Tag: budgeting

7 easy money-saving home ideas

7 easy money-saving home ideas

Money-saving home ideas seem like a good idea right now, given the recent budget update and the cold weather approaching. Making small changes around the home can save big money, even though some may require initial investment. However, when combined, your costs can come right down.

Modern doors and windows

Old doors and windows become degraded over time, and this stops their insulation from working correctly. Replacing them with fully fitted composite doors or windows, for example, helps keep the warmth in and the cold out. With most new doors and windows, even the glass works much better. You can capture the sun’s heat and keep it in the room with double and triple glazing. This can significantly boost the temperature of a room by a few degrees to save money.

Money-saving home ideas in the kitchen

The kitchen is probably the most power-hungry room in the home, given all the appliances we have. So, saving power in the kitchen means saving money on your bills. Low-power alternatives such as microwaves and air fryers can bring energy bills right down. But food waste is also a problem. UK families waste around 140 meals per year, which is also money in the bin. Planning meals and cooking in batches helps reduce food waste and lower your food costs.

Energy-efficient lighting

When it comes to saving energy, one of the most popular methods is switching to LED lights. LED light bulbs are an ideal way to lower your bills as they use up to 90% less electricity. But that’s not all. You can control some brands of LED lighting with your smartphone. This means you can remotely turn off the lights if you leave them on, further reducing how much energy you use. With timers, they also make a great burglar deterrent instead of leaving the TV on!

Bathroom money-saving home ideas

Next to the kitchen, we can also use a lot of energy in the bathroom. Gas, electricity and water are used in most family bathrooms, which can add up to larger bills. But there are a few things you can do to reduce how much energy your family uses every day when using the bathroom:

  • Reduce the length of time you spend in the shower in the morning.
  • Turn the boiler temperature down to save gas, and shower heat to save electricity.
  • Install low-flow devices that can help use less water without compromising on pressure.
  • Use a pressure-boosting shower head instead of installing a power shower.
  • Use bathroom products until they’re actually gone and not just half finished!

Simple changes such as taking five minutes in the shower adds up to big savings over the course of a year. However, reducing waste and prolonging product usage also helps.

Using only what you need

Many people are guilty of using too many everyday products. Whether it’s water, energy or even shampoo, we often waste a lot of what we need each day. Think about how many times you boil a kettle with more water than you need for tea or coffee. That’s wasted energy and water right there! The same goes for things like filling the sink to wash the dishes, cooking food and even bruising your teeth. Small changes like this make things last longer for savings in the long run.

Money-saving home ideas with laundry

Perhaps the most power-hungry appliance is the washing machine. Washing machines are a Godsend and make laundry a breeze. But convenience can add up costs. However, you can use eco-mode on your appliances, which is designed to perform well and use less energy. For instance, a cold laundry wash at about 20°C uses around 60% less energy. You should also check manufacturer instructions for loading the machine to its optimal capacity.

Monthly and seasonal maintenance

When you look after things, they usually tend to last longer. This is true of almost everything, including appliances, electronics and your home. Monthly and seasonal cleaning and maintenance routines are a great way to get the most out of the things you use all the time. For example, you can prolong the life of a washer-dryer by using cleaning products like Calgon. Your car will run smoothly if you keep it clean and do the necessary vehicle checks each week.

Summary

Installing new doors and windows is one of the most powerful money-saving home ideas when it comes to energy use. However, even making the switch to LED lighting uses a lot less energy. Of course, any efficient family home relies on monthly and seasonal cleaning and maintenance.

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Advice on renting: Costs to consider in your monthly budget

Advice for renting: Costs to consider in your monthly budget

As we’re still learning to navigate the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, budgeting appropriately has become vital. And with soaring rents leaving some tenants facing increases of up to 60%, many areas are now considered unaffordable when compared with average wages.

If you’re feeling concerned about managing your finances and being able to pay your rent on time, it’s crucial to adapt your approach to budgeting.

What will my expenses be as a private tenant?

Monthly rent

The largest cost and commitment you’ll need to be prepared for when you rent is the monthly fee for living in the property. Usually paid by standing order or direct debit to your landlord or letting agent, rent must be paid on time each month and in advance.

If you fail to make payments promptly, you risk being taken to court for rent arrears or even evicted, depending on the type of tenancy agreement that you signed.

Deposit

If you’re still looking for a place to rent, you’ll need to have a large sum of money in your account ready to be used as a deposit. This is normally equivalent to five weeks’ rent but could be more or less depending on the property.

Furthermore, even if you’re already living in a rented property, it’s worth keeping a set amount saved and waiting for your next move. When you leave your current property, you may not see your deposit returned instantly – so it’s a good idea to be prepared.

Renter’s insurance

Looking after your belongings is crucial, regardless of where you’re planning on living. Even though your landlord will be responsible for major maintenance and repairs to the house, your tenancy agreement alone may not cover you in the event of theft or fire.

Obtaining comprehensive tenants’ insurance could help to protect you against unforeseen circumstances, so we’d always recommend comparing prices online before you move house.

