5 TIPS TO SAVE MORE

With the New Year well under way, it won't be long before we'll be counting down the days until spring. This is the perfect time to start planning for things like summer vacation or upcoming renovations around the home.

This is also a great time to revisit the household budget and identify any areas where we can save a few extra dollars each month. Every little bit we save can be used towards something else, such as topping up your RSSP or taking the family on a memorable vacation.

Here are 5 tips for saving money around the home.

 

Turn Out The Lights
Turn off lights when they're not needed. Not just when you leave a room, but also when there is enough natural light that you don't really need them to be on. In addition, put outdoor or porch lights on a timer.

Use Energy Efficient Bulbs
Energy saving bulbs can be big money savers. Some people don't like these types of light. In this case, don't use them in areas you spend a lot of time. Instead, use them in the garage or porch. Every little bit helps.

Turn Down The Heat
The next couple of tips are really timely at this time of year. If you're walking around your house like it's summer in February, you're spending too much on heating. Turn the thermostat down to a level everyone can cope with comfortably while appropriately dressed.

Use a Space Heater
It can be far more cost effective to use a portable space heater than to heat an entire room.

If it's just you reading a book in the living room, then use a space heater and maybe a blanket instead of cranking up the thermostat.

Use Sponges and Rags
For day-to-day cleaning or to wipe up spills, use sponges and rags instead of paper towel. Not only are they re-usable, it can save you quite a bit of money. Paper towel is convenient, but perhaps too convenient, and it's easy to use a lot of it if everyone reaches for it every time there's a spill on the counter.

It's easy to think we'll save money by making a dramatic cut in our spending or a change to our lifestyle. The truth is, big changes can be difficult. Small, incremental changes to how we spend our money will have a tremendous long-term impact.

Try this experiment. Choose an area of your spending where you can make a small adjustment. Then track it over a few months. Not only can this be eye opening, but it can be very motivating.

Health is Happiness

Even a moderate amount of physical activity has an incredible impact on the way you feel. Just 20 minutes of light exercise each day can benefit a person's overall health. Feeling healthy benefits other areas of our lives as well: we have more energy and vitality and are able to enjoy more.

With 2012 well under way, this is the perfect time to make a commitment to improving your health. It can start with going for a 20-minute walk with the dog or a family member. You don't have to buy a gym membership either; you can do this right in the comfort of your own home.

Whether it's planning a regular walk or taking the stairs instead of the elevator, the important part is to get started. It's one thing you won't regret doing.

Professional Expertise

“Our mortgage specialist was extremely accessible and I could work directly
with her,”
says Jodie H. of Sherwood Park, Alberta. “My initial concern was
what the cost of borrowing would be,”
she says. “But Cherie shared
her knowledge and experience and I was better able to make
my decision.”
Jodie is now able to use equity from her home
to benefit her overall life.

Every month, Capital Direct helps Canadians just like you to realize their dreams. What about you? Your home equity is something you've worked hard to build, so why not 'let your house lend a hand' © when you need it most! Contact a Capital Direct mortgage specialist to discover your options.

“ Cherie shared her
knowledge and expertise. ’. ”

February Sudoku

  3 7
    2
     
     
1    
  6 9
    5
     
    7
7   1
3    
    5
8   6
2   5
7   3
3    
    4
6   2
5    
     
1    
6 7  
    1
     
     
5    
7 6  

Click here to view the solution

Capital Direct's Eco-friendly Calculator

Do you know how large your home’s eco-footprint is? Under the ecoEnergy Retrofit program, homeowners can take advantage of available grants when improving the energy efficiency of their home. Not only will you be reducing your home's energy consumption but you can receive money back through available grants.

Visit Capital Direct's Eco-friendly Calculator online at, https://www.capitaldirect.ca/eco-calculator. Calculate the environmental impact of your household and find out ways of reducing it, then give us a call to learn how we can help you apply for available retrofit grants.


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