Be more resourceful with these money-saving tips, and learn how to save money on food, save money on the car, and save money on utility bills.
Save Money in the Home
- Save money on food. Only buy what you need from supermarkets, use up your leftovers, and grow your own vegetables. Cook meals from scratch rather than splashing out on ready-meals.
- Cancel unwanted subscriptions. Do you really need an expensive Sky package if you never watch it? Check your broadband – many areas are unable to make use of the most expensive bandwidths, so don’t pay out on what you can’t have.
- Make your own! Arts and crafts are enjoying a huge renaissance. Save money on birthdays by making your own greeting cards. Sew up torn clothes or mend those shoes, rather than buying more. Cook or make presents for loved ones. You could even use your skills to make extra cash.
- Buy second-hand. You can pick up bargains everywhere, from a car boot sale to eBay. Check out websites like Freecycle, where you can find second-hand white goods and furnishings for free!
Save Money on Utilities
- Switch energy providers. Shop around for a better deal on your gas and electricity. Also research the different tariffs available with your current provider – you could end up paying less.
- Turn down the heating. Reducing the temperature by even a small amount saves money as well as energy. Be sensible – wearing a warm jumper is better than sitting in a T-shirt with the heat up high.
- Watch your appliances. When buying new, choose the most energy efficient – they burn less of a hole in your pocket as well as the ozone layer. Only use the washing machine when you have a full load. Do you really need a dishwasher when you can all help wash up? Avoid using the tumble dryer if you can line-dry instead, or use a clothes airer on rainy days.
- Invest in a new boiler. The new energy efficient models could save you hundreds of pounds each year.
- Use water sparingly. Don’t leave the tap running when you are cleaning your teeth. Use the shower instead of the bath. Buy a rainwater butt, and use the contents on the garden.
Save Money in the Bank
- Avoid feeling the credit crunch by keeping a tight rein on your finances. Monitor your daily spending and only buy what you can afford.
- Save for a rainy day. Take advantage of the current high interest rates by opening a high-interest savings account or ISA.
- Get rid of debts. The sooner you pay off those cards and loans, the sooner you can put that money towards the future. If you can, overpay on your mortgage.
Save Money with Your Car
- Do you really need to drive to work every day? Use public transport if possible. Or, if several people live in the same area as you, car share and take it in turns to pick everyone up for the week.
- Only keep what you need. If you and your partner both have a car, think long and hard whether you really need two. If you can get by with one, sell the other.
- Rent a car. If you rarely use your car, why not rent one when you need it? Many people living in the city only need a car when they travel out of town, and so rent when required.
Be creative. The more resourceful you are, the more money you will save in the long term!
The copyright of the article Save Money on Home Expenses in Personal Budgeting/Finance is owned by Louise Heyden. Permission to republish Save Money on Home Expenses in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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