Avoid impulse spending this summer

• Create a list of all your monthly expenses.
  
• Using your bank and/or credit card statements, create a list of your actual spending habits. Every dollar should be accounted for. 
  
• Identify how much you spend in a month and then subtract the amount from your monthly net income.
  
• If your expenses are more than your income:
  • Identify what expenses are a want vs. a need.
  • Then eliminate or reduce spending on the wants. 
    
• If you have a surplus after your financial obligations are met, then you can plan additional activities around that amount.
  

Monthly AC tune-up can ward off expensive repairs

1. Change your air filter every month, particularly if you live in a house with pets or near a construction area. Dirty air filters can impede airflow to your unit and make the system work harder than it needs to, eventually causing it to break.
2. While you’re changing your filter, pour ¼ cup of distilled vinegar into your drain line to keep it clear from buildup that can cause it to overflow.
3. Check your outside AC unit to ensure it has unimpeded airflow and is debris-free.
4. Be sure to run a clean cloth or vacuum over your AC return vents in each room to keep them free from dust that can lower the air quality in your home.
5. Check the battery on your thermostat periodically to ensure it is operating correctly.