46 - Don’t Let Money Go Down the Drain: Smart Ways to Save on Water Heating

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We all love a long, hot shower, but did you know that water heating accounts for nearly 20% of your home’s total energy use? It’s the second-largest energy expense in most households, right behind heating and cooling. That means every time you turn on the tap, wash a load of laundry, or run the dishwasher, you’re paying not just for the water itself, but for the energy it takes to heat it. The good news is that you don’t have to take cold showers to save money. With a few simple adjustments—most of which cost nothing—you can significantly cut your water heating bill while maintaining comfort. From simple habit changes to smart upgrades, here’s how to keep your water hot and your bills low. 1. Lower Your Water Heater Temperature Most water heaters come from the factory set to 140°F. Not only is this temperature unnecessarily high for most household tasks, but it also poses a scalding risk. By lowering your water heater’s temperature to 120°F, you can reduce standby heat losses and save ...
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24 - Activate bonus cash back discounts on credit card websites!

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For us penny pinchers always scouting ways to stretch every dollar, credit card “deal portals” are one of my favorite secret weapons! Many major credit cards—like Wells Fargo, Chase, Bank of America, and others—offer special, personalized discounts and cash back deals just for cardholders, all accessible right through their website or mobile app. These extra offers are in addition to the normal rewards points or cash back you already earn, letting you double (sometimes even triple!) up on savings. Usually, you just need to activate a deal on their website, shop using your eligible card, and watch as those extra credits automatically show up on your statement. If you’ve never checked for these bonuses, take a peek at your card’s online dashboard—you could be missing out on easy money every month!

My "2% Cash Back" credit card from Wells Fargo currently has the following discounts available on their website if I activate them:

  • Carrabba's Italian Grill - 10% cash back
  • Burger King - 5% cash back
  • Little Caesars - 5% cash back
  • Bob's Discount Furniture - $30 cash back
  • Uber - 10% cash back
  • McDonalds - 10% cash back
  • Potbelly - 5% cash back
  • Baskin-Robbins - 5% cash back
  • Paramount+ Subscription - $5 cash back
  • YouTube TV - $20 cash back
  • and a whole bunch more!
These are hard to remember to use, as evidenced by my lifetime savings since December, 2021 of $2.11! Here are the steps to do better than me with these:
  1. Visit the website every month to see what discounts are available. (Example: https://web.secure.wellsfargo.com/auth/deals-portal)
  2. Activate the discounts that you think you might use (or activate them all if you'd like)!
  3. Write the discounts on a small sticky note and attach it to the credit card. (Usually they all expire at the end of the month.)
  4. When you find yourself at one of these locations, be sure to grab the correct credit card and get a bunch more cash back!
Additional Tips and Directions from AI:
Credit card cash back deal portals are a hidden goldmine for earning extra rewards—on top of your everyday cash back or points. Here’s how to tap into these bonuses and maximize your monthly savings, no matter which bank or card you use in the U.S.:

Step-by-Step: How to Activate and Use Credit Card Deal Portals

Log into your credit card website or mobile app:
  • Major banks like Wells Fargo, Chase, Bank of America, Capital One, and others offer a “deals” or “offers” section.
  • Find “Rewards,” “Cash Back Offers,” “My Deals,” or “Card Benefits” on your credit card dashboard.
Review and activate available deals:
  • Scroll through the list of extra cash back discounts and bonus offers—these often change every month and are personalized based on your spending.
  • Activate offers you’re likely to use soon, or just click to activate all open deals for the month—activation is always free.
Keep track of deals you activated:
  • Write a list on a sticky note and keep it with your credit card or in your wallet for easy reference.
  • Offers typically expire at the end of each month or are available for a set number of redemptions.
  • Shop with your eligible card:
  • When making a purchase at participating merchants (restaurants, subscriptions, stores), pay using the card associated with the activated deal.
  • There’s nothing else you need to do—the bonus cash back or statement credit appears automatically on your account.
Monitor your savings:
  • Review your statement or rewards activity each month to see credits earned from activated offers.
  • Set a monthly reminder on your calendar or phone to check your card portal for new deals so you never miss easy savings.
Extra Tips for Maximum Savings:
  • Bank portals usually include offers for restaurants, groceries, entertainment, shopping, and subscriptions—look for your favorite brands.
  • These extra deals stack with your card’s regular cash back, so you might earn 5%, 10%, or more at select stores in addition to your usual 2% base.
  • If a merchant shows up repeatedly on your offer list, make it a habit to activate those deals every month.
  • For larger purchases, the one-click activation can mean earning $10, $20, or more above your normal rewards.
  • Use deal portals with all your cards (if you have several)—different cards offer different merchants and bonus amounts.
  • By consistently activating and tracking these offers, you can earn easy bonus money with almost no effort—just for using your credit card where you already shop!

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