Tag: budget

Smart ways to save money around the house

Smart ways to save money around the house | H is for Home

Maintaining your home can seem like a sure-fire way to blow your budget every month but there are ways to reduce your bills. With some straightforward tricks and savvy hacks, you’ll be amazed at just how much you can save. To start cutting your expenditure right now, take a look at these smart ways to save money around the house…

Hand holding a calculator in their hand

1. Plan your budget

You may think you have a good grasp of how much is coming in and going out of your bank account every month, but few people do. It’s easy to overestimate your income and underestimate your expenditure, which may leave you short of cash by the time pay day comes around.

Before you can accurately calculate your savings, you’ll need to know exactly what your financial situation is. Check your payslips to find your pre and post-tax income and consider whether you have any other sources of funding comes in. Investments, freelance work and savings can help you maintain a second source of income, so be sure to include these in your budget.

When calculating your expenditure, be sure to do so honestly. It’s easy to tot up your essential bills but harder to remember impulse purchases and last-minute buys. Track your spending for a week or two and you’ll have a better idea of where your money’s going.

Brown bottles of natural cleaning fluids

2. Switch to natural cleaning products

Big brand cleaning products can come at a big price, but you can achieve the same effect with natural alternatives. While many store bought natural cleaning products are cheaper than their chemical-laden counterparts, the savings don’t stop there. However, you’ll most certainly need a mop, so take a look at some of the most popular floor mops on the market.

It’s fairly easy to make your own natural cleaning products, which can substantially reduce the amount your spending. In fact, you probably have everything you need to make your own cleaning fluids sitting in your cupboards right now.

Before you start concocting your own cleaning recipes, be sure to seek advice. Mixing certain chemicals can produce dangerous reactions, so it’s important to do your research first. With plenty of how-to guides online, you’ll be preparing your own safe and natural cleaning products in no time.

Repair tools

3. Repair rather than replace

In today’s society, we’re used to replacing consumables, electrics and appliances on a regular basis. When a new model is released, we’re often prepared to discard a perfectly good product simply to get the latest version. Similarly, when something malfunctions or becomes slightly less effective, we’re quick to replace it with a brand-new alternative.

However, repairing your household goods can be far cheaper than replacing them. With Electrolux spare parts, for example, you can increase the lifespan of your cooking appliances, vacuum cleaners, dishwashers and refrigerators. Similarly, replacing components in your PC or switching to a different monitor can save you from having to buy a new machine.

If something breaks, don’t assume it’s destined for the trash. Many products can be repaired at home, while others can be fixed by professionals at a relatively low cost. As well as saving you money, repairing rather than replacing helps to make your home more environmentally friendly too.

Person holding a remote control in front of a television screen

4. Cut out what you don’t need

We like to think we’re savvy with our finances, but most of us are paying for things we never use. If you have a cable subscription, for example, make a note of how much time you spend watching premium channels. Similarly, check your bank statements for old direct debits and recurring payments you’ve forgotten about.

Many products and services are now offered on a subscription basis, which means it’s easy to forget just how many memberships you’ve got on the go. Carry out a subscription audit and cancel any you no longer need or use.

If family members or flat-mates subscribe to the same service or something similar, check whether there is a household membership option available. Often, a joint plan works out cheaper than multiple individual subscriptions, so this can be a great way to pool your funds and save some cash.

Bag of popcorn with television screen in the background

5. Entertain at home

If you have any money left over when you’ve paid your bills each month, it probably goes towards socialising and entertaining. Even a trip to the movies can seem expensive by the time you’ve factored in the cost of travel, popcorn, snacks and drinks. Similarly, going to a restaurant can be fun, but regular meals out will soon eat into your budget.

Of course, saving money doesn’t mean you have to give up your social life. Instead, entertain at home more often than going out. Whether you invite friends over for an impromptu coffee, a casual brunch or a formal dinner party, you can have just as much fun without picking up a big bill at the end of the evening.

Coffee loyalty cards

6. Join loyalty schemes

Most companies offer some form of purchase incentive to regular customers. You might be able to exchange points for reduced prices after a certain number of purchases or gain access to exclusive discounts and promo codes, for example.

Although not all loyalty schemes are worth their while, they can be a viable way to save money. Read the small print first and only make a purchase if it’s something you were planning to buy anyway. This will stop you from overspending but still enable you to get the best deals.

Remember – loyalty programs aren’t just available in bricks & mortar stores. Online promo codes, vouchers and loyalty schemes are just as good as offline alternatives and can be used on a wide range of household goods.

Savings tracker bullet journal page

Creating a successful savings strategy

Implementing savings strategies can seem tricky at first, so start out by making simple and straightforward changes. When your savings start to build up, you’ll have the motivation and confidence to try other money-saving hacks.

