Senior Special Section: Last week we discussed ways in which you could qualify for discounts on your monthly energy bills. For those of you who want to save even more this winter or who may not qualify for utility discounts, we bring you some tips that could save your hundreds of dollars.

SeniorDiscounts News:
While supplies last, our 2006 Guide Book for only $6.95, including shipping. This can make a great holiday gift for friends and family. For more details, click here.

Senior Discounts Section: We highlight SeniorDiscounts Card Member discounts available on flowers and gifts, health and wellness products and computer classes among others.

Challenge Section: SeniorDiscounts announces a new winner for the Add A Discount Challenge and Weekly Newsletter Challenge every week. Do you know which state uses the most total amount of energy, according to the US Department of Energy?

If you would like to tell others about
SeniorDiscounts and this Newsletter, click here.

Tips for Reducing Energy Usage

As discussed in previous columns, there are many programs available for older Americans and low income households to receive discounts on their utility bills. But what about those who may not qualify for these types of discounts? Here are some free and low-cost tips that may help save you hundreds of dollars this winter.

While some of these tips may be fairly obvious, you may not realize just how much they could save you in the long run.

1. Install Automatic Thermostats and Light Timers
Programmable thermostats are not very expensive, from $30 and up, and can save up to $100 a year when programming the temperature to decrease while you are away or asleep. If you don't like coming home to a dark house, install light timers. These are inexpensive and can save you from keeping lights on all day. Motion detectors are also inexpensive and you won't have to leave the outdoor lights on all night.

2. Put on a Sweater
For each degree you lower your thermostat in the winter; you can save up to 5% from your heating bill. Moisture content can play a big role in how cool a room feels as humid air retains heat better than dry air.

3. Install low-flow Water Devices
Showers and baths account for about 40% of a home's hot water energy costs. Installing low-flow shower heads and sink aerators can reduce the hot water consumption can reduce hot water usage by as much as 50%.

4. Use the Microwave
Microwave ovens use about 60% less energy than electric stoves. Unless you are cooking a large meal, use the microwave to reheat and cook foods.

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5. Change your Light Bulbs
Convert frequently used incandescent light bulbs to energy-saving compact fluorescent bulbs. While they are more expensive to purchase, their long life makes them the cheapest lighting option in the long run and can save you up to $50 per light bulb over its lifetime. These light bulbs use two-thirds less energy and last up to 10 times longer.

6. Use the Dishwasher
Dishwashers use about 40% less hot water when fully loaded than washing the dishes yourself.

7. Full Loads
Wash your clothes only when you have a full load and switch to cold water washing of laundry. Detergents formulated for cold water get clothes just as clean and could save you as much as $63 a year.

8. Water Heater
Lower the temperature on your water heater to no more than 120 degrees and install water tank insulation wrap, which costs about $20 and helps hold the heat inside.

9. Things to Remember
Close the curtains to retain heat. Turn off everything when not in use; including lights, TVs, and use the automatic screen savers and power down features on your computers and other electrical equipment.. Close fireplace dampers when not in use.

10. Have a Safe and Warm Winter.
(Information provided by the Alliance to Save Energy and the US Department of Energy.)

Do you know of a senior discount that we don't? Tell us and you could win a free one year subscription to our Card program.
Click Here.

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Add a Discount Challenge

Each week in this newsletter we announce a new winner in the Add A Discount Challenge. Let your fellow senior discounters know about any new discounts you find and keep those discounts coming.

We are looking for any and all NEW Senior Discounts. This means discounts that we don't already have on our web site. Ask at your favorite place of business and find out if it offers a senior discount. If it does, simply submit it on our web site. Click here.

You can also tell us about businesses you think would be interested in offering a senior discount. Provide us with a business's information and we will contact that business and invite it to offer a senior discount. The more discounts you enter, the better your chances of winning. Click here.

As always, we greatly appreciate your participation in adding value to our service.

Our winner of the senior discount challenge this week, Paula Bondy of White Lake, MN will receive a one year SeniorDiscounts Card membership. Paula, please e-mail us at: newsletter@seniordiscounts.com to claim your prize.

Weekly Internet Challenge

Answer the trivia question correctly and you will be entered to WIN a complimentary SeniorDiscounts Card Membership with included SeniorDiscounts Guide Book.

This Week's Challenge:
According to the US Department of Energy, which state uses the most total amount of energy?

To answer: Click Here and tell us your answer to the Weekly Challenge. Good luck.

Last Week's Challenge Question:
According to the United Health Foundation's annual report, which state is the least healthy?
Last Week's Challenge Answer:
Louisiana

Our winner this week, Ann Adams of Midland, TX will receive a one year SeniorDiscounts Card membership. Ann, please e-mail us at: newsletter@seniordiscounts.com to claim your prize.

Corrections Challenge

We can always use help keeping our database of discounts current and our web site free of errors. If you find a discount that is not correct, no longer valid, or an error on our web site, let us know and we will send you a gift. Just e-mail us at: mistakes@seniordiscounts.com with the mistake you have found and please include a correction if applicable. We appreciate your help.

"If someone shows you who they really are, believe them"
Author: Maya Angelou
Submitted by Sandra Ostrofsky

If you have a comment, quote, or joke for us, please E-mail us at: newsletter@seniordiscounts.com.

This newsletter provides information on senior discounts, and tips on how seniors can save money at no cost to our readers.

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