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Ways to Save Energy and Slash Electricity Bills
1. Lighting & Light Bulbs Install low energy light bulbs in rooms you use regularly - they last up to 15 times longer than a normal light bulb and provide the same lighting for a quarter of the running cost. Turn off the lights when you leave a room for a long period and don't use several light bulbs where one will do the job. Teach all family members to turn off lights when leaving a room. 2. TV, Hi-Fi & Radio Turn off the TV or video and hi-fi rather than leaving it on standby. Always use the television's on/off switch. Leaving the television on standby wastes energy. 3. Cooking Microwave ovens reduce cooking time by 15% to 20% and save energy. When boiling vegetables, use just enough water to keep them covered. Use a jug kettle that has a water level gauge to ensure you only heat the amount of water you need. Cover saucepans with lids whenever possible to reduce the cooking time. 4. Home Laundry & Dishwashers Save electricity by using old-fashioned clothesline for clothes drying. Avoid drying clothes on radiators as it lowers the room temperature, making your boiler work harder. Shut off dishwasher for dry cycle. Let your dishes "air dry". Don't use dishwasher or laundry equipment until you have a full load. 5. Fridges & Fridge Freezers Make sure your refrigerator and freezer door seals are airtight. Let hot foods cool before placing them in the refrigerator. Defrost refrigerator regularly - when about 1/4 inch of ice has formed. Place your refrigerator in the coolest part of the kitchen - away from cookers, heaters and out of direct sunlight. 6. Heating Turn off electric water heater when going away for vacations or weekends. Turn your heating down rather than opening a window to reduce the room temperature. Never cover radiators with curtains or furniture as this reduces their efficiency and wastes valuable heat. When going on long holidays, remember to switch your water heating off. 7. Work Tools Use hand tools in your workshop instead of power tools. 8. Appliances When shopping for new appliances, ask about energy-efficient models. Buy appliances on the basis of cost plus operating costs, not price alone. Limit the use of appliances that use over 1,000 watts. Keep appliances clean and in good working order. They'll use less energy. 9. Bills Check all energy bills closely. Errors can be costly. 10. Insulation & Air conditioning Insulating your attic will save on operating air conditioning (also heating). If your walls are suitable, cavity wall insulation will substantially reduce heat loss. Keep air conditioning condenser shaded from sun or on north side of house. Turn off air conditioning when no one is home. Copyright © 2005. Chileshe Mwape writes for TheCheap Electricity Guide website at: http://www.cheap-electricity-guide.org.uk/ and he's also a regular contributor to the Ways2Save website at: http://www.ways2save.org.uk/. This article may be reprinted as long as all the above links are active and clickable.
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03/26/2024
New Robinhood Credit Card Will Earn 3% Back on Most Purchases - NerdWallet
The Robinhood Gold Card won't have an annual fee, but to get the card you must be a Robinhood Gold member, which costs $5 a month as of this writing.
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03/26/2024
3 Ways AI Could Transform Your Insurance Policy - NerdWallet
As insurers use artificial intelligence to make better predictions, AI technology could spur major changes for insurance customers. Learn more about what to expect.
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03/26/2024
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03/26/2024
Financial News - NerdWallet
NerdWallet reporters bring you the latest in financial news, with a focus on what it means for your wallet.
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03/26/2024
Lottery Pool? Take These Precautions Before Diving In - NerdWallet
A lottery pool can be a thrilling way to socialize with coworkers. But if luck strikes, the stakes can be a lot higher. Here's how to avoid legal tangles.
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03/26/2024
Latest FAFSA Error Affects Aid for 200K, Offers for Everyone Else - NerdWallet
The Education Department miscalculated the financial need of roughly 200,000 dependent students who submitted FAFSAs before March 21 — nearly 15% of processed forms. Those students could get less aid than they expect, and everyone else might face further delays.
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03/26/2024
What’s at Stake as the Supreme Court Hears an Abortion Pill Case? - NerdWallet
The U.S. Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments in FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, a case that could limit access to mifepristone.
