Archive for the ‘ household savings ’ Category

Homemade mosquito (mossie) spray to save money

Why buy expenisve mossie spray when you can make it yourself very cheaply. I make may own homemade mosquito repellant and it keeps the mossies, sand flies, and flies away.

I am one of those people that always get bitten by insects, when everyone else can’t feel a thing. Here I am scratching and slapping myself while other people are just standing there watching.

I seriously thought that this homemade recipe for mosquito spray would not work…But I am telling you that it really works.

Here is the recipe for the homemade mosquito spray:

  1. 1 part Dettol
  2. 3 parts Baby oil

Shake the bottle and away you go. I usually put mine in an empty pump spray bottle. Actualy an old aeroguard one. This stuff goes a long way too. It seems to last forever.

I will never go back to paying $5 or more for a chemical ridden can of mossie spray.

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Tips for Saving Thousands on Your Home Loan

Homes are essential for everyone nowadays. Therefore there is an increase in the demands for home loans all through out the world. If you really want to save thousands on to your home loans then pay heed to the following tips:

Interest Rate!

The rates of interest will decide the life time payment amount. With any type of long term procedure, the interest rates are always transferable. It is better to receive quotes from many lenders and then make comparisons in their rate of interests. Inform the lender that you have found a better deal somewhere else, then see whether that lender can provide better facilities with lower rates to you. There is no harm in asking.

Extra Payments!

One excellent way to save your money on the mortgage loan is by finding out what the minimum amount is you are required to pay. Then always pay more if you can afford it..Make that your goal to stay ahead of the game. If your interest rate changes then make sure you are aware of your minimum payment again.

 Installments!

In spite of paying for the monthly payments, it is advised to make payments after every two weeks because this way you are saving great money.  Of course if you can pay weekly, this is even better. The  sooner you pay back the loan, the less you will have to pay in the form of interest.  Always check out that your home loan contract to be sure that they do not charge for making extra payments or even paying out the loan amount earlier.

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8 Tips to Save Money on your Christmas Gifts!

We all like to spend money on our friends and family at Christmas time and there are few things as satisfying as being able to buy and give a gift you just know the recipient will love. However, if you need to tighten your belt a little this year in the Christmas gift department, or you’re just looking to curb your consumerism here are a few tips to help you save on Christmas gifts.

1. Make a list, and check it twice

Obvious? Yes. Predictable? Yes. Pointless? No. Making a list of the people you need to buy gifts for, and working out what you are going to get them before you leave the house means you are less likely to overspend on a person. How many times have you gotten carried away collecting the perfect gifts for your sister, only to realise your brother’s present now looks too small and you need to spend even more on him now too?!

2. Make a budget and stick to it

This should be done when you make your gift list because it allows you to see just how much you are spending on the festive season and chances are you’ll be inspired to curb your spending and set a limit. Setting a limit also stops you from over spending because when you reach the budgeted price ceiling, you know you need to stop shopping. If you are struggling for csah and are going to use your credit card, consider applying for a 0% purchases card before you spend. Its going to save you some serious interest.

3. Do not wait the last minute

Shopping earlier than December can save you money on your Christmas gifts. Firstly, there is more demand for all kinds of gifts and their prices increase and their availability decreases leading shop assistants to say things like ‘I can get it in before Christmas but you’ll have to pay the extra rushed shipping costs…’ Secondly, shopping in the Christmas rush is expensive for parking, petrol and incidentals like coffee and lunch breaks in your shopping marathon, but if you pace yourself, you can save on your entire gift buying experience.

4. Shop for Christmas bonuses

If you are shopping in the Christmas rush you can still save on gifts by seeking out those great seasonal bonuses. Around Christmas time many retailers will package up products and gifts to offer gifts with purchase. While you may be tempted to boost the original recipient’s gift, you can instead use this gift with purchase as a gift for someone else on your list.

