Clean Your Wallet

Warm weather allows you and your family to complete certain chores and participate in seasonal activities. Throughout your neighborhood, you may see people planting gardens, washing cars, and children playing in backyards. Below are some debt settlement money-saving tips that may help cool your wallet as the temperature heats up.
 
Save Money On Your Air Conditioner
 
You may want to prepare your air conditioning unit for hot and humid days. For example, keep all objects away from the air conditioning unit. Make it a habit to routinely remove grass and leaves from vents. These items will block airflow. For more tips, visit the Department of Energy's web site at www.energy.gov.
 
Consider Inexpensive Ways To Have Family Fun
 
Some families plan vacations during the spring and summer seasons and these excursions can be costly. Just because an elaborate vacation is not in your budget does not mean that you can't have fun. Discover the many activities that you can enjoy in your local community. Most libraries offer summer reading programs for children and adults. You can also rent movies at the library for free. Call your local zoos, museums, and amusement parks to see if they offer discounted rates on certain days or during specific times of the day.
 
Spring Clean Your Vehicle
 
Extreme temperatures may be difficult for your car to handle. Routine maintenance on your vehicle may help its performance and improve gas mileage. For example, have an oil change performed regularly and keep your tires properly inflated. Visit the Car Council's educational web site at www.carcare.org for more auto maintenance tips. Also, keep in mind that gas prices tend to skyrocket during the warmer months. Web sites such as www.gaspricewatch.com and www.gasbuddy.com track gas prices in your area and are updated by local volunteers. You can also save on gasoline by carpooling. Visit www.erideshare.com to search for local commuters that are going the same way you are or you may post your own listing.
 
Sell Items That You No Longer Use
 
During the spring season, some people shed all of their unwanted and unused items. Ebay is the largest online auction site and a good source to sell items that you no longer use. Visit their web site for more details on how to begin selling. You can also try your local Craigslist site to place an online classified ad for free to people in your area. Also consider placing ads in your local newspaper, host a garage sale, or check with the recreation department in your local community to see if there are any neighborhood flea market days. You may be able to reserve a table.
 
Save Money On Home Improvements
 
Many people perform home improvements in the spring and summer months. Although you may have to hire a professional for some complicated projects, you may be able to tackle some tasks yourself. A wealth of informational resources exist to teach you how to do home improvement jobs such as cleaning your gutters, painting, and installing a ceiling fan. Visit your local bookstore or library to find a comprehensive guide on do-it-yourself home improvements.
 
The Internet and television are also great sources. DIY Network brings you such cable shows as "DIY to the Rescue" and "DIY Be Your Own Contractor." You can also visit their information-packed web site located at www.diynet.com. This site features a wide array of do-it-yourself projects, with topics that range from home improvements to decorating.
 
Home Depot also offers free Do-It-Herself Workshops, Weekly Clinics, and Kids Workshops. Visit www.homedepotclinics.com to register at a Home Depot near you.