Save Some Pesos out of your House Expenses? Yes you can!!!

According to that report of Philippine Financial Literacy Advocacy Report 2013 by Sun Life Philippines, Filipinos spend around 37% of their income on food, which is the largest portion of the pie. Below is an info graphic that shows more details.

Apart from food, housing takes the secondary spot in consuming the average pinoy’s income of P 20,000. Here are some tips on how to save on house related expenses

1. Set Your Own Personal Budget

These clever tips help keep your cash where it belongs -- in your pocket! First things first: Learn how to set your own personal budget with our easy-to-use worksheet.

2. Adjust Your Water Heater

Lower your water heater's thermostat to 120 degrees to restrict heat loss. The exception: dishwashers. Check if yours has a "booster heater" for sanitizing 140-degree rinsing.

3. Maximize Air Flow

When it's hot outside, position a fan to blow air out a window. But if you're lucky enough to have a strong wind, set the fan to blow in the same direction to maximize air flow. Close nearby windows to keep exhausted air from flowing back in and open those on the other side of the house (ideally in cool, shaded areas). In a multilevel home, place the fan in a top-floor window and open windows on lower floors, where air is cooler. For windows that catch direct sun, use blackout blinds or heavy drapes to minimize solar heat gain.

4. Reuse Rainwater

Reuse rainwater with these barrels made from trash cans. Placed underneath your home's downspout, a rain barrel can help conserve water (and money) by capturing rain runoff from the roof. You can then use that water for the garden. You'll find a variety of barrels available online: Look for ones that have a spigot for a house attachment. Or make your own from large plastic trash containers. You can purchase a pump to help deliver the water through your hose, or a tap to fill your watering can.

5. Go Low-Flow

To reduce hot-water consumption (and energy needs), federal legislation mandated improved showerhead efficiency for models made after 1994. Replace older models with ones that spray no more than 2.5 gallons per minute.

6. Purify the Air with Houseplants

An alternative to spending hundreds of dollars on an air purifier: Houseplants, which have long been hailed for their ability, remove toxins from the home.

7. Run Appliances at Night

Run appliances such as clothes dryers and dishwashers at night to avoid peak energy rates and the humid heat they generate. Excess humidity is more than uncomfortable -- it can also be expensive, since air conditioners use extra energy to process the moisture.

8. Unplug Your Electronics

Unplug small appliances whenever you can. Computers, cell phone chargers, and other electronics often continue to use power -- and radiate heat -- even when turned off. To simplify, plug items into a power strip that you can use as a master switch.

Hope this will help in your effort to cut on unnecessary house expenses.

For more info:

http://fitzvillafuerte.com/infographic-the-spending-habits-of-filipinos.html

http://www.marthastewart.com/275315/top-50-money-saving-tips/@center/277003/home-smarts#233989