An effective way to increase your success is to store your savings, rather than spending them straight away. This will enable you to calculate how much you’re saving every week, month or year and highlight just how worthwhile your savvy saving strategies have been!

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How to live in the modern age for less

How to live in the modern age for less | H is for Home

With capitalism holding so many of the cards in today’s modern society, existing without playing the game of spending huge amounts of money can be tough. Essentially, everything has a price, and having to shell out masses every month just to survive can be a disheartening and scary experience. On the other hand, it is possible to save cash here and there to amass some savings or just generally decrease your bills; and there are a few, simple steps that you can take in order to start seeing changes in no time at all. So, if you want to know more about what you can do to live in the modern age for less, read on to discover some of the best top tips that can aid you in saving some cash today!

Illustration of a man's arm holding up a wad of cash and a light bulb

Switch your energy provider

One of the largest bills that you have to fork out for every month is for energy; especially during the winter months when you use more heat and light due to short, cold days. It can be really tricky to afford the power you need. However, this may be due to the fact that you’re with the wrong provider – these days, there are so many different companies from which to choose. The prices and deals for each will vary, but usually when you make the effort to switch to a new provider, you’re given some kind of voucher or discount to switch. A quick search online will allow you to compare the prices of each, and help you to make a decision as to whether it’s worth changing.

Illustration of two women in a supermarket

Reduce your food bill

The amount the average household spends of food is always increasing yet often, so is the amount of waste they create. Many people find themselves in a situation where they throw considerable amounts of produce away, as short shelf lives and lack of time or need for the item can have a huge impact. It can be hard to reduce waste, especially if you’re in a one or two person household, as many food items come in large quantities that you simply cannot consume on your own.

Luckily, there are several things that you can do in order to save money rather than effectively put it into the trash. For example, buying food in bulk in dried form will allow you to soak and serve the specific portion you need, whilst the rest keeps for several months more than its fresh counterpart. If you can only buy certain things such vegetables like spinach in large quantities, you have two choices: you can either make a larger amount of the dish and freeze it for later consumption, or alternatively freeze the fresh produce on its own. Freezing food is one of the oldest methods of preservation and sometimes despite it being the 21st century, ancient and traditional methods prove themselves to be the best solution.

Illustration of a smart-phone

Save money on your phone plans

It’s likely that you’re reading this article on a smart phone, or that you have one tucked safely inside your pocket or somewhere close by. The amount of money that you pay for your device each month can vary depending on its model and plan, but often this price can burn a hole straight through your bank balance. Big brands try to draw you in with what seem like a good deal, but with a little research you can find the true bargains, just by putting in some extra effort. Rather than forking out a fixed price for 12 or 24 months in order to own your device, it can be much cheaper to attend an auction or visit an online market site to find a second-hand or factory refurbished version – for a fraction of the cost.

Spend some time browsing to find a phone that’s in perfect working order, and make a lesser offer to the seller to see whether you can save even more. Once you’ve invested in a new smart phone, find a sim that gives you all the necessary data, calls and texts that you require each month. SMARTY SIM is a great example of a bargain data package that gives you a considerable amount of internet data for a very respectable price, and this cost is minuscule in comparison to what you might have to pay with a big brand alternative.

Illustration of three women with clothes shopping bags

Say no to fast fashion

Many fashion houses release new lines of clothing every single week, and this process is known throughout the world as fast fashion for the speed at which the products are designed and manufactured, as well as the use and wear that you manage to get from the item. Buying into this industry could see you spending thousands every year on new outfits trying to stay on trend and up to date, and this has a devastating effect on the environment whilst likely encouraging some form of unethical labour. Rather than falling into this trap, buying a small wardrobe’s worth of well-made, durable clothing that actually suits your true style from independent shops, flea markets and charity shops can be a really great option. It’s common to find an item of vintage clothing which was manufactured over two decades ago, yet is has a lot of wear in it. Investing in such an item will be a real benefit to your wardrobe, and the small price you pay might even be funding a really great cause if you got it from a charity shop.

Living in the modern age can cost such a large amount of money, yet the opportunities to earn this much are few and far between. Adjusting your spending habits can have a dramatic effect on how much you have to shell out, and hopefully flip your situation from having too much month at the end of your money to building some savings or creating a greater disposable income. Start by identifying whether you might benefit from changing energy supplier, and try out some of our tips on saving money on your food and fashion bills whilst also reducing waste.

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Home bills causing havoc – here’s how to fix it!

Home bills causing havoc - here's how to fix it! | H is for Home

A new boiler or heating system?

Are your home bills ridiculously high? If so, this suggests an issue with your central heating system. The problem could be anything from a leak inside the tank to a problem with rupturing.

