As Northeast Michigan heads into the coldest stretch of the year, the winter weather can also stretch our wallets with high heating bills.

Financial guru Dave Ramsey offers several tips for keeping those bills low:

∫ Seal up any leaks that let warm air out of your house or ducts, and shut doors in any unused rooms so you’re not heating places you don’t need to. Thick curtains can help prevent heat loss through your windows.

∫ Drop your thermostat 7 to 10 degrees for at least eight hours a day (like when you’re sleeping or gone to work).

∫ Open your blinds on sunny days to let Mother Nature do some of the heating for you.

∫ Make sure to replace your filters regularly. Clogged filters can cause your furnace to run less efficiently.

Stay warm out there, Northeast Michigan.

(THE ALPENA NEWS)