Compromise to Cut Heating Bill Costs This Winter
Every fall, we go through the same battle. Do we want to be comfortable or save money?
Comfort used to win out for me every time. I cranked my thermostat up to tropical temps. I'd jokingly tell myself I could afford to splurge because I was saving money by not flying to Hawaii to soak up the sun. But by the end of the winter, when bill after bill had taken its toll on my savings, I wasn't laughing anymore.
In recent years, I've been unable to afford my winter habit. So I took a deep breath and turned the thermostat down a few degrees. Honestly, I barely noticed it. I turned it down a few more degrees and put on an extra sweater. Today, I keep the temperature at about 63 degrees during the day and 55 at night.
I guess the moral of the story is that cutting costs takes compromise. You don't have to give up all your creature comforts - just be willing to try something new, whether that means turning down the thermostat a smidge, taking shorter showers or taking a different approach to your finances.
Maybe the most permanent way to make your heating bill (heck, all your bills) more affordable is to stop turning over so much of your paychecks to creditors each month. I think you know what I mean. Most of us have so much debt - whether it's from credit cards, car loans or medical bills - that we feel powerless to do anything but sit back and watch it grow. But with that sort of attitude, it's only going to get worse. Instead, it's time to step out of our comfort zones and make some financial changes that will ease that debt burden. Like cooler temperatures in your home, you can become accustomed to anything.
Try making a budget and sticking to it so you don't continue to spend more than you earn. Switching from credit to cash is another great strategy. And if you find your debt too big to manage alone, don't hesitate to get help.
At DebtStoppers, we can identify a bankruptcy plan that will reduce or eliminate your debts affordably, protect your assets from lenders and creditors and get you closer to financial freedom. And it's absolutely free when you sign up for a complimentary personal debt analysis with one of our Atlanta bankruptcy attorneys. Because stepping out of your comfort zone a little bit now can mean a more comfy financial future.