5. Make and bake

Making gifts is a sure fire way to save money so if you are handy with a sewing machine why not whip up some Christmas stockings for your nieces and nephews, or if you want to give out hampers, bake the cookies and make the jam yourself, there are hundreds and thousands of free festive recipes online.

6. Secret Santa gifts

Instead of buying gifts for all of your friends and family, why not set up a Secret Santa draw within your gift buying groups. This is as simple as putting everyone’s names in a hat, and each person draws out one name, and buys one gift, with a budget set for the gifts by the group.

7. Shop online

This is another way to save on the parking, petrol and snack costs of Christmas gift buying because you don’t have to leave the house. Plus, you can often find the same products from the stores in the mall, in online stores for much cheaper because online stores have lower overheads and staffing costs – savings they can pass onto you.

8. To wrap up…

Skip the expensive wrapping paper. Glossy Christmas patterned paper can add hundreds of dollars to your final gift budget but simple brown or white paper with coloured ribbon can make an equally impressive gift – the paper will just be ripped and recycled anyway. Or you can use non-traditional gift wrapping tools as part of the gift – why not wrap gifts in tea towels or bath towels, or make a ‘Santa Sack’ from a pillow case?

Written by Fred Schebesta. Fred writes at Savings Account Finders. He offers advice on how to compare savings  accounts and make the most of term deposit accounts

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Supermarket


Visit FlexYourPower.org for tips on saving money at home and work. Global warming is a choice.

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Save Money on Home Improvement and Home Repair Costs

Save money on home improvement and home repair costs this year. There are several ways to reduce remodeling costs and to save money on home repairs. Learn more about why people are spending money on home improvements and best ways to save money.

 

Home Improvement Costs An Ongoing Expense For Many

 

Home improvement costs are a constant for many families. More and more people are deciding to stay in their homes rather than trying to sell them. Increasing the home’s value while living in the home can be a great way to get more out of the house. The cost to do home improvements and repairs is mitigated by making the home easier to sell when the time comes, and in the meantime, living in the home becomes more enjoyable.

 

Save Money On Home Improvement And Remodeling Costs

 

Save money on home improvement and remodeling costs by planning ahead. Focusing on high priority changes that are most needed like a second bathroom or a roomier kitchen will give you the most for your money. You can also save money on home improvement and remodeling costs by using reclaimed materials in your upgrades and changes. More and more green builders and contractors are visiting salvage stores for their building supplies. Using reclaimed materials instead of all-new bathtubs, sinks, countertops and more can mean a significant savings on remodeling costs.

 

Tips To Save Money On Home Repair

 

There are reward credit cards and cash back credit cards that provide an additional way to save money on home repair. The cards provide cash back or rewards for using the cards to make new purchases. Some of these credit cards also provide a bonus savings or extra rewards for using the cards to buy merchandise at home improvement stores. In addition, using a rewards credit card that’s also a low interest credit card for some big expenses can reduce the amount of debt that’s owed, or defer the costs for remodeling for several months or a year. Save money on home repair by getting the card just before the start date of the largest projects associated with the home improvements.

Lisa Nichols is a freelance writer, website content strategist and marketing and PR strategy consultant. Originally from Eugene, Oregon, Lisa is currently based in Covington, Kentucky (also known as greater Cincinnati, Ohio).

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How Women Can Save Money at Home

If you are like most women today, one of your main problems is how to save money on everything from groceries to birthday presents. Millions of families are living paycheck to paycheck, and chances are if you aren’t one of them, you know someone who is.

There are dozens of ways you can help cut expenses and live within a tighter budget, without compromising the quality of your life. Try adding just a few news money saving ideas a week. Save money at home, and you might even find enough left over to finally start that savings plan we all wish we had now!

Save Money on Groceries

? Make one day a week your food prep day. Create a menu for the week and use it to prep lunch foods for the kids, purchase the right ingredients for dinners and bake snacks or breakfast foods that can be used in lunches or reheated during the busy work week. A little bit of planning can save you big bucks on the cost of food. For the average family, that’s hundreds a month.

