Money Saving TipsHow to Save Cash When Living Alone for the First Time
It is not easy for those that move into a flat or house for the first time in a recession, but the following tips can help save cash.
Follow the advice below and save those precious pennies! Most of this advice is just pure common sense, and involves slight lifestyle changes. Electrical AppliancesPeople all need electrical appliances to get by, whether it is for cooking, watching television, going on the internet, or using the kettle to brew up. However when finishing using these items, switch them off; do not leave things on standby, and switch things off by the plug if possible, especially when leaving the home for work or for a night out. Money Saving Tips Include Reducing Water UsagePeople need water to bathe, and cook with, but excessive flushing and heavy use can make those water bills astronomical. Only fill up the kettle and sink with a minimal amount of water, if one cup of tea is needed, do not fill the kettle up to the brim. Put the plug in the sink when washing up. It is preferable to wait until the sink is full of dishes, rather than use too much water for one single dish or pot. Also, wash clothes in the machine with a full load, and take showers instead of baths. Keep toilet flushing to a minimum and do not run the tap whilst brushing teeth. Economy GastronomyAnyone that has watched this particular BBC2 programme will be familiar with the tips and methods used to cook smartly for little money. When living alone, it is best to cook double meals and freeze half to use at another time. For example, spaghetti bolognese, stir fry and chili can all be made in bulk and stored in the freezer, so a healthy, nutritious meal will be waiting in the freezer after a hard day's work/play. Stock up on plenty of fruit and vegetables which will prevent the munchies, and brown rice and brown pasta along with bread and other healthy carbs, which keeps people full for longer. Of course, budget supermarkets such as Aldi and Lidl are great for bulk shopping, but most supermarkets have a "basic" range which prove to be very cheap. Money Saving Tips- Buying Basic FoodThere is not much difference between basic beans, bread, milk or chopped tomatoes and the more expensive brands, so be prepared to scale down the normal choice of products. Also, as hard as it may seem, cut back on the booze, this will in turn save reaching for the medicine cupboard. Hobby HorseVolunteering services, e.g. refereeing/umpiring a local sports team, could lead to the volunteer being paid a little cash in hand here or there for an enjoyable job. There are also plenty of online surveying websites which offer vouchers and cash for a few minutes work, and also there are always leafleting or paper delivery runs for kids which fills in a few hours on a sleepy Sunday. Take advantage of websites such as Amazon and eBay; sell any unwanted clutter, or put ads in local papers if something needs flogging. Reduce Fuel Prices with Money Saving TipsMost drivers know that fuel prices are constantly high so buy an economic, small car that offers plenty of miles to the gallon. Try not to make any unnecessary journeys, but if the driver has to make a journey, then he or she should change the gears early, not over-rev the engine, and brake as early as possible. Or simply take public transport. Hopefully these tips and more will help save cash in tricky times, and should help anyone moving into a new place live cheaply and happily.
The copyright of the article Money Saving Tips in Personal Budgeting/Finance is owned by Ben Murray. Permission to republish Money Saving Tips in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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