Spring Cleaning Tips :: Make it Fun and Profitable!

It's that time of year again. The cold air has retreated, the trees are budding and we're rolling up our sleeves to do some spring cleaning! Yes, it's a dreaded time for many, as a big cleanup is often disorganized and tiring... but it doesn't have to be! Here are some tips for freeing up some cash as an extra bonus to getting your home and yard straightened up, as well as some ways to make spring cleaning fun for the whole family!

Spring Cleaning Tips:

• Sit down with the family and brainstorm about changes you want to make around the house; make a good list and stick to it.

• Challenge the kids to see who can rake up the most leaves -- the excitement of competition may make them forget they're doing work!

• Organize a garage sale (AKA yard sale or tag sale), giving each member of the family a chance to put some cash in their pockets, and remove clutter at the same time.

• Consider painting or redecorating certain rooms to give a great new feel to the house.

• Think of ways to make your home more environmentally friendly. Going green can make you feel better and save a lot of money over time as well!

• Don't make spring cleaning a grueling marathon-like event... break up the day by playing some games outside or having a picnic together.

• Take the opportunity to fix any water leaks or insulation breaches that may be hurting your home's energy efficiency. Free money!

• If you live in a rural or wooded area and have dogs or cats, this is a good time to treat them for ticks and fleas since they will probably be spending more time outdoors. Being proactive can save your pets' health, not to mention money on veterinarian bills!

• Search your sofas, love seats and recliners for loose change and other treasures. Ditto underneath your car seats. You may even find other lost items you've been missing.

• Replace old light bulbs with energy efficient low-wattage units to save money in the long run.

• You might even want to install a solar panel or two if you can afford it. There are very durable and potent panels available today, and it's possible to completely eliminate electric bills (even get a check from your utility company for energy you return to the power grid).

So you see, spring cleaning doesn't have to be a pain in the neck... Be creative and make it a productive and memorable bonding experience with your loved ones! Your newfound tidiness will be a welcome bonus.

Do It Yourself Tips for Saving Money!

DIY -- three great letters that have saved so much money for those willing to put in the time and effort to acquire, practice and apply useful knowledge.

A really great way to save, as well as an excellent method of diversifying your set of life skills, is to learn how to perform a wide range of simple (or not so simple) tasks -- which usually cost money -- on your own! What follows is a list of things which you may or may not already know how to do yourself, but if you have the talent and drive to pick up on some of these, you may well save some money in the process.

Household - Indoor

Cleaning up the house, painting, doing general chores, simple fix-ups, remodeling and more indoor jobs take time and we often don't get around to doing them in our busy lives. Being short on money, it's not much of an option to pay for the service, so it may be a great time to get in there and do it yourself. Improve the value of your home, feel a sense of accomplishment every time you enter a room, and save money!

Household - Outdoor

Taking it upon yourself to fix up the yard, pull weeds, plant flower beds and trim trees and bushes, as well as painting, simple repairs, pressure cleaning, etc., saves lots of money. Outdoor tasks like these present a great opportunity for getting exercise and fresh air. Remember to stay within your limits and don't overdo it.

Automotive

Most of us who have owned an automobile know that maintenance and repairs can really break the bank, often coming at the worst possible time financially. Learning to perform simple repairs (or more complex ones -- whatever you're up for) is sure to save you lots of money, help avoid the inconvenience of waiting a long time to get your car or truck back, and the frustration of not being sure whether your mechanic is being 100% truthful.

Culinary

Learning to cook is fun, rewarding, potentially very healthy, and is also a great skill to have! Not to mention that, well, it's a part of this list, so... it saves you money! Once you get the basics down, experiment with different types of recipes from various parts of the world and enjoy the experience as you learn.

Self

It may seem excessive to some, but one can actually save a lot by performing his or her own haircuts, spa treatments, massage, etc. Now, for many, the point of these things is to relax while being pampered. But in desperate times, it's nice to know that you could still have the benefits of personal services without the cost.

