Making ends meet is not easy. In many parts of the world, the cost of living continues to rise faster than wages. For most families, the only way to keep up with their bills is to find ways to keep them to a minimum. Here are a few relatively simple things you can do to make that happen.
Reduce your heating and power bills
Most UK families spend a lot of money on heating. How much depends on many factors, but it is typically between £550 and £900 a year. So, reducing this bill by 10% or more will save you a lot of money. For example, if you want to be energy efficient and save money in the meantime, there are a number of options for you to consider. For instance, BestElectricRadiators offer you a technology that enables you to control the heating of your home from anywhere you want with the help of its Wifi. You can be energy efficient as you can switch on and off your radiators whenever there is no need for heating you want.
If you use heating oil, take a look at the Super Saver Oil website. They offer their customers several ways to buy their heating oil, that are designed to keep the cost as low as possible. For example, only having a delivery when the price is at its lowest. If your local supplier does not offer this option, you can go online every few days to check the price.
Those homeowners that use gas or electric to heat their home can also save money. This in-depth article provides you with several ways to do this. You can also use some of the tips you will find there to keep more of the heat in your home. It also covers reducing the amount of electricity you use for lighting and running your appliances.
Maximize your use of coupons and discount codes
If you know where to look, it is possible to find coupons and discount codes for practically everything you buy. As you can see here, you can potentially buy a £100 worth of food for just a few pounds.
This is known as extreme couponing. A skill that takes time and effort to learn. But, once you do, you will rarely, if ever, have to pay full price for anything again.
Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty
Having work done around the house is usually expensive. Learning how to do things yourself will make a huge difference. Again, it will take time to learn the necessary skills. But, it is relatively easy to do so, by using YouTube or with the help of your friends and family. We even have a few tips here.
Most people find that they enjoy it once they get started. Decorating is something that a lot of families end up doing together. It is a great way to pass skills onto your kids and improve their confidence.
Sell your things
Before you give or throw something away, try selling it first. There are lots of free ways to advertise items or you could opt for the classic car boot sale. Even if you only get a few pounds for something, the money you make will soon mount up.
Be more disciplined about what you buy
Getting into the habit of asking yourself if you need something before you buy it will also save you a lot of money. You will be surprised how often the answer is no and you end up using something you already own instead. Or maybe hiring or borrowing what you need.
