Frugality 101: Why Pay More for Energy Than You Have To?

Washington, DC, April 2009 – Although gasoline prices are heading upward once again, they are nowhere near last summer's average high of $4.11 a gallon, meaning that you could drive more for less. But is that smart? As a matter of fact, one of the bright spots in this turbulent economy is that it will actually cost significantly less to power your home and vehicles this year than last year.

With "frugality" being the hot buzzword in this tough economy, why pay more for energy than you have to? The Alliance to Save Energy offers extensive money-saving resources and tips to reduce your energy bills so you and your family have more money for other things:

• Planning a vacation road trip this spring or summer? Save substantial money on gasoline by planning ahead, checking on critical maintenance beforehand, and adopting some driving behaviors on the road with Drive $marter Challenge vacation resources as well as specific vacation tips on the bottom third of the webpage.

• Sing along while driving and saving -- and learn Spanish. Download "Manejando y Ahorrando," the Spanish-language "Driving and Saving" song to your iPod or MP3 player. It's got a fun Latino reggaeton beat that will keep your toes tapping. A shorter version can be downloaded as ring tones on your cell phone.

• Unemployed, home more, and watching your home energy bills soar? When a home is in use 24/7, more energy is used for heating or cooling, lighting, home office equipment, electronics, water, and other needs. The Alliance to Save Energy's consumer website offers an entire section on Tips to Lower Your Energy Bills.

• Operating out of a home office? Millions of people around the country have a home-based business, telecommute regularly from a home office, or are job hunting from home. The Alliance offers money-saving tips to improve your "bottom line."

• $1,500 home energy efficiency tax credit. There's no better time than this year or next year to improve your home's energy efficiency. Certain home energy efficiency improvements are eligible for a federal tax credit of up to $1,500 through the end of 2010 as part of the February "stimulus" package. The Alliance provides all pertinent details on home and vehicle tax credits. The tax credit increases the federal income tax refund you would get or lessens the money you would otherwise owe. In addition, these improvements would simultaneously reduce your monthly energy bills, air pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions.

Also check out potential energy-efficiency incentives in your area from upcoming stimulus monies from your state or local government, as well as any available rebates from utility companies, retail stores, and manufacturers. All of these could add even greater savings to the federal tax credits, as well as to your home energy bills.