Changing your electricity provider can also help you tackle the problem. For instance, If you look for cheap light companies, you’ll find many great options that offer a high-quality service. Just make sure to select one that suits both your needs and your wallet.

This is why it’s important to ensure that you’re getting your boiler checked regularly – ideally at least once per year. Some people get their boiler serviced every six months to stay on top of issues like this.

Many will put off checking their boiler because they’re worried an expensive replacement would be required. However, that’s exactly why you should check it. If you do need a repair or replacement it’s always best to know. It may be expensive and you may need support from a company like New Horizons online loan broker to pay. But it will ensure that you can save in the long term.

LED spotlight

Lights out

One of the issues we’ve already discussed is that through winter and its shorter days, you’re going to need to have the lights on for longer.

Keeping the lighting going will drive up the costs, particularly if they’re fitted with the wrong bulbs. If you haven’t already, now is a good time to make sure that you’re switching to LEDs. They use a fraction of the energy of incandescent bulbs so are well worth investing in. It’s not that expensive to make this change gradually – as bulbs blow – throughout your entire home.

Smart home tech

Home tech

Unless you’re heading out to the Christmas markets, you’re likely to be spending more time indoors during the winter season. You want to keep out of the cold while watching the snowfall from your window.

This does mean that you are going to be relying more on home tech. If that’s the case, it’s important that the tech you have in your home is green. The best way to check this is to use your smart meter. Switching off tech devices and plugging them back in one by one will tell you which ones are contributing the most to your home energy bill.

Christmas is a great time to replace some of your tech too. You’ll be able to find great discounted options in the sales and you might be due for an upgrade anyway.

Grey drawn curtains

Insulation

This is another point where energy can leave your home… literally. If your house has poor insulation, you’ll struggle to keep the energy trapped inside. That means that you’re going to need to turn the heating up to a higher point to keep your home warm. You can avoid this issue if you make sure that you’re fixing the insulation. There are a few ways to approach this problem.

Arguably, one of the cheapest is to upgrade your curtains. This is a lot less expensive than switching windows that are blown and it will still provide big benefits. Particularly if you choose the right type of curtains with a thick lining that excludes draught.

We hope these ideas help you keep your home bills under tighter control this winter season.

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7 ways you can spend less money on your home

7 ways you can spend less money on your home

Trying to spend less money on your home might seem unrealistic to you right now, but there are probably a few things you can do to cut down your monthly bills and make things much more manageable. Below, you’ll find 7 suggestions that could seriously improve your budget – take a look.

Invoice on a smart phone

  1. Change utility bill suppliers

Don’t stay with the same utility suppliers without looking elsewhere to see if you could be getting a better deal. Chances are, you could be! Suppliers often offer new customers better rates, so it could be worth comparing different deals that you find and then speaking with your current supplier to see if they will match it. If not, tell them you want to cancel. They might offer you a better deal there and then, or you may have to switch. Either way, you’ll get a better deal.

Toilet rolls

  1. Buy in bulk

When it comes to buying essential items such as toilet paper, kitchen roll and tinned foods, consider buying in bulk. This can be much cheaper than buying every time you go to the supermarket, and it could even help you to cut down the number of trips to the store you take, further helping you to save money in terms of petrol. If you can buy food items in bulk, you could potentially cook large batches of food, freeze them, and have meals set for weeks.

Plumber fixing a kitchen sink

  1. Have regular maintenance checks

Knowing what to look for in your home in order to identify issues will help you to keep things running smoothly – you don’t want a simple repair to get worse and end up costing you more money in the long run. It could be a good idea to have a professional company come out and every so often and make sure you aren’t in need of a repair. Boiler checks are a must, for example, and it’s a good idea to know what to look for in blocked drains. You’ll save yourself a lot of money and hassle if you keep a close eye on these things or hire somebody else to do it for you.

Grey sofa and side table

  1. Avoid home décor trends

Home décor trends come and go so quickly that if you try to follow them, you’ll want to redecorate more regularly. Go for something that’s timeless, or completely your own; this way, you’ll likely keep the same décor for a long time.

Man buttening up a white shirt

  1. Live minimally

Get used to living a minimal life. A capsule wardrobe, minimal accessories, and really think about purchases before you make them. Do you really need that? Will you use it?

Energy-saving bulb

  1. Live with the environment in mind

Living a more eco-friendly lifestyle, such as cutting back on meat and making sure you don’t waste energy can be a huge help to both your wallet and the world.

Board game house on a pocket calculator

  1. Have regular money meetings

Have a household budget and hold regular money meetings to make sure everything is as it should be. You’ll teach your kids a thing or two early on, too.

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