4 Easy Ways to Squeeze $10 Out of Your House

Taking great care of your home isn’t cheap. Whether your abode is brand new, or it was built when disco still ruled, there are always some routine maintenance tasks and repairs to deal with, and they usually can’t be done for free.

Eventually your to-do list may start to feel like more of a cash drain than anything else.

So, we say it’s time to turn the tables on the owner-house relationship! Here are four easy ways squeeze $10 (or more!) out of your house.

Identify Energy Hogs 

It may surprise you to learn where your energy is being sent! Save 10 percent on your energy bill each month by targeting home energy hogs and unplugging them when they’re idle.

Focus on appliances like phone chargers, notebook computers and your fax machine, which consume large amounts of unnecessary energy as a whole.

Tip: To make unplugging appliances easier, consider using a power strip to easily turn off a bunch of things all at once.

Make DIY Cleaners

How many household cleaners do you have under your sink? We bet there are at least three: one for countertops, one for mirrors and maybe one for your floor. Instead of buying these costly, chemical-based cleaners every month, make your own instead!

With a few common, non-toxic kitchen products like baking soda and vinegar, you can clean your entire house!

Lower Your Water Temperature

You can reduce your water heating costs by simply lowering the thermostat temperature on your water heater. For each 10 degree F reduction in water temperature, you can save 5 percent in energy costs!

It turns out that most water heaters are unnecessarily set to 140 degrees F by installers, while most households only require a water setting of 120 degrees F.

Bonus: Reducing your water temperature also slows mineral buildup and corrosion in your water heater and pipes, which helps your water heater last longer and operate at its maximum efficiency.

Brew, Don’t Buy

Coffee is important, but let’s face it — it’s also expensive. While we won’t ask you to give up your morning cup of joe, instead of buying it at the corner coffee shop, make it yourself!

The average American spends over $1,000 annually for their daily jolt. By brewing your coffee at home and having a reusable coffee mug on the go, you can save up to $100 per month (depending on how often you were hitting up Starbucks).

To get the most out of your home brew, read: Clean Your Coffee Maker.

BrightNest is a free site that provides tools and tips to homeowners to help them save money, get organized and keep their home in great shape.