saving money

Promote energy efficiency and save money

One of the ways people can save today is by cutting on electricity bills in the home. By doing this, you not only save money but you’re making house energy efficient as well. The end result is you contribute to the preservation of the environment which is highly important these days.

The financial comparison site, Money Supermarket reports that the energy bills of the average home have doubled since seven years ago in 2013. Additionally, Of gem has predicted that many homes are likely to face very high electricity bills that they can no longer afford to pay on a regular basis.

With so many tools and gadgets that help people cut energy costs, there’s no reason why households can’t achieve a lower power bill each month going forward. You will be surprised to gain hundreds of dollars in savings if you’re only consistent in your efforts. It’s just a matter of looking into the different aspects of your home which can be made more energy efficient not only temporarily but for the long term.

For instance, the heating and cooling system in your home is one important component that you can look into. Check that your home is well sealed and is properly insulated so that the system can be used in the most efficient way possible. Make sure as well that all electrical appliances are unplugged when not in use to avoid continuous energy consumption. You should be aware that an appliance that remains plugged into the socket although switched off continues to eat up electricity. In other words, from now on, it would be to your advantage to avoid putting your television units and computers on standby.

Take advantage of the freebies or other incentives being offered by providers. They can be products, vouchers or rebates that are worth appreciating. These are available when you change providers. But a word of caution, though. Please do your research first before making the move to ensure that you’re getting the best deals around. Always do a comparison first to avoid any regrets later on.

Also, you may want to check if your electricity meters are regularly read. Meter reading has to be regularly done and providers should not just rely on estimation when making your bills as this can actually lead to higher bills. You need to verify then by comparing your previous bill to the new one and consulting your provider as soon as you observe a huge difference. Another option is to submit your own meter readings in order to avail of a refund later.

Finally, you may want to avail of the short term payday and cash advance loans while you’re still in the process of paying up your huge electricity bills and doing some fixes in your home that will ensure energy efficiency of your important appliances. These are more affordable loans with easy repayment schedules which employed people can take advantage for emergency situations. Electricity bills need to paid right away otherwise, your supply will be cut off so if you may need some instant cash, these payday and cash advance loans can help you greatly.

Which to prioritize – saving money or paying debt?

It’s not always that people have enough money to spend for their daily needs. This is true even for men and women whether single or married who are earning a living. Sometimes, the monthly income one receives from his or her work is just not enough to make both ends meet.

What happens often is that borrowing money and availing of credit becomes a necessity. Sadly, this habit is also a major contributor to people’s going into debt. When loans and credit card bills are not paid on time, this can lead to a higher balance already difficult to pay and eventually debt when not settled immediately.

Research by the Office of Fair Trading revealed that in the USA, one in three people are pressured to avail of credit when presented to them and one in five sign credit agreements which they actually regret. It’s been found as well that majority of consumers don’t always read the terms and conditions when signing credit agreements.
saving money or paying debt
With this kind of financial situation facing them, borrowers eventually get confused about their priorities by the time they have enough money. Those who are eager to save money for their future and those who want to pay their debts right away often ask a common question about which they should give utmost attention.

Many people in the USA today are overpaying for their loans. According to an analysis by Mark Vern, this has put the overspend on debt amounting to as much as 35 million sterling dollars each year. These usually come from personal unsecured loans including payday and cash advance, credit cards and mortgages which otherwise could already have allowed each household to save some 2,700 dollars.

The firm further pointed out that consumers could have saved much if only they were better educated about the loans and other forms of credit they availed of from various providers. For instance, those who took out loans on variable interest rates can actually move to the fixed and discount rates to enjoy savings. For people fond of using the credit card, instead of going for the plastic that charges from 10 to 16 percent interest rates on outstanding balances, they can move to one that charges zero rates. For the unsecured personal loans, a better way to save money is to transact with online providers rather than the traditional firms. By choosing short term lenders that do business on the internet, applying for loans and getting approval is faster and easier these days.

Financial experts strongly believe that people are better off paying their debts for now. This should be their priority above anything else if they want to lead a worry free life in the long run. This is also due to the fact that outstanding debts can easily accumulate interest over time which could make it difficult for average income earners to pay if they continue to ignore them. Another major reason is that savings earn little interest at this point in time especially with banks offering very low rates that are not attractive at all. With savings rates ranging from only four to five percent a year offered on 100 dollars, for instance, many people would think twice about putting their money in a bank.