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5 Easy Ways to Save Money When Traveling

Traveling to new places can be fun and exciting but the expenses themselves can quickly rack up. Some costs are going to be unavoidable, but you can lower your total price if you use some of these strategies!

Be truthful to yourself when booking a room

When booking a room, you will quickly learn that there are many options to choose from. Most hotels offer countless amenities that seldom get used. Consider what resources you will actually need during your stay. If you are barely going to be in your room all day, consider opting for a smaller room with a less-impressive view. Also, decide if you are going to be using your hotel’s pool or gym. If you are not, try finding a hotel that does not offer one, which may lower the price of your room overall.

Take advantage of your hotel’s amenities

Your hotel will most likely offer a complimentary breakfast, so check to see if they are serving one. On top of that, try out the coffee in your room to save yourself the time and money it would take to go out and buy a fresh cup of coffee at a café. “Dining in” will allow yourself to get fueled up early in the morning and have more time to explore where you are traveling. If you have leftovers from any of your meals, keep them in your room’s refrigerator to use as a “free” snack later.

Book at a central location

If you are going to be sightseeing around the city, consider booking your hotel in a central area of town. This should place you within walking distance of more places. See if there is a subway, bus route, or if your hotel has a shuttle as a cheaper alternative to calling multiple taxis.

Check for free activities

There is almost always going to be a free activity in the area that you are traveling to. If it seems there isn’t, consider merely going on a stroll through the new area you are exploring and take in some of the sights and views it has to offer. Often, cities will offer free outdoor movie showings, museums, fireworks, and so much more, so make sure you search to see if any activities are going on where you are traveling and what days they are available.

BYOS (Bring Your Own Snacks)

If you are planning a long day of exploring the city, make sure to bring snacks with you. This is even more important if you are traveling with children. Having snacks with you will quickly add up savings from not having to buy vendors’ snacks. This will also help you make it through the day with three solid meals versus having to continuously purchase munchies along the way. Pack waters with you as well to stay hydrated and avoid overpaying for a single bottle of water.

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8 Tips to Save Water in Your Home

Save money and energy by limiting your water consumption, all while helping out the environment!

  1. Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth.

It may not seem like a long period of time for the water to be running while brushing your teeth, but if you continue to have it running every time you brush your teeth, this adds up to a lot of wasted water.

  1. Defrost naturally

Defrost your frozen items by moving them into your fridge or let them sit out for a couple hours to naturally defrost instead of running them under water.

  1. Don’t use your toilet as a trashcan

It can be tempting sometimes to just throw your trash into the toilet and flush it.  This is a huge waste of water as well as unsafe for where the trash will end up after being flushed.

  1. Limit your shower time

Every once in a while everyone needs a long relaxing shower, but often try to limit the time you spend in the shower.

  1. Reuse leftover drinking water

Instead of dumping out the last little bit of water left in your cups after a meal, put all of the water into a pitcher.  Use this leftover water to water your plants or boil it next time you are cooking.

  1. Use your dishwasher when you can

If you don’t have to hand-wash your dishes, don’t.  Dishwashers use significantly less water by washing multiple dishes at once.

  1. Compost

Instead of using your garbage disposal, try composting your trash.  This limits the water used to flush your food down the drain.

  1. Strategically time when you water your lawn

Try to water your lawn when it is cooler outside, so in the morning or evening.  This will prevent water loss due to evaporation.  Also, don’t water your lawn when it is windy out so you don’t lose water from it being blown away.

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How to Save Electricity During the Summer

It’s hard to try to limit your electricity usage in the summer, especially with all the heat we have seen this season! Here are our favorite tips to help you cut back!

1. Natural Light

During the day, open your curtains and blinds to light up a room without turning on a single light.

2. Turn off Unused Lights

When leaving a room, make it a habit to turn all the lights off. Even if you are going to be going back into that room in a short amount of time, all these small savings will add up!

3. Unplug

Even when your electronics are not in use, but are still plugged into the outlet, they are still using electricity. Unplug all chargers, appliances, etc. when they are not in use.

4. Run the Air Conditioner less

When you’re not home, turn your air conditioner off, or turn it up to a much higher temperature than what it is on while you’re home. This will reduce a massive amount of energy used to produce cold air when it is not needed.

5. Use your Windows

On a breezy day, consider turning off your air conditioner and open your windows instead to get natural air flow.

6. Reduce kitchen heat

Try making less meals that require frequent usage of your oven, stove, or microwave. Try grilling or making no-bake foods instead.

7. Wash laundry in cold water

Using cold water instead of warm or hot water will reduce the energy it takes to heat up the hot water.

8. Smart refrigeration

First, try to not hold the fridge open for multiple minutes at a time while deciding what food to eat. Second, make sure the fridge is set at its recommended temperature.

9. Air-dry

Air-drying your dishes on a dish rack versus heat drying them in your dishwasher can save you money. You can also apply this tip to your clothes by hanging them up to air-dry instead of putting them in your dryer.

10. Naturally defrost

When cooking something from the freezer, naturally defrost it. Let it sit out for a couple hours until it is not frozen anymore. This will help you save the energy you would have had to use to defrost it in the microwave. This will also allow it to defrost to its natural texture, instead of possibly being cooked unevenly in the microwave.