Whether you’re a super-saver or you’re constantly left scraping for change, we could all benefit from having some leftover cash at the end of each month. Saving money can seem like a challenge, but making small changes to your daily lifestyle can help you enjoy extra pennies, without scrimping and saving.
First and foremost, you need to start saving at home. If you live in Pennsylvania, for example, you enjoy the benefit of Energy Choice – which means you can choose your electricity provider and take control of your energy costs. If you’re spending too much money on your electricity bill, it’s a good idea to compare electricity providers and find the cheapest rates for your household.
Use your water efficiently
Especially in family homes or shared households, your water bill can easily soar out of control. Long showers, washing cycles and even brushing your teeth can add much more volume to your water usage, without you even realising. However, there are simple steps you can do to stop your water usage causing an unexpected dent in your savings at the end of the month. Cheap alternatives like water-saving showerheads can reduce your water usage by up to 50%, while washing your clothes when you have a full load only puts a stop to unnecessary water waste. As well as dramatically cutting your water costs, taking these steps will help you use energy efficiently, and live a more sustainable life.
Consider a new boiler
If your boiler’s over ten years old, it’s likely you’ll benefit from investing in a newer model with more energy efficient properties. The most popular choice for homeowners in the UK, combi boilers can help you see huge savings on your heating and energy bills. Rather than traditional boilers with expensive hot water tanks, combi boilers take water directly from the mains, so you’ll only use energy when you need it. Especially in the warmer months where you’re less likely to switch the heating on as often, using energy only as and when you need to will help you keep your bills as low as possible, without feeling the chill.
Draught-proof your home on a budget
If your home doesn’t feel warm even when you have your radiators on full blast, you might have air gaps that are letting the heating out. Luckily, this is one of the easiest money saving quick fixes you can make to your home. Sealing any cracks or gaps between your windows, doors and even letterboxes will stop warm air escaping. This is a simple task you can carry out yourself, too; simply using cheap sealant, blankets or doorstops to keep the heat in won’t break your budget, and won’t take too much time out of your day either. This means your home will stay warmer for longer, and will help you enjoy considerable deductions on your heating bill, too.
Shop and eat more consciously
A silver lining of lockdown has meant that many families, homeowners and renters have managed to get into the habit of spending less at the supermarket, with less expensive trips to the corner shop taking place each week. Now restrictions are beginning to ease, sticking to the habit of regular weekly shops will help you save the expense of one-off purchases. This will make your food shopping budget much easier to track, too, so you can keep an eye on your finances throughout the month with no hassle.
Cultivate the habit of unplugging
Did you know your chargers, laptops and electronic devices use energy even when they’re not being used? Picking up your phone once it’s charged, without flipping the switch to turn the electricity off, will affect your energy bill in the long run. Making a small change, simply by checking your plugs are switched off when they’re not in use, will help you save without skimping. Switching everything off each night is also a great way to prepare for bed too, helping you feel more mindful and get a good night’s sleep.
Get DIY basics under your belt
Keeping an eye on your home is one of the best ways to prevent any issues becoming more serious problems in the future. While it’s always a good idea to enlist the help of professionals for bigger jobs, having simple DIY skills under your belt means you can fix any unforeseen problems, without breaking the bank. Jobs like bleeding your radiators, changing leaky taps and giving your walls a fresh lick of paint will help you enjoy your home all the more, free from the worry of expensive updates. These DIY tasks can also help increase the value of your home in the long run, too.
