Five Ways to Save Money During the Economic Crisis

The wild dropping of Wall Street has sent the entire world's economy into a tailspin, along with the fall of the stock market.   The changing of the banking industry means that not only will retirement, college and other long-term planning have to be changed, but how we conduct our everyday lives as well.   With the uncertainty about our economic future and with the severe credit crunch closing possibilities of loans or mortgages, everyone is trying to figure out ways they can lower expenses and save money.

Here are five ideas to save money during this financial crunch:

1.  Cut your cable TV and landline phone services.  With YouTube, Hulu, and all the major newspapers and cable news shows providing websites with streaming videos, it is unnecessary to hold on to cable.  you can watch complet TV shows and movies online, and get up to the minute news through the internet.

Landline phones are also an unneeded expense.  Cell phones offer plans at much lower rates, and you can arrange special deals for subscriptions among your families and relatives.  Cell phones are portable and allow you to be reach almost anywhere.

2.  Use your car less.  Not only will you save on gas, you will not wear out your car as quickly, saving on maintenance and possible repairs.  Get used to walking and biking whenever possible. 

3.  Alter your eating habits.  Change you and your family's menu and eating habits.  Aim to cook all of your meals at home, seven days of the week.  Plan simple meals that are easy to make with basic staple ingredients.  Shop carefully at bulk discount stores to get the best deals, and make sure you purchase products that you will completely use.  Plan ahead and cook extra food on the weekends, or when you have time, and store them in the freezer.  Use them on the days you don't have time to cook.

4.  Reduce entertainment expenses.  There are many activites that you can enjoy with family and friends that don't cost money.  Instead of paying for a gym membership, stay in shape by hiking, running or bicycling.  Instead of a dinner at a fancy, expensive restaurant, spend time  with your loved one outside with a picnic that you cooked yourself, or cook a meal to eat by candlelight.  Instead of going to a movie theater, rent DVDs that you can watch at home, or borrow DVDS as well as books from your local public library for free.

5.  Change your gift giving ideas for the holidays.  Everybody is going through a difficult time now.  It is not unreasonable to speak with your family and friends and decide on a buy nothing policy for the upcoming holiday.  Give a gift of your time or talents instead.  Share your baked goods or homemade crafts.  Give someone 20 hours of your time to help them clean out their garage or paint their house.  There are countless ways to give that do not require money.

CHORES PROGRAM

Spring is here!  It's time to get rid of a winter's worth of dust and grime.  Here are 8 major hot spots you shouldn't miss ...

1.  Make doormats welcoming.  Shake, wash and swat them with a broom  Give them the toughest cleaning they can take.

2.  Clean carpets and upholstery.  Fabrics will need a deep cleaning to get them ready for another year of wear.

3.  Finish your floors.  Use a floor cleaner that cleans, shines or both.  It's best to follow label directions for proper use of each product. 

4.  Wash walls, cabinets, baseboards and woodwork. 

5.  Vacuum.

6.  Clean your ceiling fixtures.  Remove dust and dirt from ceiling fans and air-conditioner vents with a cloth and a vacuum with a soft nozzle attachment.

7.  Clean your light fixtures.  A few minutes with a stepladder, all-purpose cleaner, a sponge, and a polish cloth will give new light to your life.

8.  Check your coils.  You should clean the refrigerator's condenser coil, usually found behind the toe grille with a long-handled bottle brush and a vacuum cleaner with an attachment hose to remove dust and lint.  Built-up dust can shut down the unit by causing it to overheat.

 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROGRAM

   


  
  The Gear Up for Child Safety program continues to provide safety equipment and education to Howard County families with children 4 years and under, who are referred by a local agency or church.  The program includes a thorough safety evaluation of the home, education for the parent, and safety equipment such as car seats, pack n plays, baby gates, and more.  We are very excited to have this opportunity to provide true primary prevention to these families through a grant that has been funded by the Department of Child Services.  Statistics show this type of home education is effective in reducing unintentional injury to children.