Top 10 tips for saving money at home
With your rent, energy bills and general living costs, being a homeowner isn’t cheap. Thankfully, we’ve put together our top 10 money-saving tips, so you can make a few simple changes and save some cash at home.
1. Reuse leftovers
There are often plenty of leftovers after a big family meal. Throwing them away is a no-no — instead, pack them away in Tupperware boxes and enjoy them for lunch the next day or freeze them for a later date. Pasta, soup and stews usually freeze well, although you should always check before you do so.
2. Don’t shop when you’re hungry
Heading to the supermarket when you’re hungry is a recipe for disaster — you’ll end up with a basket full of sweet treats and impulse buys. Create a shopping list through the week of everything you need to buy and stick to it when in-store.
3. Switch broadband packages
When it comes to broadband, you may be paying for something you don’t actually receive. Internet speeds vary up and down the country, so you should perform a speed check to determine whether you can actually get the speed you’re paying for in your area. You may be able to reduce your monthly outgoings.
4. Make your own flavoured water
Flavoured water can be expensive to buy, steadily increasing the cost of your weekly food shop. Thankfully, you can cut costs and make your own. Lemons, limes and oranges are all relatively cheap to buy and can be infused into tap water to give you the flavour kick you need.
5. Take precautions
Repairs can be a major expense for your household but you can take precautions to prevent damage. For example, if you live in an area with hard water, limescale can start to build up. Over time, this can cause damage to the components in your boiler and lead to a hefty bill. You can stop this with Combimate from Cistermiser — the limescale inhibitor prevents it from forming to ensure the longevity of your appliances.
6. Maximise natural light
Reduce your electricity use by maximising natural light in your rooms. Wherever you can, throw open the curtains to avoid turning on energy-eating lights.
7. Stop the standby
Leaving your TVs and computers on standby can use up a lot of electricity. According to a study by Ebico, 83 watts of electricity used by items on standby for 18 hours a day can add as much as £76 to your energy bills.
8. Only use full loads
This is a no-brainer! Make sure you have full loads for the washing machine or dishwasher before you switch it on. This will reduce the need for multiple washes for items that could be piled in together.
9. Make your own cleaning products
It’s amazing how many cleaning products just rebrand simple household mixtures. Lemon juice and white vinegar are great alternatives and will leave your house sparkling.
10. Use up toiletries
Before you invest in yet more toiletries, make sure you use up all the half bottles you have lurking in your bathroom cupboard. Not only will you free up some space, you’ll save some cash too!