The devastation left in the path of hurricane Irene underscores the need to take care of your things. Why invest in the same item twice if you don't have to?
Would that window have been broken if the time had been taken to board it up or cut that limb? Home repairs are expensive enough! The demand for building materials has just risen, due to the amount of destruction. How many items were destroyed that could have been saved with a little forethought?
When it comes to money, sometimes being overcautious is the way to go. If flooding is expected, get as much as possible off of the floor. Hindsight is 20/20 - learn from the experience!
Salvage what you can. Tree limbs down? Take out the chainsaw and cut it up for firewood. Clean up flood damage yourself. It costs less to purchase a dehumidifier and/or sump pump and contractor trash bags than to hire a company to clean it up for you. Get some exercise while raking up the yard.
Every experience in life offers an opportunity to learn something. Take note of what can be done differently next time the situation presents itself. Protect your possessions so you do not have to reinvest in them.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Saving Money On Gas
The simplest, easiest way to save on gas is to walk. Think about it - do you really need to drive 1/2 mile to the store to pick up milk? Walking not only saves money, it benefits your health and well being. Take an umbrella if it is raining. You can always ride a bicycle if your destination is more than walking distance. Invest in saddle bags or a basket to carry your purchases on the bike safely.
If you live in a rural area, start planning your trips. Write down everything you are going to need for the week, and purchase it all at once. This saves money not only on gas, but a single trip means you face the temptation of impulse purchasing only once.
Buddy up with a friend or two to get errands done, taking only one car. This way the gas only costs a fraction of what it would if you traveled alone, as it can be split between you. Grab a backpack and take public transportation if it's available. Use your imagination to come up with viable transportation options.
Take advantage of car pools, where the participants take turns driving to work. If they are not offered by your employer or state transportation group, ask around the office to see who lives in your area.
If you think back 100 years, when a trip to the store in town was an all day affair, you will realize that those people did just fine planning out what was going to be needed. Today's convenience comes at a price, and the more you rely on it, the more you will end up paying.
If you live in a rural area, start planning your trips. Write down everything you are going to need for the week, and purchase it all at once. This saves money not only on gas, but a single trip means you face the temptation of impulse purchasing only once.
Buddy up with a friend or two to get errands done, taking only one car. This way the gas only costs a fraction of what it would if you traveled alone, as it can be split between you. Grab a backpack and take public transportation if it's available. Use your imagination to come up with viable transportation options.
Take advantage of car pools, where the participants take turns driving to work. If they are not offered by your employer or state transportation group, ask around the office to see who lives in your area.
If you think back 100 years, when a trip to the store in town was an all day affair, you will realize that those people did just fine planning out what was going to be needed. Today's convenience comes at a price, and the more you rely on it, the more you will end up paying.
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