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03/26/2024
Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards of March 2024 - NerdWallet
Save money while getting out of debt by doing a balance transfer: Moving debt to a card with a 0% introductory interest rate and low fees.
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03/26/2024
Best 0% APR and Low Interest Credit Cards of March 2024 - NerdWallet
Using a credit card with an introductory 0% APR period can save you big money when financing a major purchase. See all of our expert recommendations.
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03/26/2024
Best Cash Back Credit Cards of March 2024 - NerdWallet
Cash back is the most flexible credit card reward, since you can use it for anything. Our list will help you find the perfect card for the way you spend.
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03/26/2024
New Breeze Airways Credit Card Takes Flight With Up to 10X Back - NerdWallet
Airline also launches Breezy Rewards, the airline’s loyalty program, which supercharges rewards earned with the credit card.
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03/25/2024
Buying Life Insurance if You're Transgender - NerdWallet
Your gender identity doesn’t impact your eligibility for life insurance, but there are a few things to be aware of when you apply. Learn more now.
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03/25/2024
Egg and Chocolate Prices Are Hopping — Just in Time for Easter - NerdWallet
Bad weather and disease are straining the supply of cocoa. Meanwhile, another outbreak of bird flu is pushing up egg prices again.
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03/24/2024
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Jae Bratton is a writer on the credit cards team at NerdWallet.
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03/24/2024
Mega Millions, Powerball Jackpots Near Combined $2 Billion - NerdWallet
The Mega Millions jackpot is now $1.1 billion, while Powerball has grown to $865 million. Mega Millions will be drawn on Tuesday night; Powerball on Wednesday.
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03/23/2024
Government Shutdown Threat Finally Put to Rest — For Now - NerdWallet
Congress missed its midnight deadline, but shortly thereafter approved the final set of appropriations in a $1.2 trillion spending package. The last-minute deal prevents a government shutdown that would have furloughed government workers.
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03/22/2024
Alaska Access: The New Subscription Service from Alaska Airlines - NerdWallet
Like its existing Flight Pass subscription, Alaska Access could be a good deal for frequent Alaska flyers looking to get the best deals with the airline.
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03/20/2024
American Airlines To Add Streaming and Free Wi-Fi - NerdWallet
American Airlines says it will be the first airline to offer video streaming capabilities on its entire mainline fleet. It is also offering free Wi-Fi with ads.
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03/20/2024
Fed Chair Powell: Rate Cut Risks Are ‘Two-Sided’ - NerdWallet
For the fifth time in a row, the Federal Reserve paused the federal funds rate at 5.25%-5.50% as Americans continue to wait for lower rates to cut costs on mortgages, credit cards and other loans.
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03/20/2024
Tailpipe Emission Rules Give Automakers More Time to Ramp Up EVs - NerdWallet
New stricter rules for vehicle emissions are expected to roll out more slowly than initially proposed last year, which gives automakers more time to beef up electric vehicle stock.
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03/20/2024
Powerball Hits $750M as Mega Million Jackpot Nears $1B - NerdWallet
The estimated Mega Millions jackpot is $977 million, while Powerball has grown to $750 million. Drawings are Friday and Saturday respectively.
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03/18/2024
How Is the Economy Doing? - NerdWallet
The state of the economy is generally strong and inflation is slowing down, but still remains elevated. The Federal Reserve is looking at key economic indicators to signal it’s time to cut rates.
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03/18/2024
Caitlin Mims, Content Mangement Specialist - NerdWallet
Caitlin Mims is a content management specialist on the credit cards team at NerdWallet. She has covered credit cards, credit scores and retirement planning.
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03/15/2024
What the Big Realtors Settlement Means for Home Buyers and Sellers - NerdWallet
A landmark legal settlement between home sellers and the real estate industry could complicate negotiations, let home sellers keep more of the sales proceeds, and require buyers to negotiate how their agents would be paid.
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03/15/2024
Biden’s Battle Against Junk Fees Turns to Colleges, Student Loans - NerdWallet
The Biden administration, in its efforts to curb junk fees, is proposing eliminating origination fees for federal student loans in addition to other fees that college students pay.
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