Hobbies

Learning to play an instrument, dance, self defense, etc., can be quite expensive. If you can't really afford lessons, why not try the DIY approach using books or videos and some dedication to practicing? Some of the greatest musicians in history were self-taught. Not to minimize the importance of a professional trainer, but you may be surprised with your ability to act as both teacher and student.

Summary

Becoming a Do-It-Yourselfer can be rewarding in a number of ways, including feeling an enhanced sense of self-worth, expanding your practical knowledge to include more subjects than before, and -- possibly the best -- saving a ton of money! I encourage you to explore new horizons in DIY and see what you can learn. You just might find something you really enjoy doing!

Ways to Save Money on Transportation

We drivers (and paying passengers) have been lucky enough to see gas prices drop considerably over the past several months, well away from their horrendous peak in mid 2008. Despite this much-needed relief, most of us are still short on cash and could stand to free up a few dollars here and there for other things we need and/or want.

I'm going to outline a few ways to save money on transportation, ranging from financial decisions to daily routine adjustments to simple, quick tasks that will all contribute to reduced cost for you.

Auto Insurance

One great way to save money on transportation is by looking into the way your car insurance is set up. You might be able to reduce your insurance payments by increasing your deductible (which I have seen recommended by personal finance experts).

By switching from a $250 or $500 deductible to a $1000 deductible, you can save yourself much money over time, likely more than the difference between your current share of accident repairs and $1000. Of course, you should always drive defensively and practice good awareness to reduce the chances of a traffic accident.

You can always look around at other car insurance providers and get free quotes on what you woulc pay for their coverage. Try to find a good coverage package, combined with affordable pricing and convenience. You will want a company that's easy to deal with if/when you have an accident.

Fuel Efficiency

MPG. It's been a buzz word (er, acronym) lately in the advertising world, and for good reason. People have been spending large chunks of their income fueling the vehicles that get them where they need to be. And if you're not gassing up your own car or truck, you're probably paying a fare to be driven somewhere, and fuel costs are usually factored in here as well. If you're getting low miles per gallon and you have to drive a lot, you're spending a fortune on gas or diesel, plain and simple.

Aside from buying a more efficient car (please do if you can afford to!), there are many easy ways to improve your current vehicle's gas mileage.

Check your tires regularly to ensure proper inflation pressure. Poorly inflated tires harm gas mileage but creating more friction with the road's surface, requiring your engine to work just a bit harder to keep going at all times.

Consult your vehicle's service manual for the proper recommended tire inflation pressure. If your tires have been replaced with a different brand or model, find the correct pressure written on the tire's sidewall. It may take a little hunting, but you will find it.

Driving habits are a very important factor in determining your overall gas mileage. You can easily make a tank of gas last twice as long going from flooring the accelerator everywhere you drive to gently accelerating and being aware of approaching stoplights and stop signs. Do your best to coast to a stop instead of braking heavily at the last moment. Not only will this reduce fuel use, but it will also conserve brake wear and may even prevent an accident or two.

Dining Out and Shopping

Try to reduce the frequency of trips to restaurants and other stops if you can. Cooking at home is often less expensive, healthier and more rewarding than eating out, and it will also help you conserve gas/diesel. If you have a number of errands to run, see if you can plan a day to hit all the stops in one trip. That way, you will save fuel and time as well. Your vehicle will also suffer less wear and tear!

Car Maintenance

Whenever possible, and if you know how, perform your own routine vehicle maintenance such as car washes, oil changes, fluid top-offs and tune ups. If you have not done these things (other than the car wash) before, only attempt them under the supervision of someone with experience and know-how to avoid damaging your automobile.

If you are able to fix most things on your car, you can save a very large sum of money over time. I'm sad to say it, but It's tough to find a mechanic that really has your best interest in mind. So many people get ripped off having their car or truck repaired.

Let's Review

• Get a reliable, fuel-efficient car or truck if possible
• Optimize your auto insurance for good coverage and pricing
  
• Drive conservatively, using less throttle and braking more gradually
  
• Keep your vehicle tuned up and maintain good tire inflation
• Try to reduce the number of short trips you take

There you have it. Go forth and save!