After you’ve saved up for, bought and moved into the home of your dreams, it’s time to celebrate. You did it! And while you enjoy your new place, setting it up the way you want, decorating, furnishing and entertaining, you will face one additional experience that comes with home ownership: Bills. In fact, you might be surprised to see how fast extra costs add up. What can you do?

Savvy homeowners know there are always ways to save; you just have to do a little research. Consider these simple steps you can take that will mean more money in your pocket!

1. Go green: Saving energy isn’t just good for the environment; it’s good for your pocketbook. Here are some specific ways to take that will cut down on wasted energy and lower the costs of maintaining your home:

• Set the hot water heater to between 110 and 120 degrees F.
• Install ceiling fans throughout.
• Get a programmable thermostat.
• Choose lower-wattage bulbs for lamps.
• Have a professional seal/insulate leaky ducts.
• Fix leaky faucets or running toilets. (A constantly running toilet uses over 8,000 gallons of water annually!)

2. Revaluate your appliances: Along the lines of going green, take a look at your current appliances and compare them with more efficient models. While buying energy-efficient appliances might not seem the fastest way to save money, it could add up to considerably lowered energy costs over time.

3. Get discounted home insurance: Many companies offer lower rates to customers who own dual policies, so buy insurance for your car and your home at the same place, and you’ll likely see savings. Other cost-cutting ideas include installing a security system and smoke detectors and shop around amongst insurance agencies.

4. Replace your windows: As with appliances, choosing the right type of windows can mean big savings over time. If your home doesn’t already have them, look into high-efficiency low-E (low-emissivity) glass, which reduces heat transfer.

Sometimes the smallest steps, put into practice consistently, mean the biggest savings. It pays to evaluate your options and find out how you can cut costs!