How Can I Save Money
on AC This Summer?

Hi Taylor - I've set a goal for the summer, and that is to avoid hating the entire season. The heat usually overwhelms me and I refuse to run the AC nonstop and waste all my money. Any ideas for how I can accomplish this goal? - Morgan

Hi Morgan - As far as I'm concerned, there should be "beat the heat" support groups on every block. I have the same struggles as you do each summer, though I've come up with a couple ways that make it a little easier to survive.

1. Make things cold. You might not be running the AC, but the fridge and freezer will stay on. There are all sorts of things you can chill for a couple hours that will help you stay cool later on. Depending on how bad the heat is that you're trying to escape, you can put your bedsheets in the freezer for a few minutes before going to sleep; not long enough to make them damp, but enough time to provide a comforting chill at the end of the night. You can also take a hot water bottle and put it in the freezer, using the water resistance to make sure you don't get your blankets soaked.

2. Smart fanning. Fans are helpful, but lots of the time it feels like they're just pushing hot air into your face. That all changes when you put some ice in front of the fan and cool the air down. If you get a shallow container, fill it with ice and water, and put it right in front of the fan, the breeze will collect cold air off the melting ice and send it your way. Make sure you're keeping the freezer stocked with ice cubes and not just bedsheets.

3. Freeze your feet. The pulse points in your body generate extra heat, and there are two such points in your feet and ankles. At any point in the day, kicking off your shoes and socks will take down your body temperature. If you want to take it a step further, dunking your tootsies in a bucket of cold water is a good move as well. This is especially useful if you're too hot to fall asleep at night.

4. Make cool meals. Fire is hot, and using heat to cook your food is only going to make your house warmer. Buy things that are precooked or get into eating cold salads and sandwiches on the days that are too hot to bear. Aside from keeping your house cooler, you'll avoid putting toasty food in your mouth.