Champ Money

Sure, we all know about the convenience of the microwave oven, but what about the power savings?

On average, the microwave uses about half the energy as the standard range.

The microwave isn’t the ideal candidate for all dishes, but with some tips from books such as “Microwave Gourmet” cookbook, you would be surprised and what does work well.

You can easily save $40+ per year by using the microwave instead of the range, your food will be ready in a fraction of the time, and you won’t be heating your house up in the summer.

If you are a property owner with a decent amount of acreage, don’t overlook the potential for some easy income.

Depending on your location, communication companies could be very interested in placing cell towers on your property.

While there are obviously some restrictions and zoning considerations, and a cellular provider must have the need for a tower in your location, the rewards can be very lucrative for the property, offering a lasting residual income.

When is the best time to get your chimney swept?

During the summer when you can easily find off-season pricing offers.

Like many things, a bit of planning ahead could save you a good amount of money. In this case, about $50 per flue. Additionally, it’s easier to schedule the cleaning at your convenience since there won’t be a waiting list.

Replace central-air-conditioning filters every month during the summer to keep air flowing freely through the ducts and reduce strain on the blower motor.

You should be able to find good quality filters at a cost of about 3 for $11.

While filters won’t really filter the air in your home to a great extent, they do keep dust and mold from collecting on condenser coils, extending the equipment’s life.

With the arrival of spring each year, many Americans feel the calling of the open road and the urge to ride their motorcycles along the countryside. Or, possibly, even purchase a new motorcycle.

While there is no other mode of transportation quite as exhilarating as a motorcycle, there are also few that are as dangerous. Even the best riders have to cope with inattentive, rude, and just plain stupid automobile drivers. Imagine how many motorcycle accident lawyers Los Angeles must be supporting.

We encourage anyone with an interest in motorcycles to ride. They are economical, inexpensive, and fun. But, ride with caution. You need to be 10 times more alert than the person driving the car beside you.

Install dimmer switches and use energy-efficient halogen bulbs, rather than incandescents. Dimmable CFLs are even thriftier, but some flicker at low power.

There are some initial costs for the dimmer switch and bulbs, but each fixture should provide about $20 savings over three years.

Keep an open mind when conducting a job search in this tight market. Your opportunities will be greater if you look within industries other than your current one.

Look also at the fields most likely to experience growth when the recovery takes place, such as medical and “green” jobs.

If earning a medical degree isn’t practical, consider medical coding training courses, or similar training to get your foot in the door.

The best approach is preparation. Be ready when the jobs become available, because if you’re not, others will be.

Squeeze every last bit of savings from your water heater – Turn down the thermostat on it. It’s probably set at 140 degrees F to shorten the wait time for a steamy shower. But 120 or even 110 degrees is plenty hot.

This only takes a few seconds and can save you $30 or more per year on gas, oil, electricity, or propane.

Bonus: Your kids are less likely to scald themselves if the max water temperature is 120.

Obtaining an insurance quote online is very easy to do, and usually pretty quick. This is true for auto insurance, as well as homeowners and life.

But we’ve discovered that it’s not always best to get the quote online only.

Instead, gather several online insurance quotes, and then call the companies that you’re most interested in. While online quotes are an excellent tool, often times a live person can suggest additional discounts that might not have been included in the online quote.

Did you know that you can make your own cleaning solutions using inexpensive kitchen staples, such as white vinegar and baking soda? If not, try a web search for “The Green Guide” for some specific recipes.

Not only will you end up with a more environmentally friendly cleaning product, you’ll save upwards of $50 compared to commercial cleaners.