Lighter Roof, Cooler House

If you don’t happen to need a new roof right now, you can still have a lighter colored one that will reflect more of the sun’s heat away instead of absorbing it.

There are roof paints with special metallic pigments that reflect light and heat. 

White is not the best choice because it reflects too much and may cause problems for airplanes and for neighbors on higher ground. Any relatively light color made with the special pigments will work. 

https://www.echo-ca.org/article/guide-solar-reflective-paints-energy-efficient-homes

 

Uses for Butter Wrappers

For those who like extreme frugal measures, consider saving the wrappers from sticks of butter or margarine. They will keep in the fridge or freezer for a long time.

You can use them as needed to grease a baking pan, put a little butter on top of rolls or biscuits, grease a knife for smoother cutting of sticky things like brownies, take a dab to moisturize dry cuticles, or use the wrappers to separate hamburger patties in the freezer. 

 

Free Credit Freeze

One piece of protecting your identity is preventing scammers from opening accounts in your name without your knowledge. One way to do that is to “freeze” your accounts with the credit reporting agencies, Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax, Naturally, you don’t want the accounts to be frozen when you yourself are applying for anything that involves a credit check, but when you aren’t, it’s a safe practice. 

A new law goes into effect after September 21 that requires the agencies to freeze and unfreeze your accounts without charge. 

Can’t Afford Your Prescription?

Back when I last had insurance, 2008, I took the medicine that was just right for me. Without insurance, I switched to a generic that was okay but not great. Now, ten years later, that med is available in generic form, but even then it still costs $100 a month! However, when I Googled to find out the current price I was reminded about GoodRX.com. Their site has price-reducing coupons for a variety of prescription medications at several stores. You put in your zip code and they find prices and coupons for many pharmacies near you. 

Thanks to GoodRx I was able to get the Rx that is good for me at a fraction of the market price.