? DON’T stop at the store on your way home every night. I have found myself spending an easy $100 extra a week that way! Make your food purchases once a week (this is where that planning comes in!) and avoid the last minute runs. Have you EVER actually walked out with just that one carton of eggs you walked in for?

? Reduce waste. Most Americans throw away half their food. Can you imagine cutting your food bill in half? That’s thousands a year. Invest in those green bags for your produce, (yes, they really work) make a list of leftovers on the refrigerator door so they don’t get lost in the back, dish your kids half of what you normally would and let them come back for more rather than throw it away. Same goes for pouring them milk or juice.

Save Money on Kids

? Save money on kid’s clothes by looking for bargains and not buying on impulse. Watch end of the season sales, and buy 2 sizes larger on average for the next year. Short sleeve shirts can be used year round layered under sweatshirts or with longer sleeves, so they are always a good buy on clearance. Check out those thrift stores while the kids are at school and score them some brand name gently used clothing for just a few dollars. They don’t have to know where they came from if it bothers them.

? Young kids are perfectly happy with budget minded activities to keep them busy. Nothing wrong with whipping up a homemade batch of playdough or bubbles, in fact, they might enjoy that just as much as playing with them! Keep a box of craft supplies to pull out when they need an imagination day. Pick up glue sticks, crayons and scissors in bulk when school supplies are on sale to last all year. Save magazines for them to cut up and make collages. Reuse computer paper and allow them to draw on the backside. Use the internet to find sites that offer free computer games, or instructions to games your kids can play. A good one is http://www.funattic.com/.

? Older kids and teenagers seem to think they always need the latest and greatest video games. They don’t. Last years games at half the price are just as fun this year. Don’t let the “keeping up with the Joneses kids” mentality drive your judgment. Kids today have WAY more then they probably should anyway. Fun is great, but make sure they understand the whole “I want it all, and I want it now” mentality is what got our country in this mess! And by the way…they will not die if they have to wait for a birthday or holiday to get them, either. Despite what your 13 year old would like you to believe. Another money saving tip for gaming? Ebay. Just make sure you check out the sellers ratings to be sure you are dealing with a legitimate business.

Save Money on Household

? Trim your electric bill by cutting back on energy usage. Turn off your computer, especially your monitor when not in use. Letting is run all night in an unused room is a big waste. Turn down your thermostat just a couple of degrees and save 20% on your bill. Sew quilted window coverings to insulate your number one energy leak.

? Save on restaurants by planning your trips on free kid’s night. Ask for water with lemon instead of soft drinks. If your local restaurant has a half price appetizers hour, make it a meal on just a few dollars. Look for the most value for your dollar. Our local Mexican restaurant makes a nacho appetizer that is so large it can easily be shared by four for a filling meal, and it’s less than $9.

? When making major household purchases, make sure you do your research. Look for stores that offer a price match if you find a better deal. Floor models sell for a lot less and work just the same. Most experts say save your money when it comes to the extended warranty…if something is going to go wrong, it probably will while its still covered by the manufacturers warranty. Don’t underestimate your ability to repair things. The internet is packed full of websites and forums that will walk you through household repairs and even tell you what parts you need. Look for furniture on Craiglist. Don’t feel like you have to buy every piece of furniture you need at once, take your time and find a bargain.

Now that you have started implementing a plan to save your family money, consider learning to make extra money as well to help you put away for a rainy day, pay for your children’s lessons and classes, or to pay down debt. Remember, ANY woman can learn to make money on the internet, no matter how tight her budget, even if she’s just getting her surfing feet wet, and using what she already knows!

For free ideas for women learning to make money on the internet, visit Kathy at http://www.women-on-the-net.com.
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Saving Money At Home

Perhaps some of you would not believe that you can start saving money at home by managing ideally even the smallest and the cheapest commodities in your home like vinegar. Yes, you read it right. Saving money can be started by this commodity. Of course there are lots of things that can be a effective ways to save money at home but this time, we discuss the importance of vinegar for saving at home.


