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Everyone is looking for ways to save money in your home. Setting up a budget is the best option, but that only shows you the amount you are spending in your home and the amount that you are budgeting for that. It often comes to cutting down on expenditures, which can be painful (at times) Here are some simple and effective techniques.
Put the Heating on a Timer
Having the heating on constantly will eat into your energy allowance. Opt for a timer and have it on once or twice a day – first thing in the morning and last thing at night. This will be enough to prevent the pipes from freezing during the winter. During the rest of the day – if you are at home – put an extra layer of clothes on or have blankets to keep you warm if you need them.
Use the Heat from the Oven
After you have used the oven for cooking, it is common to shut the door. The heat from the oven will be there for a while but shutting the door stops it from escaping. Use this free heat to warm up the home, even if it is just the kitchen.
Turn Off the Plugs
When you are not using an electrical appliance, turn it off at the wall. You will be surprised by the amount of energy a TV or computer uses when it has been left on standby unnecessarily. It is also possible to buy adapters that switch off the electricity supply when one item is switched off; for example, a modem and printer cannot be switched on while the computer is switched off.
Turn Off the Lights
Lights also eat up the home budget but you can avoid this. It seems obvious- but when you walk out of a room, switch the lights off – even if you think you are going back into the room in a few minutes. It is also worth investing in energy saving bulbs; while they do take longer to get to the full brightness, they will help you save money in the long run.
Make a Shopping List
A lot of money is spent on the groceries. The problem is that people do not make a shopping list and then go to the grocery store and buy anything – often the items they find on sale. This often leads to them buying something that they do not need. By making a list, you are less likely to stray from it.
Use Up All Food
You will be surprised by how long food lasts. Instead of throwing food out, use it up in a stew, soup or a stir-fry. You could find that you save hundreds throughout the year by doing this and you will come up with some unique and inventive dishes for the family.
It is possible to stick to a budget and start saving money on your household bills. The trick is being sensible. You will be surprised by the amount that you use up throughout the day when you do not need to, such as by leaving lights on or having the heating on when you are out of the house.
L Bee Note: All of these tips seem obvious, but I know I am TERRIBLE at a few of them, like using up all food, or turning off things when I’m finished using them. I think it’s great to be reminded every now and again.
This blog post was written by David Taylor, owner and manager of Gladstone Brookes, a UK based mis-sold PPI claims company helping people claim back PPI on their mortgages, credit cards and loans. Regularly writing on the topic of personal finance, he loves to share money saving advice with readers.
Hi, my name is Lauren but I'm known to those nearest and dearest as L. Bee. After twenty-five years on the planet I have worked in a lot of industries, moved to many different cities, and made almost every money mistake you can make.Join me on my journey as I navigate my twenties and try not to pick my "money tree" bare.
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I still throw away a bit of food occasionally, but it’s gotten a lot better since we started planning our meals. Clark Howard told me (we’re BFF’s) that I should only buy perishables every 2 weeks. WHAT? Who does that?! How do you ever eat bananas? I’m trying, Clark! (See? First name basis…he’s cool.)
Michelle recently posted..The Surprisingly Dangerous Life Of A Suburban Wife And Mother
Bahaha. I end up throwing away a lot of salad that goes bad before it gets eaten, but other things like bananas and apples go QUICK and we need to buy them every week.
Perishables every two weeks, Michelle? Wow. But they perish! And in way less than two weeks, usually! =)
Mr. PoP is awful about lights so we’ve actually installed timer light switches in a couple of places that he’s the worst about, like the garage, since he would leave the light on ALL NIGHT in the garage.
Mrs. Pop @ Planting Our Pennies recently posted..How Much Does Your Family Know About Your Money?
I’m bad to leave the closet light on all day. Haha I should get a timer!
I have to tell ya, we are as cheap as the next guy but we won’t leave our oven door open. That sounds a bit dangerous to me:)
As far as food goes, Holly just used a pot roast in vegetable soup the other day. It is even more delicious the second time around!
Greg@ClubThrifty recently posted..Why Being Out of Style is Cool
I guess it would depend on if the oven was gas or electric? I remember during a blizzard one time my mom lit the gas stove and we used the oven. It was our only source of heat!!
We are getting better with unplugging things and eating all of our food. We noticed a big difference after we started unplugging!
Michelle recently posted..Cutting Expenses
How much of a difference? I’m going to have to look into this unplugging business.
Great tips. And sometimes simple tips are the best! I need to make a more conscious effort to turn off the lights, I’m terrible at that !
Gillian @ Money After Graduation recently posted..When maxing out your RRSP contributions is the wrong choice
Thanks Gillian!
Great tips, especially on the timer for your thermostat and using the oven for its heat. As long as you keep your kids or pets out of it, then it really is of no harm at all.
John S @ Frugal Rules recently posted..Are Credit Cards Really That Bad?
Haha I can just imagine Murray (my dog) climbing into the oven. AhhH!
My family is terribly guilty of violating all of these! My son always leaves the light on everywhere and leaves it on. My wife turns on the TV and leaves the room. Using up all our food is never problem when you’ve got a hungry Beagle to feed!
My Money Design recently posted..Book Review: The Smartest Retirement Book You’ll Ever Read by Daniel R. Solin
I end up throwing out so much food
I hate it.
We got a programmable thermostat a few years ago. Our heat is included in our condo fees, but boy does it make the place more livable! Plus, I like knowing that I’m saving the unnecessary energy. I think mine cost about $50… no idea how long it would take to recoup that, but surely not very long if you leave the house all day for work.
Anne @ Unique Gifter recently posted..Captain Creuset
I would run into the oven door at shin level. I’m that clumsy. I did put the TV and internet modem on powerstrips that I turn off at night. Haven’t noticed huge savings, but I’m sure it helps. We used to throw away so much food, but I got a wok and stir fry leftovers and freeze them. That works great.
Kim@Eyesonthedollar recently posted..Rental Property Series: Finding Hidden Treasures
I think one of the most underrated inventions ever are those square socket timers normally used to turn on and off lights when you’re not home. (Oooo… To fool the burglars!)
Can you believe I found them at the Dollar Store? For $1?! I have one that turns off/on power to my PS3, DVD player, TV, and cable box between the hours of 3:00 AM to 4:00 PM. (During the week days–while I’m either sleeping or at work.) I have another one that fires up my window air-conditioner an hour before I get home in the summer afternoons. I don’t know what the cost savings is to energy vampirism or exactly how long it takes to make back the $1 (+ tax!), but it can’t hurt.
I will definitely have to check that out. That’s insane that you got it for a dollar!