Saving money at home and on the go is always a good idea. And lurking within the walls of your home are ways you may not even be aware of that can help keep you on the right financial track! 

Bundle your insurance. Having two different insurance companies for your home and your automobile can cost much more than bundling the two together. Shop around to see what kind of savings you can get if you insure both of these items with one company. 

Plant trees. Planting trees in strategic locations can help keep the sunshine out during the day and in return, keep your home cooler. If it’s possible, plant one on the east side and the west side of your garden to keep the early morning and late afternoon sunshine outside where it belongs. 

Turn down the water heater. For every 10 degrees you decrease the temperature on your water heater, you’ll save 3% to 5%. A reasonable temperature is 120 degrees. 

Keep the closets closed. Closets are real estate in your home that don’t need to be cooled or heated. By closing the doors, you’re not using unnecessary HVAC resources in places that don’t require it. 

A toast to the toaster oven! Don’t use an oven when a toaster oven will do. You’ll not just keep from heating up the kitchen (which can be uncomfortable in the summer), you’ll save 50% to 70% less energy. Most toaster ovens can easily hold a pizza and a pan of cookies. 

Toss the dryer sheets. For the price of purchasing dryer sheets over and over again, you can invest in dryer balls which will do the same thing. If you want to add scent to your laundry you can drop a few essential oils onto the dryer balls before you throw them in. 

Turn the dryer down. While we’re on the topic of laundry, try using a lower heat setting on your dryer. You may have to test out a few loads, but you will learn which fabrics don’t require as much heat to dry which will save energy and money. 

If you’re trying to save up for a new home, then heeding these tips may make good sense for you and put some extra cash in the bank, so you can realize your home ownership dream sooner than later. Come tour our models located throughout the Central Valley to see which home to save for!