If you need to trim down your grocery budget but have difficulty how to do it , then try this saving money tip . Kindly pay close attention to this write-up. We are going to show you how can you save money. This an important for saving money.


Like this example. All of us, perhaps, can not take a bath without the use of conditioner. For this reason, we tend to buy in the supermarket as much as we need it. However, there are times that we only have just enough for our basic needs and buying some other commodity like that makes our mind puzzled on how to maximize our purchase with our budget.


If you would like to cut down your spending and decide not to buy conditioner, you can have this alternative. Vinegar can be used as a substitute for conditioner because this is good for hair and scalp. This has the capacity to maintain the balance of skin’s PH level. It can also effectively remove excess shampoo. It also will not make your scalp dry and does not leave smell after use. It washes cleanly and make your hair shiny and soft. So, if you are tired of spending an amount that is just like a salon price, then use this alternative now. It is effective to use and, of course, an ideal way to saving money.


Another is, the capacity of vinegar to maintain the PH level of skin in balanced makes it as a perfect ointment for oily as well as for dry skin. You can use this as an alternative for expensive cream and detergents which have the possibility to make your skin problem worst. Because, some of creams available in the market are harsh cleaners; this can deplete oil supply making your skin oilier. This idea also applies to dry skin. As an alternative, vinegar that is much cheaper is available for you to use for ideal result. Thus, this is an effective way of saving at home


And also, by making 1/4 cup vinegar with to two tablespoon lemon to water solution, you can have an alternative for expensive window cleaner, bathroom surfaces and kitchen. This mixture penetrates through grease and provides pleasant smell. This can also serve as a mild disinfectant. There is nothing to worry on using this because this is not harmful to your health unlike using commercial expensive products. Well, you can have this as way of saving money.


Now, you could have realized the ideal characteristics of vinegar. You are informed of its multiple usage. You can make this as one of your ways to save money at home. So, if you have sometimes to test its effects, then go. You are not only making your self away from hazardous commercial chemicals but also, you are saving money at home.

Stephen C Campbell (MBA, MSc) is an Entrepreneur, International Business Consultant. He has published articles about business in niche marketing and market segmentation at
http://www.guidetomakingmoremoney.com/

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Ways To Save Money At Home

We know that we can start saving money at home. Since most of us spend time at home, it is a valid arguments that most of our essentials are spent at home. From electrical consumption down to water consumption; from foods to clothing; from soap to shampoo. Yes, you read it right, shampoo.


Perhaps, some would think that we can’t save big enough if we just make it through shampoo usage. Of course, this is just one of examples that contribute for saving at home.


Most of us probably have a stock of old shampoos and conditioners almost junked in the corner of our bathroom that we will likely never use. Oftentimes the brand you buy does not quite do what you want. The tendency is, you find new one, trying to have some that will do what you desire; and the results, we set aside those old ones. Most of these product, as we note, we buy because are easily convinced with new advertisements for new product brands.


In this topic, we will discuss how to make those junked shampoo into a practical uses that will serve as an avenue for saving money. This strategy will not only avoid the wasteful consumption of product but it is also a way of saving money at home.


You can convert your old shampoo as hand soap. How? As we all know, most shampoos come with conditioners; the combination of this two makes and ideal soap that can be used for our hands. This gives you a great outcome because, shampoo has a ideal fragrance that suits best for washing and conditioner makes your hand smooth and will protect it from drying.


Another is, old shampoos can be used as carpet cleaner. It suits best to wool rugs because this are hair products. However, it can be applied to other carpet made of fibers. In such a way, you do not need to buy special shampoos formulated for carpets. Hence, you are saving money at home. You are saving money because hair shampoos are less expensive compared to carpet shampoos.


We might have realized it, but shampoo are much stronger than what we think. This can be used as stain remover. Try to use it as for that. You can have two saving money ways for this: one, it is less expensive compare to if you buy greaser; two, you do not need to buy another cloth in replacement to the stained one. See? This is an one of effective ways to save money at home.


