If you find that you have more debt than you can manage and are trying to reduce your monthly expenses to help pay down credit card debt, consider our tips on how to save on electricity.
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Use your budget to find a way to reduce common household expenses, including utilities as one of your essential line items. If you don’t have a budget already, you should create one as soon as possible. Keep in mind that while the non-essential bills may be easiest to cut back on, you can also find ways to cut back on essential line items such as utilities/electricity.
10 Ways to Save on Electricity
Get creative when finding ways to save on your electricity bill. Find what works best for you and your financial situation to best save money to pay off debt. These 10 options may help you get started:
- Unplug electronics when not in use, including chargers. Even if they are turned off, TVs, computer monitors, etc. still use electricity as do phone and tablet chargers.
- Use energy efficient light bulbs. The type of light bulb you use matters when it comes to saving money on electricity. LEDs are usually more efficient. You may benefit from motion sensor or light sensor outdoor lights. Do your research and choose wisely.
- Regardless of the type of bulb you choose, turn off all lights when you leave the room. Simple but effective in saving money on electricity. If you prefer to have some light in a room or hallway, consider using a nightlight that uses less electricity.
- Program your thermostat to only heat or cool when you need it. Set your thermostat to use less energy while you’re away whether you’re going to work or are on vacation.
- Close up leaks in your house that could be allowing AC or heat to escape. Make sure windows and doors are tight. Use curtains or window insulation kits to cover your windows in the winter.
- Install energy efficient appliances to save energy in your day-to-day life.
- Repair electrical issues in your home. Not only can this help keep you and your family safe but it can also allow your electronics to run more smoothly, using less energy.
- Lower the temperature on your water heater. The less your water heater needs to work when heating water, the more money you’ll save.
- Use cold water, if possible, while doing laundry. Even if you have an energy efficient washer, using cold water can help save electricity even further.
- Use power strips to easily turn off multiple electronics at one time. If you make it easier to turn off electronics, you will be more likely to actually do it.
Pay off Debt by Spending Less on Essential Expenses
It can be harder to cut back on essential expenses but it’s not impossible to do so while still staying within your needs. The extra funds that may come from cutting back on essentials such as electricity could potentially help you get out of your credit card debt.
Reducing your electricity bill may also keep you from using credit when you get an unexpected bill, because you will have more cash on hand from paying less toward electricity.
If cutting back on electricity isn’t enough for you to escape debt, ClearOne Advantage can help! Our Certified Debt Specialists are standing by to help you explore your debt relief options and work out a solution customized just for you. Call 866-481-1597 to speak to a Certified Debt Specialist today and get a free savings estimate.
