This guide first appeared on johnonody.com . Summer is when a lot of electric bills jump, and it can feel like the only choices are sweating it out or paying whatever the meter says. There's a better middle ground. Learning how to lower your electric bill in the summer mostly comes down to three things: keeping heat out of your home, helping your air conditioner work less, and not creating extra heat inside. None of the tips below ask you to live in a hot house. Most of them are free or cost very little, and many work just as well in an apartment as in a house. I've grouped them by where they happen: the thermostat, your windows, airflow, appliances, air leaks and the AC unit itself. After that you'll find tips for renters, a couple of things to skip, a simple first-week plan and answers to common questions. You don't need all 22 at once. Pick three or four to start this week, and add more as you go. Small changes add up over a long, hot month. Why is my electric b...
This guide first appeared on johnonody.com . Grocery prices keep climbing, and it can feel like you have to choose between eating well and paying your bills. You don't. Learning how to save money on groceries and still eat healthy comes down to a handful of habits: planning before you shop, knowing where stores hide the deals, cooking in batches and throwing away less food. A lot of people assume healthy eating means organic labels, protein bars and the fancy aisle with the soft lighting. In reality, many of the cheapest foods in the store are also some of the most nutritious: beans, lentils, oats, eggs, rice, potatoes, cabbage, carrots, bananas and frozen vegetables. The expensive part is usually the packaging, the processing and the convenience, not the food itself. In this guide I'll walk you through 25 practical tips, grouped by when you use them: before you shop, in the store, at home in the kitchen, with apps and tools, and when you share a kitchen with roommates. You...