Cold Weather Cost Cuts

Last week we started a series on cutting costs in other areas of your budget in order to redirect funds toward your mortgage to help stop your eviction. As mid-October and the beginning of the cold season draws near today is the perfect time to think about cold weather cost cutting.

One of the biggest money eaters during the winter months is often the utility bill. Cold weather arrives, and the furnace turns on. What can you do to cut costs?

Heating Efficiently

As the cold weather approaches, having a tune up on your furnace may be a cost you’d rather not think about. But, it’s worth checking how long it has been since your furnace has been cleaned. Older houses are often especially bad about having junk built up in the furnace or vents. Sometimes former occupants have had children that have pushed things into the vent system, blocking airflow. The last thing you want is for your furnace to be working extra hard to get past a barrier that shouldn’t be there in the first place. Consider having a professional come give your furnace a cleaning. In addition, some states now offer incentives and financial help if you are interested in installing a more energy efficient furnace.

Heating Effectively

Your furnace does you very little good if your windows or outside doors are left open. As that warm air flows out of your air vents, or that hot water trickles through your radiator, money is flowing out of your pocket and into the utility company. Do your best to seal that hot air into the house. You’d be surprised by how much savings can be accomplished by simply buying and installing a window insulator kit. Many air leaks happen around your window frames, and even the best glass falls woefully short of the insulation of a wall.

A second area to check for insulation is your attic (provided your home has one). Heat floats to the top, and if the roof is not well insulated, then your hot air is floating right out into the winter weather.

In order to redirect your budget to avoid an eviction, cutting costs is a must. Next week we’ll continue to look at ways you can save in one area, to avoid an eviction.

Interested in more? Read Keisha Joseph's book!