Lately I’ve been trying to figure out ways to cut costs around the house. I could really do with a little extra green. As they say, there is a difference between living and just getting by. I decided to crack down on my general budget and watch my spending on things that are frivolous and unimportant. I did some of the basic things like take shorter, cooler showers, and made sure to turn the lights off when I’m not in a room. I also decided that I could stand to be far more energy efficient with the way that I use my HVAC system. I feel like during the more extreme months of the year, when it comes to temperature, I use my thermostat far too excessively. I figured, that in the winter, instead of turning up the thermostat a few notches more when I feel a little chill, I could simply throw on another layer or get a thicker blanket for bed. I even started using the fireplace in the living room more often, in lieu of central heat. Similarly, in the summertime, I did my best to acclimate to warmer thermostat settings and it really wasn’t so bad. Finally, I decided to be far more responsible and regular with my HVAC service visits, and some of the things that I can do myself, such as changing the air filter more regularly. I signed up for an HVAC service plan to ensure that my system is cleaned and operating efficiently all through the year. I closely monitored my spending after taking all of these things into account, and I did indeed find myself in a far more financially comfortable situation.