survey revealed that 18% of job candidates don’t negotiate annual compensation at all, sacrificing the potential for greater earnings and career satisfaction. While there are limits to every job offer, there are a few strategies that could help you in the negotiation process.

1. Improve Your Resume

Learning what skills employers in your industry are looking for is one of the first steps toward earning higher pay. Review open positions online and create a list of common requirements. Research desirable credentials and think about highlighting the skills you have that meet these requirements. You might even consider earning a higher degree or certification to solidify your skills.

2. Avoid Specific Salary Requirements

Do your best to resist the urge to list a specific figure requirement on an application unless pressed. If you must, you might want to write “competitive” or “negotiable” to keep the conversation open. Disclosing your salary history can also lead to fewer bargaining options. In fact, earlier this year, Massachusetts passed state legislation prohibiting employers from considering past salaries in their hiring practices. It’s a good idea to discuss your workplace merits and skills before discussing money.

3. Consider Your Local Market Value

Location is a vital component of earning potential. According to Glassdoor.com, the average salary for a senior-level mechanical engineer in Chicago is $85,601, while the same position in Seattle yields $134,127. Consider cost of living and your own market value during the negotiation process. Your research will help you set realistic expectations.

4. Prepare a Counter-Offer

It’s a good idea to assess your worth and have an amount in mind that you can use for a counter-offer if you don’t like the first offer a company gives you. Make sure you consider base salary, benefits, signing bonuses, vacation time and other perks. It’s a good idea to make the counter-offer higher than what you’d settle for to give you negotiation room. Mutual flexibility is key here.

5. Share Your Ideas

An effective way to demonstrate value is to come prepared with ideas to help productivity. Research the company’s work and create a list of tasks you would like to complete if hired for the role. Early initiative shows enthusiasm and creativity, two qualities worth consideration during salary discussions.

6. Avoid Limiting Your Job Search

Salary negotiation is easier with a little competition. Pursue multiple job openings with the hope of securing more than one offer. It may be helpful to use competing salaries as leverage to land the position you prefer.

Preparing in Every Way

Many employers look at a version of your credit reports as part of the application process. It may not have a direct impact on your salary, but it’s still a good idea to know where your credit stands so you go into every interview as prepared as possible (which will likely only boost your value to your potential employer). You can see where your credit currently stands by taking a look at a free snapshot of your credit report, updated every 14 days, on Credit.com.

More from Credit.com

This article originally appeared on Credit.com.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month Companies with Heart

Breast Cancer Awareness Month Companies with Heart

by | Oct 4, 2016

This month, as you probably know, is Breast Cancer Awareness month. I have family and friends who have been diagnosed with breast and other types of cancer so I feel the pain with each new case.

The statistics are pretty grim but education and prevention (as much as we know to do) is on the rise. In the meantime, there are a few companies that, because a loved one has been affected by Breast Cancer, are sounding the alarm and getting behind this cause so more women get treatment and all women are educated.

Companies with Heart

Here are a few companies with heart that are donating a part of their profits to Breast Cancer research and awareness:Breast-cancer-awareness-companies-with- heart-megabus

Megabus – They are donating $1 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) for every ticket sold on October 18, as well as $1 for every use of #megabusGoesPink during the month of October. They even wrapped a few of their buses to show their support

Valvoline – They are selling pink winBreast-cancer-awareness-companies-with- heart-valvoline pink wipersdshield wipers and all the proceeds go to breast cancer research and awareness. What woman or girl doesn’t love pink! The wipers are available at over 210 participating Valvoline Instant Oil Change locations in 12 states. To get more information and find a location go to www.viocPINK.com.

Fashion to Figure – They are donating to breast cancer awareness for every Breast-cancer-awareness-companies-with- heart-fashion to figureInstagram survivor story post they are tagged in. #ftfcares

Staples – This office supply company is offering 40% off Breast Cancer awareness products

Mixed Chicks – They are donating $1 for every sale of their leave-in conditioner

Breast-cancer-awareness-companies-with- heart-kindnotesKindNotes – They are donating 20% of all the sales of the KindNotes Pink Ribbon jar which contains 31 messages of words of inspiration and encouragement.

IPops – The Pink Ribbon from IPops is a new way to Breast-cancer-awareness-companies-with- heart-ipopsshow your support for the fight against Breast Cancer! When you purchase the Pink Ribbon from IPops, they offer a 10% donation!

Breast-cancer-awareness-companies-with- heart-game day leggingsGame Day Leggings – Created BFF’s leggings to raise awareness for Breast Cancer. They will donate $4.00 for every pair sold of these lightweight, comfortable leggings.Breast-cancer-awareness-companies-with- heart-ameribag baglet

Ameribag – Partial proceeds are donated from the sale of the Ameribag Baglet
to Breast Cancer Options as a continued give back for the support during Executive VP/Co-founder, Margery Gaffin’s treatment.

Angelo Roi Handbags – The super cute ‘Sunday Mini Pink Limited Edition’ bag designer will donate 50% of every sale will proceed as donations to their partner charity organisation “Living Beyond Breast Cancer” .

Breast-cancer-awareness-companies-with- heart-angela roi bag

Travalo – They will donate 25% of all pink model sales of the Excel, Classic HD and Milano models to BrightPink. BrightPink is the only national non-profit organization focused on prevention and early detection of breast and ovarian cancer in young women.

Breast-cancer-awareness-companies-with- heart-travalo lipstick

Case Station – They are donating proceeds from the Breast-cancer-awareness-companies-with- heart-casestationbcasales on their special artist commissioned phone
cases to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, a nonprofit committed to achieving prevention and a cure!

I wrote this post to make you aware of a few companies (out of hundreds) who are donating to breast cancer research and awareness.

Be sure to get checked and make sure your ta-tas are health and happy!