Housing

1. Scrutinize your bills!
2. Check your insurance coverages
3. Choose affordable housing
4. Don't try to "keep up with the Joneses"
5. Skype instead of paying long distance.
6. Caulk and seal up your home - weatherproof anything you can touch
7. Unplug what doesn't need to be draining power
8. Were you raised in a barn?
9. Turn down your thermostat in the winter and up in the summer
10. Reverse your ceiling fans for the proper season
11. Close off unused rooms in your house
12. Reduce your stuff and don't pay for storage
13. Turn down water heater
14. Stay on top of home maintenance
15. Don't wash clothes using hot
16. Run full loads of dishes and clothing
17. Use your dishwasher
18. Use a programmable thermostat
    
    
19. Take short showers
20. Open blinds for lighting
21. Open windows for circulation
22. Clean or replace hvac filters regularly
23. Use washable hvac filters
24. Line dry or rack dry when possible
25. Rent a room in your home (if it's legal in your community)
26. Cancel your home phone if everyone has a cell phone
27. Comparison shop for your regular subscriptions occasionally - better cell plans, cheaper insurance
28. Apply for assistance; utilities, wic, food stamps
29. Consider free internet options; wifi @ starbucks or library computers
30. Turn the lights off when you leave a room - or install automatic lights
31. CFLs
32. Downsize your housing as much as possible
33. Start with an affordable home location.
34. Live in a neighborhood that's below your status
35. Maintain your home so it maintains its value
36. Pay ahead on your mortgage.
37. Autopay!
38. Plant a shade tree to shade part of your house
39. Water your lawn when it's cool enough to not evaporate
40. Invest in drought tolerant grass that needs little water
41. Replace shower heads with low flow and toilets with small tanks/low use
42. Catch rain water for gardens
43. Turn off water not being used while brushing teeth
44. Use automatic lighting: nightlights only in the dark, motion sensor porch light instead of being left on
45. Reuse your bath towel
46. Needs, Wants, Future
47. Renting vs Buying
48. Analyze where the money is going

Better to rent or buy a home calculator - amazing!

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/upshot/buy-rent-calculator.html