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The Dollar Stretcher

Energy-Saving Myths That Don’t Actually Lower Your Bills

Published 2 months ago • 3 min read

Sunday, March 8 | Volume 31, Number 24

​View this issue in your web browser​

A Free eBook for You

Reminder — subscribers can download the free 226 Money-Saving Tips eBook. If you want a copy, you don’t need to submit your email address on the website.

Simply view the ebook here and download it to your device.

Also, on Wednesday, we're releasing a second eBook — 785 Dollar Stretcher Reader Tips for Making a Tight Budget Stretch Further. Check Wednesday's newsletter for a 50% subscriber discount link.
​Andrea​
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We used to own a discount drapery and upholstery fabric store. We helped people decorate for less.
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We recommend either sewing curtains and draperies yourself or hiring someone to do it for a fair price. Family, neighbors, church and the local senior center are excellent places to inquire. Someone always knows someone else who sews! By being frugal with fabric selection and avoiding high labor costs, you can get beautiful window treatments for very little money.
DF

​Energy-Saving Myths That Don’t Actually Lower Your Bills​

This quick-read separates myth from reality and shows where your energy-saving effort will actually pay off, so you can stop chasing tiny savings and target the changes that make a real difference.
I buy premium food from a website (Chewy.com) that offers a significant discount for subscribing to autoship for future orders. The only caveat is that it may take an order or two to figure out the delivery frequency. Such sites are also often cheaper for prescription pet food and pet meds if you need these, and you don’t have to visit multiple brick-and-mortar locations to find products that are not available at every pet store. These online sites are very easy for your veterinarian to use as well. I sometimes regret not “shopping locally,” but given the cost of gasoline and the value of my time, I find that autoshipping from an online retailer I trust is the best fit for my budget and my pets.
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Another thing I am trying with my two new puppies is being more thoughtful about the ingredients in the food I buy for them. My previous dogs and the daddy of my pups were/are dogs of a breed known for skin allergies and stomach issues. I am avoiding foods containing chicken protein as an ingredient and buying foods with novel proteins instead. I don’t know if avoiding chicken protein will lessen my pups’ chances of allergies and related issues, but it’s worth a try! Unfortunately, many foods that are not marketed as chicken-flavored actually contain chicken parts, so it takes some label-reading to figure out what to buy.
Janey

​Surprising Uses for Cat Litter (Even If You Don’t Own a Cat)​

Cat litter can do a lot more than one job. Here are simple ways to use plain clay litter around the house to solve everyday problems and maybe cut a few small expenses in the process.

Grocery shopping was always frustrating until I learned how to plan. When the grocery flyers come out, I check each one to see what is on sale and where. Then I plan.
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Each meal is scheduled based on what is on sale. I have cut my grocery bill by about $30 per week. Now I only have to check that the products I don't buy weekly will last until my next trip to the store.
Deb

​Simple Habits To Save Money Shopping Online (Almost Every Time)​

Online shopping makes it easy to overspend without noticing. These practical tips help you lower your total before you click “Place Order” — without chasing every sale or coupon code or downloading a dozen apps.
Avoid falling for fake bargains. Be careful when you see a price tag showing a high original price and a comparatively low "sale" price. Those are often designed to trigger a person's impulse to scoop up perceived bargains. The "original price" shown isn't necessarily true or accurate. There may be a bargain to be had, but there may not. And if the price coaxes you to buy something you don't need, there isn't any bargain at all. Do your homework before purchasing luxury items or items you hadn't considered buying until you saw the sale.
Bonny

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Reader Tips are edited for length and readability. The Dollar Stretcher is an Amazon Associate and may earn a small commission at no cost to you if you click on a link and make a purchase.

The Dollar Stretcher website's content, products and services are for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial advice. The information should not be used as a substitute for professional financial advice. The Dollar Stretcher encourages you to make any financial decisions with your financial advisor, planner or other financial professional. The Dollar Stretcher is owned by Jackiranda Media, LLC.

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The Dollar Stretcher

Andrea Norris-McKnight, Publisher & Money-Saving Strategist

Get practical money-saving ideas for everyday expenses, plus a free eBook with 226 simple tips you can use whenever you need them. No extreme frugality. No complicated systems. Just practical help that works in real life.

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