If you own your home, or have to pay for utilities if you rent, these costs can add up. And who doesn’t want to learn to save a few dollars here and there. Because even if you only save a few bucks per initiative, it adds up by the end of the year you’ll be looking at hundreds in savings.

We will look at different things you can do around your house to save on energy and money as well. Not to mention by using them wisely, you’re also effectively extending the life of your appliances which means you won’t have to buy them as often. Here are some of our best tips.

Refrigerator and Freezer

• Ensure your fridge/freezer is away from heat sources, including sunlight and the oven.
• Check on the door seal to make sure it hasn’t deteriorated over the years as you can lose energy that way
• Use an external thermometer to check on the temperature inside. Idea temperature for the fridge is between 35F to 37F, and for your free is -0.4F.
• When you clean your fridge, don’t forget the back and underneath. These areas can collect a lot of dust and debris and can affect the functionality of your fridge.
• Give your fridge at least three inches between the back of the fridge and the walls.

Dishwasher

• Use the energy-saving feature as often as possible.
• Don’t use the heat-dry function or opt to shut off the dishwasher after the rinse cycle is finished and leave the door open so the dishes dry au naturel.
• Always make sure your dishwasher is full when running it so you don’t waste water and energy.

Clothes Washer and Dryer

• Use cold water instead of warm or hot.
• Wash full loads of laundry instead of only doing small loads at a time.
• Remember to clean the dryer lint trap after each and every cycle. Make sure to vacuum the outside vent as well.
• Hang your clothes to dry instead of using your dryer whenever possible.
• Use the permanent press dryer setting instead of high heat when drying your clothes to save on energy.

Electronics

• Remember to turn off all your electronics, small appliances and even your home office equipment like computer and printer when you’re not using them.
• Connect multiple electronics to one power bar so you can easily turn off items with one quick switch
• Unplug any items not in use to reduce phantom power use.
• If your TV has a power-saver mode, use it.

Lighting

• Replace your old light bulbs with either CFL or LED light bulbs as they last longer and save on energy.
• Don’t turn the lights on during the day – natural light can brighten up a room.
• If you’re not in a room, turn off the lights. There’s no sense in wasting energy if it’s not being used.
• Make sure to clean the light bulbs and fixtures regularly since dust can affect the functionality of a light bulb.
• Reduce excess lighting by only focusing light where you need it with table lamps or track lighting.

It’s scary to think, but by the time lead paint was completely banned in the U.S. in 1978, it was used in almost 40 million homes. So the reality is, if your home was built before then (and hasn’t had some form of renovation), it likely still contains lead paint. And this can be harmful to your health and the health of your family. When dust from the paint settles on other surfaces around your home, these particles can easily be breathed in and contain harmful chemicals.

Facts About Lead Paint

Did you know that if you do, in fact, have a home pre-1980 that is going to be renovated, U.S. federal law states you must have a copy of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (or EPA’s) lead pamphlet [http://www2.epa.gov/sites/production/files/documents/renovaterightbookletbwsept2011.pdf].

Because removing the lead is dangerous as well, and requires a handling these materials carefully as well as disposing of them responsibly. And if the lead paint is starting to chip, peel or crack, it is even more poisonous and dangerous.

Did you also know that the older your home is, the more likely it is to have lead paint? In fact, 87% of American homes built before 1940 contains lead paint.

Removing Lead Paint

Make sure you hire contractors who are both knowledgeable and experienced at removing lead paint. It’s important not only to safely remove and dispose of the paint, but also to bring your home up to government standards to keep you and your loved ones safe.

Potential Health Effects of Lead Paint

If inhaled, lead can get into your blood stream and have detrimental effects to your health. This can result in high blood pressure, hypertension and reproductive problems as well kidney problems in adults.

In children, this can affect their learning and behavior, slow their growth, cause hearing problems and they can develop anemia. And, though rare, in more extreme cases lead can cause seizures, or the individual to fall into a coma and/or death.

Pregnant women are also particularly at risk. Lead that has been ingested over the long-term can be stored by the body in the bones. An expecting mother releases calcium from her bones to help her fetus grow and develop bones. This can affect the baby by causing premature birth and growth defects.

To learn more about lead, its harmful effects and dealing with lead safely, visit the EPA’s website:http://www2.epa.gov/lead.

Buying your first home is an exciting achievement and frightening proposition at the same time. It is one of the biggest purchases you will likely ever make in your lifetime. One that will leave a lump in your throat but will make you proud and happy when you get the keys the first time!

Saving for the down payment is quite a hefty ask, and is something most first-time home buyers struggle with. Here are a few other things to consider before making that big decision.

Renting or buying?

Depending on the market, the loan rates, property taxes and more, it might not be the right time for you to purchase your first home. Use the Trulia.com rent or buy calculator to find out if buying is a sound option for you [http://www.trulia.com/rent_vs_buy/].

Debt

If you have debt, including credit cards, student loans, etc, focus your financial resources to paying down or clearing your debt altogether. As debt is a factor in securing a mortgage, the less debt you have, the more you are likely to be able to borrow from the bank, and the more they are likely to lend you as well.

Steady Income

Speaking of banks, when shopping around for a mortgage, banks require you to have a steady source of income to prove you’ll be able to pay off your monthly dues. So whether you’re self-employed or working for ‘The Man’ make sure you can show you’ll be able to stick to your financial commitments.

Study The Market

Take this pre-purchase time to study the market and learn about housing prices in your preferred neighborhoods. Remember, markets fluctuate and by knowing what houses (or condos) are going for and what is going in the market, you’ll be better equipped to jump when you find your ideal home.

Credit Scores Matter

Aside from your debt, lenders will also consider your credit score. A credit score can be elevated by paying off your bills (credit cards, phone, rent, etc) on time and in full. If you cannot afford your bills, you probably need to reconsider home-ownership at this time.

Budgets and Planning

Plan your budget and try to live within it. Play around with the “Affordability Calculator” on Zillow.com [http://www.zillow.com/mortgage-calculator/house-affordability/] to find out what you might be able to afford. Then practice for a few months to see if it’s reasonable or if you’ll be left house-poor. It’s great to say you own your home, but if you can’t afford anything else, it’s not much fun after that.