10 Ways to Save on Your Home & Garden

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Boosting the deductible on a homeowners policy from $500 to $1,000 could save you 25 percent, according to the Insurance Information Institute, or $307 off an average $1,228 policy.

Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle for a solution that leaves windows sparkling. Some experts also add a few drops of dishwashing liquid. Save $4.50 or more by not buying

window cleaner at the store. 

Instead, cut a sponge in half and soak the pieces in a container holding 1 cup fabric softener and 2 cups water. Wring and toss one into each dryer load. Replace liquid every 3 months. Save:

$8 per 80 loads.

Google your county name and “free mulch” to see if it (or free compost) is offered. Save $3.66 per 2 cubic feet of mulch or $4.97 per cubic foot of compost.

Expensive electronics cables don’t carry signals better than cheap ones, which hold up fine for home use. Get a $10 HDMI cable, not a $30 one, and save $20.

Companies often charge up to 15 percent less if you buy both home and auto policies from them. You can save over $100 a year on insurance costs. 

Yes, they exist! For example, Heartgard Plus costs $43 to treat a large dog for six months. HeartShade Plus, a generic version, has the same active ingredients for $20. Save $23.

You can spend $70 at a dog groomer. Plus you have to make an appointment and take the time to go there. Learn to do it yourself—YouTube has instructions for many breeds. 

Rescue a dog for $300 or less (sometimes free). A purebred Labrador retriever can cost $1,500. Save at least a $1,000 on your new best friend. 

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