By Cherie Lowe
I consider myself to be fairly intelligent. Over the years, I’ve amassed a decent amount of knowledge. My children enjoy (or maybe just endure) long, winding stories of the history of items, people and nations. I’ve studied both French and Spanish. I can recite poetry, Scripture and significant dates of historical events.
Over the last decade, my personal finance pursuits helped me pick up even more information. I can guide you through savings strategies for every store in greater Johnson County. I know my way around a budget. I’ve learned more frugal living hacks than I can count.
And yet, one simple seasonal rhythm evades my ability to understand — Daylight Saving Time. Do I spring forward or fall forward? What does that exactly mean? For the love of all, I just barely got my car clock to read the correct time. Can someone please just set it automatically for me?
Thank goodness for my trusty smartphone that gets the job done without any input from me during the overnight hours. Although, twice a year, I’m not sure if I can trust it 100 percent either. What if this is the one year the phone company forgets to change the time?
In the spring, that date on the calendar means one hour less of sleep (I feel so robbed), but it also makes a great date to tend to regular household maintenance. Taking care of your home and the items in it prevents damage and the need to pay for a hefty repair bill. A few small tasks might even help you avoid replacing expensive appliances, too.
With that in mind, when you adjust the time on your clocks, be sure to also run down this checklist to save money, too.
Battery change
Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors save more than just money. They save lives. However, it’s easy to forget we even have them in our homes. For this reason, when DST rolls around, do a quick routine check of your devices and go ahead and change their batteries.
Descale your coffee pot
If you’re addicted to your morning cup of joe like I am, you may need to clean out your brewing system more frequently. But choosing to use white vinegar at least twice a year to descale your coffee maker is a smart move. Not only will you notice an improved flavor to your morning mug, you’ll also prolong the life of this small appliance.
Run 1 part white vinegar and 3 parts water through an entire brewing cycle. Let sit for 15 minutes. Then run one to two more cycles with water only. Want to maximize the process? Pour the hot vinegar and water down a slow drain to loosen debris and improve flow.
Change the furnace filter
Your furnace served you well all winter long. It’s time to give it a little TLC. If you have the skills, conduct a complete tune up. But even if you need to leave the extras to the experts, you can change the furnace filter on your own.
Tune up lawn equipment
The grass is turning greener. In a few short weeks, it will grow tall enough to need to be trimmed. Rather than taking on the task of maintenance and actual yard work at the same time, take an afternoon to give your mower, trimmers and other lawn equipment a good once over. Change oil filters. Sharpen blades. Use YouTube tutorials to coach you through taking care of the tasks yourself. Or if you’re not confident enough in your skills, research affordable options and have a local shop take care of the work.
Vacuum your refrigerator
I know you think I’ve felt the effects of losing an hour of sleep, but stay with me here. The backside of your refrigerator and the vents at the bottom collect dust, hair, pet fur and several unidentifiable substances. It’s smart to clear the air flow by quickly using a shop vac or even the hose attachment of your regular vacuum cleaner to sweep up that mess. Clearing out obstacles allows your refrigerator to run more efficiently, reducing your energy bills and prolonging the life of the appliance.
These tasks really aren’t complicated. Plus, you can knock out the to-do list in span of a day or even perhaps the space of an afternoon. While you don’t necessarily have to set a date specific on the calendar to attend to these duties each year, DST (or the month following) serves as a perfect reminder for otherwise easily forgotten maintenance.
Greenwood resident Cherie Lowe and her husband paid off $127,000 in debt in four years and now live debt-free every day with their two kids. She is the author of “Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After.”