To add more idea, you shall know that shampoo is known to break down enzymes. This can be made as great cleaner for blood-removal. Surely, most of us are often disgusted with blood stains because this can ruin clothing. With that problem, shampoo can offer you a solution for that.


Aside from those, shampoo is also ideal t for cleaning nearly hard surfaces like floor especially for tiles stained. And, by mixing shampoo with soda, you will have a perfect watermarks cleaner, soap scum.


There are many techniques to saving money at home. You can start this by not throwing your shampoo away because this is one of effective ways of saving at home.

Stephen C Campbell (MBA, MSc) is an Entrepreneur, International Business Consultant. He has published articles about business in niche marketing and market segmentation at
http://www.guidetomakingmoremoney.com/

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Avoiding Foreclosure Tips-Saving Money On Home Maintenance

When facing foreclosure, it comes down to one main thing; you need money in the bank, to pay your bills.  Sometimes saving your home from foreclosure comes down to having an extra thousand dollars at the end of the year.  By learning to cut expenses down, you can have that extra money and more.

This is my fourth article on money saving tips to avoid foreclosure.  The first article tells you how you can save several thousand dollars a year on grocery’s, article number two tells you how to save on clothing, the third is how to save money on car repairs and this particular article will deal with saving money on home maintenance.  Having a house can get expensive and you don’t want to put money into it, just have the bank take it away from you because you can’t pay the mortgage.  Spend your money wisely and you can keep your house from foreclosure and have it in good shape.

Prioritize what needs to be done
If you feel like home repairs are just becoming too overwhelming, it is time to make a priority list.  This means you need to write down everything that needs to or you want to fix up in your home.  After you make this list go through it and see what really needs to be done right away and approximately how much it would cost.

Then you really should separate the list into what must get done and what you would like to have done.  The stuff that must get done needs to move to the top and things that you would just want to have done, goes to the bottom.  You may have to put off those things until you truly have extra money and just get the things done that really need to get done, such as your roof is leaking.   By the end of the year, you will be glad that you waited on repairs that weren’t quite necessary at the time and that you have the extra money.

Pay Cash for Home Repairs
If you have hired someone to do the repairs on you home.  Offer to pay them cash in exchange for a discount.  Most people will say yes to this.  After they quote you the price, ask them for a possible discount, if you pay with cash.  Remember to pay them half when they start and half when they finish.  Never pay it all up front, because you want them to come back and finish the job.  Or just try and pay them all at the end of the job, if they don’t say anything about being paid up front.

Buy Second Hand
If you making repairs in the kitchen or bathroom, try buying any appliances or cabinets you may need second hand.  Look in your local classified list or go to a second hand store.  This can save you several 100 dollars, depending on what the item is.

Choose Your Contractor Wisely
If you are working with a licensed contractor, go with one that has fixed-price bids for there work.  This way you won’t get ripped off by someone, just throwing a price to you, with no rhyme or reason behind it.  Working with a trustworthy contractor is very important, finding one that explains everything they are doing, before they do it, is helpful as well.  Never pay them in full until you have inspected and approve the final job.

Replace Appliances Wisely
If you have to buy new appliances for you place, look for ones that are going to be the most energy efficient, so that you can at least save money on the electricity bill. Also when buying a new product, price shop all the stores, if you find a lower price online, bring in a printed copy of the cheaper price and see if you can get a local store to match it.  Also don’t be afraid to ask people what is the best price they can do, sometimes you will get some sort of discount by doing this.

Hopefully by following these tips and the previous ones, you will have plenty of money to make your mortgage payments on time.  Keep finding ways to save money and if you have a good tip, please let us know so we can spread the word to other people trying to save their homes.

Second Foreclosure Option
LJ Adama writes articles on financial advice and foreclosure help. To get better ideas on how to stop foreclosure. Or to learn about loan modification and foreclosure prevention methods please visit us at ForeclosureFish.com

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24 ways to save energy on your cooking

If you like to get creative in the kitchen, you probably don’t give much thought to how much power you’re using – not when there are more important things to measure. Well, just take a minute now to think about all the things going on in the kitchen when you’re cooking – the oven is heating, the stove top is probably bubbling away with one or two pots and you may even have the microwave, the kettle or the grill going as well.

