Cost-Cutting Contest

We Have a Winner!
Congratulations to Charles Matthews, whose cost-cutting tactic got the most thumbs-ups from our panel of editors in last month's book giveaway. Charles will receive a copy of the Penny Pincher's Almanac. Here's his tactic:


You Have the Power!
by Charles Matthews
Contact your local power company to request an in-home energy audit. Most power companies have trained professionals who will conduct home inspections at no cost. Their fresh eyes will notice things like loose windows, old weather stripping, and other inefficiencies that you have become accustomed to or do not recognize. As a military member, I did this for over 20 years while living in over 25 homes (I had to move a lot). Those free suggestions amounted to a consistent 30 percent savings on my monthly power bills.


Runners-Up

Year-Round Christmas
by Margie Johnson
I save money by purchasing my gifts that I will need throughout the year for Christmas or birthdays when there are clearance sales at end of year or discontinued items. I put them in a box, and write on the outside of the box what I have purchased, and for whom. I am able to give them items that are worth more and are nicer than what I could if I went out last minute and purchased the gift!

Dipping Into the Slush Pile
by Lauren Shockley
When I enter checks into my checkbook I round up to the nearest dollar. I have slowly built up a little slush fund in my account. At the end of every year I transfer the slush fund to our savings and start all over again. Each year I painlessly add $1,200-$1,500 to our savings.


You Could Still Win a Prize!
We hold sweepstakes and contests on an ongoing basis, so if you didn't win this month, don't forget that you can still enter another one here.

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• Cost-Cutting Tactics Contest
• Share your best money-saving ideas and you could win a book!
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