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Making ends meet is getting tougher. The cost of gas, food, college and
just about everything else is going up, while wages have failed to keep pace
with inflation. This column provides info on where to find bargains in East
County, plus other tips on how to get more for less.
October 1, 2008 (EAST SAN DIEGO COUNTY) - Autumn is the perfect
season to tackle these.
Winter-proof your home: Adding weather stripping under
drafty doors costs little, but can save you money on high heating bills. Homes
lose considerable heat through single-pane windows, so consider upgrading to
dual panes on some windows. If you can’t afford that, simply closing
drapes and blinds, or adding thicker window coverings, will help keep your
home warmer. Close off some vents for rooms not in use. I use a
portable space heater to keep my home office warm when I’m working, instead
of firing up the furnace to heat the whole house. Just be sure cords
aren’t frayed, avoid extension cords, and keep portable heaters away
from flammable materials to avoid risk of fire.
Plant an herb garden: Instead of paying several bucks
a jar or more for spices, why not grow your own? For the price of just
one spice jar, you can buy enough plants to fill a window box planter or several
pots that you can grow indoors through the winter months. Oregano, thyme,
rosemary and chives are easy to grow year-round with a minimum of care. Find
herbs at local nurseries, or visit the herbal gardens at Summers Past Farms
in Flinn Springs, just east of El Cajon. The farm also offers classes
for a fee in how to make your own soaps and lavender body care products (www.summerspastfarms.com).
Take a home improvement class: Many home improvement
stores now offer free classes where you can learn how to do home repairs yourself,
as well as installation of products. After getting a quote of $1,000
to install $200 worth of tile flooring, my husband and son took a tile-laying
class at Home Depot in Lemon Grove, then rented a tile-cutting saw and did
the job themselves. Now is the time to tackle those home improvement
projects--before winter rains and holiday visitors.
Take a trolley: Residents in Santee, El Cajon, La Mesa,
Lemon Grove and SDSU can catch a bright red trolley to many parts of San Diego,
including downtown, Mission Valley, Old Town, and the Mexican border. Save
gas—and the aggravation of rush hour traffic—by riding the trolley
instead. If you visit La Mesa’s Oktoberfest, take the trolley
into the heart of the festivities to avoid parking hassles. Note: La
Mesa will soon have apartments and condos opening next to the trolley station
on Fletcher Parkway complete with a sky bridge to Grossmont Center, making
it easy for trolley users to ride, walk and shop without having to climb up
a long flight of stairs anymore.
Get videos free: Why rent videos if you can get them
free at the library? You might not find the latest new releases, but
most local libraries now carry quite a few classic film titles that you can
check out free of charge. Just be sure to return them on time, because late
fees on videos can be hefty. Put a log on the fireplace, whip up some
hot chocolate and enjoy a cozy evening at home – for free!
Get happy: Check out cheap yet hearty discounted
happy hour appetizers and drinks
at many local restaurants and bars, such as the “Super Tuesday” taco
nights discovered by our own East County Eater. Check
out details in this month’s column.
Send your tips for saving money in East County to: editor@eastcountymagazine.org.
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