Small green plant growing from a bunch of cent coins6 Shortcuts to a Smaller Utility Bill
Looking to cut your energy costs?
It can take years for a new, more energy-efficient refrigerator or other major appliance to pay for itself in savings on a utility bill. If that’s the path you want to take, this Energy Star calculator can estimate the amount of money saved by replacing an old fridge with a new one. But if you want to see quicker results, here’s how you can save on cash and your energy usage:
Less Hot Water
By lowering the temperature on your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, you use less energy to heat your water. You can also use less hot water by washing clothes in cold water, and only using the dishwasher when it’s completely full and during off-peak times if your utility company offers lower rates.
Set the Thermostat
The furnace and air conditioners consume the most energy in a home. Using them less can save you a lot of money on your utility bill. Start by lowering the thermostat in the winter and raising it in the summer.

Either buy a programmable thermostat or change the temperature yourself before you leave your house for work in the morning. Lower it by 10 to 15 degrees in the winter while you’re out of the house, and keep your home just a few degrees warmer during the winter when you’re home.

Use Fans
Ceiling fans can force cool air down in warm weather by running counterclockwise, and can distribute warm air during colder months by running clockwise and moving air up and around a room.

Fans obviously require energy to run, but they’ll lead to savings by keeping the cool or warm air that you want in your house instead of letting it escape out the roof.

Install Timers
You can install timed light switches in rooms that are used only from time to time, such as bathrooms and the laundry room. You won’t have to worry about remembering to turn the lights off because they will shut off automatically after a set period of time.

Replace Appliances
While the savings take longer to add up and the upfront cost can be prohibitive, replacing old appliances will eventually save you energy and money. Refrigerators that are 15 years or older use twice as much energy as a new Energy Star refrigerator.

ne of the biggest responsibilities a child—or a family—can take on is adopting a dog as a pet.

Feeding, walking, grooming and cleaning up after a dog are daily responsibilities that everyone can do, and will also help teach children how to take care of something they love. For parents, however, there’s the extra task of paying for all the costs associated with the dog.

Here are some of the primary expenses of owning a dog that a family should consider before bringing one home:

Upfront Fees
Adoption fees are the first costs you’ll incur, whether from a pet store, private breeder or animal shelter.

Animal shelters will be the least expensive, though they’ll likely require your dog to be spayed or neutered at a cost of up to $200 or so. There are also the costs of vaccinations, license and microchip, all of which can easily add $100 or more to the initial cost.

Add in some initial necessities such as a leash, collar, food, dishware, bed and a crate, and you can easily spend $200 or so at a pet store to make your dog feel at home.

Veterinarian
Animal shelters may give you a coupon for a free visit to a local veterinarian for your dog’s first checkup. After that, you’ll have to pay for more vaccinations, annual physicals and any injuries that may pop up.

Bear in mind your vet may recommend a kennel cough vaccination for your dog, heartworm test and prevention pills, flea and tick prevention tablets, and other services.

Pet Insurance
This is an optional cost, but one worth considering when adopting a dog. If your dog doesn’t have any serious illnesses and is spayed or neutered, $35 per month for a pet insurance plan is reasonable. That includes 80 percent reimbursement and $250 annual deductible. That’s $670 per year out of your pocket before medical costs are paid.

Having major surgery can more than pay for the cost, and even a middle-of-the road illness can make pet insurance worthwhile.

Daily Expenses
Daily care costs are minimal. You can probably get by spending $30 or less per month on dog food. You can give your dog a bath and haircut yourself, and dog toys are pretty cheap.

Once you’ve got a dog leash and collar in hand, walking your dog is free—and that may be the best part of these expenses: free exercise.