When you add up all of that power used, every night of the week just to feed your family you’ll probably start wondering if there’s a better way. You don’t have to resort to takeaway food to tone down the power consumption in your kitchen, all you have to do is cook smarter and below are 24 ways you can save energy when you cook, and most of them won’t even cost you a grain of salt.

1 : Fill Your Oven

The same way you wouldn’t run your dishwasher or washing machine half full because it’s a waste of energy, so too should your oven be full when you use it. With more homes opting for a gourmet style kitchen you may even have a large freestanding stove which you use to cook just one tray of muffins or roast one chicken breast. Instead, think about what else you can fill your oven with – you may take something from the stove and cook it in the microwave instead, or maybe you can double or triple your recipe and freeze some for later.

2:  Close the Oven and Keep it Closed

The more often you open the oven door, the longer it will take for your meal to cook – using more energy. Your oven is likely to have a light inside so turn this on and peer through the door, instead of letting all that cooking warmth out.

3:  Keep an Eye on Preheating

Some dishes will call for the oven to be preheated and it is important to the end result. However, where you can avoid it, don’t leave the oven heating for too long before putting the food in, and if you still want to preheat the oven, make sure you put the food in as soon as the oven has reached its preheated temperature.

4 : Use the Oven as a Warmer

Instead of getting out a warming tray, or leaving your oven on a warming setting to keep your meal until everyone arrives at the table, use the residual heat from the oven’s cooking time to keep food warm. Again, if you keep the door closed, very little heat will escape.

5 : Cooking Marathon

Where you can, cook meals you need for later in the day, when you are already cooking an earlier meal. For example, cooking your dinner meal straight after your lunch meal allows you to use the already warmed oven’s energy for the next meal, rather than letting it cool down, and making it work harder to heat up again from cold.

6 : Weekend Cooking Marathon

As well as giving you more time during the week, cooking your meals for the week on the weekend means you can cut down on the energy your oven uses at dinner time every day. Cooking more than one meal in the oven or on the cook top at once will use less energy than heating up your oven five times a week.

7:  Don’t Over Boil

When you fill the kettle for a cup of tea or coffee, don’t fill the kettle right up unless you need to. Similarly if you’re boiling a pot of water for pasta or vegetables, take care in using just the amount of water you need, rather than filling the pot to the top. The more water you’re boiling, the more energy you’ll be needlessly using.

8:  Unthaw Food Before Cooking

A little preparation in unthawing your meat or stored soups before cooking will help you cut down on the cooking energy needed. To cook something from frozen is going to take a lot longer, and use a lot more energy than cooking something thawed.

9:  Cook Smaller Food

No, you don’t have to go on a diet you just need to cut up your food a little before you cook it. Cutting pieces of meat for the BBQ or cutting vegetables for roasting will mean they take less time to cook and use less energy.

10:  Turn Off the Stove While You’re Cooking

If you are cooking something on the cook top such as an omelette, bacon, pancakes or the like, when your food is almost done, turn off the stove as the residual heat in the hot plate and in the pan will be enough to finish off the cooking process for a perfect meal.

11:  Turn Off the BBQ While You’re Cooking

Outside you can turn off the BBQ just before you’re done too. If you’re cooking sausages or hamburgers for example, when they are about five minutes away from being cooked, turn off the heat and let the stored heat in the grill or plate finish them off. Plus if you have a BBQ with a hood, this will keep in even more heat after you turn off the gas.

12:  Size Up Your Pots

If you are cooking something small on your cook top, use a small pot. This will allow you to use one of the smaller burners on your stove, and in turn you’ll use less energy to cook.

