New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection
New York Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez said, “These tips may seem
simple but when you add them all up, they can lead to big savings for a
household. By taking stock of your spending and changing your habits, you may
find that you’re no longer using some of those services you signed up for years
ago, or that by simply changing how
you stream video content can use less energy. I encourage all New
Yorkers, no matter your budget, to take a moment to track your spending and
check out our Division of Consumer Protection’s Money Savings Guide.”
The top 5
category examples in the guide include:
Evaluating current subscriptions and memberships
- If you have multiple subscriptions, take the time to
review what you really use and cancel those used infrequently.
- Contact subscription services directly to find ways to
save. Take advantage of discounts through company benefits, enroll in
family share plans, pay fees annually vs. monthly, and ask the company if
there are any other ways to save.
- Cancel automatic renewals. Turn off auto-renewal which
limits your opportunity to evaluate your subscriptions every year.
Using Electronics Wisely
- Shut down your computer: When you shut down your
computer, don’t forget to turn off the monitor—it can use twice as much
energy as the computer. Use an Underwriters Laboratories (UL) approved
power strip for convenience so that all computer accessories can be
turned off with one switch. Even in sleep mode, your computer may cost
you $105 a year.
- Disconnect digital media players: Turn off dvd and
blu-ray players, audio players, and video game consoles when not in use
to avoid wasting energy. Even when powered off, most electronics continue
to draw power, often referred to as ghost electricity, vampire power or
phantom power. To save energy and time, plug entertainment products into
an UL approved power strip to centrally turn off all components at once.
- Stream your content smartly: Streaming through a game
console uses up to 10 times as much energy as streaming on a laptop or
tablet. Consider using another kind of device to stream—like a blu-ray
player, set-top box, or smart tv that has earned an Energy Star® label.
Planning transportation ahead of time
- Combine errands into one trip to save time and money.
Several short trips taken from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as
a longer multipurpose trip covering the same distance when the engine is
warm. Trip planning ensures that traveling is done when the engine is
warmed up and efficient, and it can reduce the distance you travel saving
fuel and wear/tear on your vehicle.
Reevaluating Heating and Cooling
- Check your thermostat: Each degree you lower your
thermostat can cut your fuel consumption by approximately 3%. Installing
a programmable thermostat can automatically adjust the temperature based
on your home, work, and sleep schedule and provide an estimated cost
savings of 10-20% on your monthly heating and cooling bills.
- Weatherize and insulate your home: Help your home to
retain heat during cold weather by insulating your attic and outside
walls, sealing and insulating heating ducts, removing window air
conditioners, wrapping or covering wall air conditioners, and sealing any
cracks around walls and windows.
- Get your heating system tested and tuned: Conduct
annual checkups to help ensure the efficiency of your system. Replace
your furnace filters at least every three months to keep your equipment
running efficiently and consider replacing the filters once a month
during heavy use months such as the summer and winter. A dirty filter
slows down airflow and makes your system work harder to keep you
comfortable.
Rethinking Your Grocery Habits
- Purchasing in bulk can save money on items you
frequently buy. Wholesale shopping also allows you to stock up for fewer
shopping trips. Some wholesale clubs allow membership sharing, and that
could mean splitting the membership fee with a friend or family member.
Remember to cancel memberships you aren’t using.
- Planning meals in advance, including breakfast, lunch
and dinner, will reduce food waste and cut down on expensive meal
delivery or dining-out costs. Make a grocery list to support the plan and
reduce impulsive purchases.
- Look for deals. Plan meals around a few bulk
ingredients or based on the weekly grocery sales circular to ensure
you’re buying items on sale. Take advantage of store savings and enroll
in store reward programs. Search for online coupons, use store savings
and rewards cards, and watch for manufacturer coupons attached to the
items in-store.
- Shop strategically for food. Take inventory of what
you have at home before going shopping. Go to the grocery store with a
list, having planned out your meals until your next grocery trip.
To see all 50
tips and learn more please see the Money Savings Guide from the Division of Consumer Protection here.
The New York
State Division of Consumer Protection provides resources and education
materials to consumers on product safety, as well as voluntary mediation
services between consumers and businesses. The Consumer Assistance Helpline
1-800-697-1220 is available Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm, excluding
State Holidays, and consumer complaints can be filed at any time at www.dos.ny.gov/consumer-protection.
For more consumer protection tips, follow the
Division on social media on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook.
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