Prices for everything seem to be on the rise, whether you’re at the gas station or the grocery store. But there’s no reason to just sit back and let all the rising prices get to you! There are a few simple, and many times free, things you can do to help cut expenses in your life: from the grocery store to car insurance to heating and cooling bills. You might be surprised at your options, and most of them will cost you little or no money to do!

Saving in the Summer Heat
1. Use your Ceiling Fans! Just one fan in a room can make it feel 6 or 7 degrees cooler, and running your ceiling fan costs less than running your air conditioner to feel those same cooling effects.
2. Use your Air Conditioning Wisely. Don’t place anything that produces heat, like a lamp or TV, near your thermostat. They’ll only make your AC work harder and run more, increasing your cooling costs.
3. Use a Programmable Thermostat. And program your settings so that the AC doesn’t run for long stretches during the day when no one is home or at night when it’s cooler outside.
4. Stop Cooling the Outdoors! If you have leaks in seals around windows, doors, or duct work, you’re just letting all that cool air escape. Caulk or weather stripping will help with the doors and windows, and insulation will help with the duct work in your attic, crawlspace, or garage.

Saving When It’s Time to Buy A Car
1. Qualify for Independent Financing. You don’t have to get a loan at the dealership! Get pre-approved for a car loan elsewhere (hey, how about at GEMC FCU?) and upgrade your shopper status to “cash buyer”. You’ll have more negotiating power that way.
2. Know What Cars Cost. The Credit Union can help you learn what your dream car costs, so you’ll be a stronger negotiator when it comes time to get down to business with that dealer.
3. Avoid Long Term Loans. The monthly payment on a seven- or eight-year loan might be low, but you’ll end up paying much more in the long run.
4. Ask About Penalties. If the loan you’re looking at has fees for paying it off early, then just walk away. GEMC FCU will never charge you a penalty for paying your loan off early.
5. Take Advantage of the GEMC FCU Partnership with Car Solutions! Once you try them, you’ll see that Tony Tillis and Car Solutions is the only way to go when purchasing a new or previously owned vehicle. Tony will search new and used car lots to get you the vehicle you want at the price you want to pay. Plus, when you finance through GEMC FCU you’ll receive a 1/2% discount on your loan rate. And, for a limited time only, that discount rate will also come with a free tank of gas! Savings all around!

Saving on Car Insurance
1. Carpool or Drive Less. Some insurers offer “low-mileage” discounts to folks who carpool or have shorter-than-average drives to work. Ask your insurer if you qualify.
2. Request Higher Deductibles. A deductible is the amount of money you have to pay out of pocket on a claim before your insurance will kick in to cover the rest. Going from a $200 to a $500 deductible could save you 15 to 30% on your policy costs, or as high as a 40% savings when you go to a $1000 deductible.
3. Combine Policies with a Single Carrier. Many insurers offer discounts when you take advantage of multiple insurance products. So consider bundling your homeowners or renters policy with your car insurance and see what your savings could be.
4. Ask A Trusted Advisor. GEMC FCU has our own Liberty Mutual Insurance representative available to help answer your insurance questions, for FREE and with no obligation. Call Kerry Mooney at 678-838-9219 x56848. She can help evaluate your current needs and current policies and help determine the coverage that’s perfect for you.

Saving on the Cost of Gas
1. Get Rid of the Extra Weight. And no, that doesn’t mean that you have to go on a diet. Take a look at all the stuff rattling around in your trunk or under your seats and take out all the things that could be weighing your car down. Is it really necessary to carry the golf clubs everywhere? Also consider removing unused removable storage and bike racks, which cause drag and make you burn more gas. Did you know that by taking the removable roof rack off your vehicle, you could improve your fuel economy by up to 5%?
2. Search Online for Cheap Gas. These free sites can help direct you to the nearest and cheapest gas: www.GasPriceWatch.com, www.GasBuddy.com, and www.Automotive.com. But don’t go driving out of your way to get it. Be smart about the trips you take and weigh the costs against the benefits.
3. Check Your Tire Pressure Regularly. Maintaining the recommended pressure for your vehicle can increase your fuel economy by up to 3%. And remember: the recommended pressure for your tires is located on the label inside your car, not on the tires!

Saving When It’s Cold Outside
1. Bundle Up! If your feet are cold, your whole body will feel cold, so put some socks on your feet and pull out the bunny slippers to keep those toes warm. If that doesn’t work, try putting on a sweater or covering up with a cozy blanket before cranking up the heat.
2. We’ve Said it Once, Now We’ll Say it Again: Use a Programmable Thermostat. Why heat the house when no one’s home? Yes, they can be expensive to buy, but the savings in your heating (and cooling) bills should make up for the expense within the first year, if you use it wisely.
3. Don’t Get Burned. Lower your water heater temperature to 120 degrees. Not only is it safer for the young kids’ bath water, it’ll help keep some money in your pocket!
4. Make Wise Use of Your Curtains. Cover up windows with it’s dark outside can help keep precious warm air in with you, especially if you have older windows. But make sure you open them during the day to let those warm rays of the sun help heat the house, at no charge to you!

Many of these tips we’ve gotten from looking at the “10 Tips” section of msnbc.com, so if you’re searching for even more ways to save, head on over.