Clyo C. Sambaan

Credit Card Finance Charges, reduce or eliminate debt/finance charges 1. What is the average credit card annual percentage rate (apr) in the United Sates of America? Average APR on credit card with a balance on it: 13.01 percent, as of the first quarter of 2013 (Source: Federal Reserve's G.19 report on consumer credit, released July 2013) http://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/credit-card-industry-facts-personal-debt-statistics-1276.php Average APR on new credit card offers: See current CreditCards.com Weekly Rate Report (the link automatically takes you to the most recent edition of our weekly nationwide survey). http://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/interest-rate-report-071013-unchanged-2121.php 2. What is the average credit card balance per consumer or household in the United States of America? Average card debt per U.S. adult, excluding zero-balance cards and store cards: $4,878. (Source: TransUnion analysis of May 2013 credit files.) Average debt per card that usually carries a balance: $8,220. (Source: Experian analysis of credit files, March 2013.) Average debt per card that doesn't usually carry a balance: $1,037. (Source: Experian analysis of credit files, March 2013.) http://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/credit-card-industry-facts-personal-debt-statistics-1276.php Television Service, reduce or eliminate expensive cable/satellite services 1. How much does the average American household spend on television services (cable, satellite, etc. combined) per year or month? Average American spent $770.95 annually on services like cable television, Internet connectivity and video games, according to data from the Census Bureau. By 2008, that number rose to $903, outstripping inflation. By the end of this year, it is expected to have grown to $997.07. http://business.time.com/2010/02/09/do-you-spend-less-than-2000-annually-on-internet-tv-cell-phone-service-and-video-games/ Americans who subscribe to digital services spend an average of $166 each month for cable TV, home Internet access, mobile phone service and digital subscriptions, such as satellite radio and streaming video — the equivalent of 17 percent of their monthly rent or mortgage payment. http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/2386-technology-harder-save-money.html 2. What is the average cost of a movie package (HBO, Cinemax, Showtime, etc) for the average consumer? Premium channels can cost an additional $15 or so a month and include such choices as HBO and Cinemax, which emphasize movies. http://www.ehow.com/about_-_average-cable-tv-per-month. 3. What is the average cost of an internet service provider (ISP) in the United States per year or month? According to the White Fence Index, the average cost of Internet among top U.S. cities is $38 a month. http://www.webpronews.com/you-pay-far-too-much-for-internet-and-thats-a-problem-2012-07 Alcoholic Beverages, reduce drinking overall or at least drinking at bars/restaurants 1. How many alcoholic drinks does the average American drink per week? Majority in U.S. Drink Alcohol, Averaging Four Drinks a Week http://www.gallup.com/poll/156770/majority-drink-alcohol-averaging-four-drinks-week.aspx 2. What is the average cost of an alcoholic beverage in the United States of America? http://daniellehinchey.myefolio.com/uploads/alcohol%20pricing%20manuscript.pdf Smoking, reduce or eliminate smoking 1. How many cigarettes does the average American smoke per day? According to the American Lung Association, the average smoker smokes 15 cigarettes each day. http://www.quitspeed.com/2006/01/19/how-many-cigarettes-does-the-average-regular-normal-smoker-smoke/ In 1965, 56% of smokers consumed 20 cigarettes daily. By 2007, it had fallen to 41% http://www.cnn.com.ph/2011/HEALTH/03/15/pack.smokers.now.rare/index.html 2. What is the average cost of a pack of cigarettes or individual cigarette in the United States of America? The average price of a pack of cigarettes nationwide is $6. http://money.cnn.com/2013/04/10/news/economy/cigarette-tax/index.html According to researchers at Pennsylvania State University, found the average cost of a pack of cigarettes is $5.51 in the U.S. while lost productivity and medical costs are $18.05 per pack. http://www.thefrugaltoad.com/personalfinance/smoking-cigarettes-hazardous-financial-life Coffee, reduce or eliminate purchases outside of work or home. 1. What is the average cost of a cup of coffee in the United States of America? http://www.statisticbrain.com/coffee-drinking-statistics/ The average price for a cup of brewed coffee is $1.38. http://www.coffeemarvel.com/blog/post/2010/05/11/Facts-and-Statistics-about-Coffee-Consumption-in-the-United-States.aspx Air Conditioning/Heating 1. What are the most efficient heating temp and cooling temp? You can easily save energy in the winter by setting the thermostat to 68°F while you're awake and setting it lower while you're asleep or away from home. By turning your thermostat back 10° to 15° for 8 hours, you can save 5% to 15% a year on your heating bill -- a savings of as much as 1% for each degree if the setback period is eight hours long. The percentage of savings from setback is greater for buildings in milder climates than for those in more severe climates. In the summer, you can follow the same strategy with central air conditioning by keeping your house warmer than normal when you are away, and lowering the thermostat setting to 78°F (26°C) only when you are at home and need cooling. Although thermostats can be adjusted manually, programmable thermostats will avoid any discomfort by returning temperatures to normal before you wake or return home. http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/thermostats 2. On average how much can using a programmable thermostat save the average American consumer? Programmable thermostats generally cost between $25 and $100 (not including any installation costs), but these handy devices can save the average American household up to $110 or more annually, http://www.ase.org/efficiencynews/saving-energy-101-programmable-thermostat Electricity 1. What is the percentage breakdown of electrify (or energy) used in the home? Refrigerators are just 8%, and your water heater just 9%. Your air conditioner takes up only 16 percent. What takes up the other 60% of your energy uses? All the other smaller appliances and your lights. While each of these may only use a small amount, together they consume a lot. http://www.electricitytx.com/money-saving-tips/breakdown-residential-electricity-usage/ Air conditioning is the biggest user of electricity, at 16.5 percent of the home's total consumption. Next is lighting (15.4 percent), then water heating (9.2 percent), space heating (8.9 percent), refrigeration (8 percent), televisions (7.3 percent), clothes dryers (5.6 percent), computers (3.6 percent), cooking (2.2 percent), dishwashers (2 percent), freezers, (1.7 percent) and clothes washers (0.7 percent). Miscellaneous other uses take up 18.8 percent. http://www.ehow.com/facts_-_many-house-use-per-day_.html Inforgraphics Link 1. https://www.moneysmart.gov.au/managing-your-money/budgeting/spending/australian-spending-habits 2. http://www.marketplace.org/topics/your-money/personal-finance-reference-guide/your-morning-latte-waste-money-infographic 3. http://civileats.com/2011/03/29/mapping-global-food-spending-infographic/ 4. http://www.infographicsarchive.com/economics/infographic-how-the-average-american-spends-their-money/ 5. http://www.infographicsarchive.com/economics/infographic-how-to-reduce-your-home-heating-bill/ 6. http://www.infographicsarchive.com/economics/infographic-13-money-saving-tips-for-2013/ 7. http://www.economist.com/blogs/dailychart/2011/10/us-consumer-spending 8.