13:  Slow Cooking Saves Energy

Instead of heating up the whole oven to cook a meal, use a slow cooker or crock pot. You can cook a whole roast and vegetables, a stew or a delicious Asian dish in a pot on the stove using much less energy than you would in the oven. Not to mention putting your dinner in a slow cooker and letting it cook away saves you time.

14:  Flat Bottomed Pans

Check just how flat the bottom of the pan or pot you are using is, to conserve energy in your cooking. The flatter the base of the pan, the more surface area there is to be in contact with the hotplate, and therefore your cooking is faster and uses less energy.

15:  Lid On

Everything you cook will cook faster with the lid on, in turn saving you energy. Water will boil faster with the lid on, your veggies will steam faster and the meat in your stew will break down faster with the lid on.

16:  Clean Kitchens Save Energy

Make it a habit to regularly clean your oven , cook top and hotplates – they’ll reward you with efficiency. Just think about how much harder your oven has to work to cook through all the baked on meals of your past, and how much hotter will your pans get when they can be in direct contact with the hot plate, not with the food baked onto the hot plate.

17:  Microwave Boil

Using a microwave to boil your water is more efficient than using a kettle, or boiling water on the stove. Where a microwave can heat and bring water to the boil faster, it is able to use less energy.

18:  Choose the Right Sized Appliance

If you can use a smaller appliance than your oven to cook then you are going to be saving yourself a lot of energy. If you can use a small toaster oven for your grilled cheese or a slow cooker for your roast then go for it.

19:  Use an Electric Kettle

If you like to boil your water traditionally – on the stove top – then this could end up costing you. It can take more energy to boil water in a kettle on the stove, than is used by an electric kettle.

20:  Broil vs Bake

When you bake something in your oven you are essentially surrounding it with hot air, at the temperature your recipe book told you, or that you know is right for the food. Broiling is like upside down barbequing as broiling is cooking with infrared heat, which on a BBQ comes from the coals underneath and in a broiling oven comes from the hot element above the food. To broil a steak for example you would choose the setting on your oven, put your meat in a dish to catch the juices and let the steak cook. Since you are using just one element in the oven, and letting your food cook in its own juices, you are likely to be able to use less energy than baking. Broiling will also cook your food faster, and therefore use less energy.

21:  Double or Triple the Recipe

If you are making something like soup, pasta sauce or even muffins or cookies double or triple the recipe and freeze some for later. Cooking these meals from scratch just once will use less energy than the hours of cooking required to cook each batch individually.

22:  Quality Cookware

Good quality pots and pans will cook more efficiently than the cheap and nasty ones. This is because they are made of stronger materials, and materials better suited to cooking to allow them to conduct the heat better. For example, most good quality cooking pots will have a copper base and copper is excellent at conducting the heat evenly across the base of the pan so your food cooks faster – using less energy. You are likely to have to make an investment to upgrade to quality cookware but the energy savings, plus the better cooking results will be worth the switch.

23:  Wood Stove

Having a camping cook-out is an alternative to using up energy in your kitchen as you are able to use a specially designed camp oven – which is usually a large, strong based pot – over a wood stove to cook your meal.

24: Cooking with Solar

Solar cooking is a culinary method which has been used in developing countries for centuries and is only just emerging into mainstream Western cooking practices. A totally carbon neutral and power-free cooking method, using the sun to cook your meals instead of the stove is sure to save you on energy costs. There are three main types of solar cookers; the Panel Cooker which directs sunlight from reflective panels onto food; the Solar Oven which places food under a glass plate and as the sun travels through the glass it cooks the food, this solar cooker also used reflective panels to direct even more sunlight through the glass; and the Parabolic Cooker uses a series of mirrors designed to concentrate the sun’s rays on a particular spot. Solar cooking can take some time to perfect and will require an investment in equipment but if you’re serious about natural cooking the answer could be right there in the sky.

Using less energy when you cook can be as simple as choosing the right tools for the job. Plus when you cook more efficiently, you can often save yourself time too.

Fred Schebesta writes about saving money at Savings Account Finder, he helps people compare and the right high interest savings account to get more interest.

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