March 31, 2010

Spring Savings Ideas

The following is a guest post from Fred, who writes for Best Credit Cards.

Spring is an exciting time of the year filled with new growth, longer days and warmer weather. So as you begin enjoying the changing of the seasons, look for ways you can also make some spring savings.

1. Seasonal spring fruit and vegetables

The arrival of spring brings with it a new crop of fruits and vegetables which have probably been missed from your kitchen table. Therefore, take the opportunity to buy seasonal produce as this can save you money in planning healthy meals to avoid having take away and wasted food. Buying seasonal produce also saves on food miles and helps the environment.

2. Spring on outdoors

With the weather warming up and the sun staying up for longer too, take the opportunity to get outside with your friends, family, partner or your dog. Heading outside in spring not only means you can get more fresh air and exercise, but it also means that when you leave the house you are turning off the lights, the TV and the game consoles and in turn conserving power and reducing your energy bill.

3. Take notice of the changes in the weather

Going from the office to your home and back again every day, you can easily miss the change in the seasons. Instead, make a point to open your curtains and your windows and let in the new spring changes. The weather really is getting warmer as spring settles in, so open a window to let in a breeze before automatically turning on the heater, and open up the curtains to let in more natural light, rather than turning on the lights inside your home and consuming unnecessary power.

4. Make your spring garden affordable

It is hard to stay out of the garden once spring has sprung so make some money saving changes to your gardening habits to save money outside this spring too. For example, if you are planning a new lawn for your backyard, plant lawn seeds rather than spending money on expensive instant turf. Spring is also the perfect time to start your own veggie garden so you can enjoy free fruit and vegetables for your table all through the warmer months.

5. Spring cleaning saves money

There are a number of ways you can save money as you commence your spring clean this year. For example, if you are looking to replace new appliances or install a new air conditioning unit for the coming summer, be sure to look at the energy ratings on your new purchases. If you’re looking at new appliances such as washing machines or dishwashers, check their water ratings to save on your water usage bill.

It's easy to find spring money saving ideas around your home and garden if you just start looking, so make this spring the tastiest, freshest and most affordable one yet.

Fred is a personal finance writer. He helps people to compare the best credit cards online.

Readers, please share your own spring savings ideas in the Comments section.

2 comments:

Catherine said...

Thanks for the great tips, Fred! Here are a few of mine:

Hang out your laundry to dry in the sun to save on your energy bill. I hang dry indoors year-round on racks in my apartment, but I would love to hang dry in a yard.

Clothing swaps are a fun and free way to acquire new clothes/accessories. Get some light refreshments (lemonade, seasonal fruit, cookies) and go "shopping!" Donate leftovers to charity.

There are lots of park clean-ups in my area for Earth Day and springtime. It's great exercise (no gym membership needed) and you can do your part for the planet.

Angela said...

Great ideas, Catherine! Thanks.

I love clothing swaps. And that's a great idea to sign up for a park clean up for Earth Day.