Utilities

Utilities include bills for water, gas, electricity, Wi-Fi and council tax. The cost of council tax varies according to each local authority, so make sure you check what you can afford before you start viewing properties in a new area.

Combined, these expenses can quickly become expensive, so we’d recommend working out your monthly totals and moving a set amount into a separate bank account as soon as you get paid. If you like to watch TV, you’ll also need to cover the cost of a TV licence in order to access mainstream channels in the UK.

Furniture

If you’re new to the rental market, you may not be aware that not all properties come with high quality furnishings and fittings. Unless you’re moving into a shared house, it’s unlikely that your living space will be equipped with the furniture you need to call the house your home.

When you’re planning your budget, you should factor in the cost of chairs, tables, sofas and soft furnishings for your new space.

Renting in the current economic climate is expensive, but it can be an invaluable steppingstone for those seeking independence or working in a new city. If you have any urgent concerns about your situation as a tenant or need advice on renting, don’t hesitate to get in touch with your local Citizens Advice.

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8 ways to reduce your household expenses and running costs

8 ways to reduce your household expenses and running costscredit

If you own a home, you’ll know just how costly it can be to run month to month, and if you don’t keep an eye on your outgoings, they can spiral out of control and leave you in a financial mess. The good news is that, with a bit of planning, there are many ways to keep costs down and save money here & there.

Some of these methods take more time than others, but once you get into a routine, it shouldn’t be too difficult to manage. Here are 8 ways to reduce your household expenses and running costs.

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Reduce the amount of water you use

Reducing the amount of water you use is particularly important if you have a water meter installed. Every drop of water costs you money, so saving water wherever you can is a no-brainer. If you have small children, have them share a bath instead of running a new one for each child. Not only will it save a great deal of water – and time – they might find it fun too!

If you’re a keen gardener or have a range of household plants, why not consider setting up a water butt to collect rainwater? It can be used on all of your plants and, apart from the initial outlay, it won’t cost you a penny. It may not seem like a huge cost saving, but small changes can make a big difference.

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Switch it off

If you aren’t using a room, there’s no reason to have the lights on, so get into the habit of switching lights off whenever you leave a space. If you have children, explain to them why it’s so important and get them on board with it too. The same applies to electrical items that aren’t being used.

AV equipment, mobile phones, tablets and laptops all use electricity, so if they don’t need to be charged or aren’t in use – switch them off – don’t just put them on standby. As well as saving you some money, it will also reduce the risk of a house fire!

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Switch to solar energy

Solar energy can save you thousands over a lifetime, so if you don’t already have solar panels fitted to the roof of your property, you should look into it. Solar panels consist of lots of photovoltaic (PV) cells. When the sun shines, these cells absorb the sunlight, which is then converted into electricity you can use within your home.

Not only could it save you money, (you could even sell any excess generated to the national grid) it does wonders for the environment too! If it’s something you are keen to find out more about, search for solar companies in your area and have them come out to give you a quote.

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Insulate your loft

If your loft insulation isn’t great, lots of warm air could be escaping which will result in heftier heating bills. Having new insulation fitted will ensure that cold air stays out and warm air stays in, so it’s a worthwhile job to have done.

There are companies who can do this for you, but if you want to save even more money, buy some rolls of insulation and do it yourself. All you need is some protective gloves and the right amount of insulation for your loft area. There are many tutorials online to help you along if you aren’t entirely sure what to do.

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Shop around for insurance

If you auto-renew your insurance, you may be paying well over the odds for it. Shopping around for the best deal each year could save you hundreds, so take to the internet and do some comparing. If you want to make the process even easier, use one of the many comparison sites.

All you have to do is enter a few details about your property and it will generate the cheapest premiums available at that time. The same goes for car insurance, so the annual cost savings you can make from both might be pretty noticeable.

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Switch energy suppliers

Not all energy suppliers are equal, so if you’ve been with the same one for a while, it might be time to see what else is out there. The price per unit for both gas and electricity will vary, so shopping around could save you a lot of money. Many also charge a set daily rate, so it’s wise to do a comparison until you find the tariff and supplier that’s right for you.

Before switching to a new supplier, find out whether you’ll be tied in for a set period. If it’s lengthy and you think energy prices may substantially drop during this period, you need to weigh up the pros & cons of making the switch.

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Save money on your mortgage

Out of all your monthly outlays, your mortgage (if you have one) is probably the biggest, so it makes sense to save money where possible. One way to do this is by remortgaging, which involves changing to another lender offering a better lending rate.

The base rate is low at the moment, so even if you’re tied into an existing product, it’s worth calculating whether a switch would be financially beneficial. If you aren’t sure what you’re doing, talk to an independent mortgage advisor who’ll guide you through the products available and calculate how much you could save each month.

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Put your heating and water on a timer

If your central heating and hot water are on all the time, you may be forking out for heating you don’t need. If you and your family are out all day, you don’t need to have instant hot water, and you certainly don’t need to heat your home all day. Instead, set both on a timer so that you have heating when you need it and enough water to accommodate your family in the evening and first thing in the morning.

If it’s freezing outside, then it’s worth having your heating on low to avoid burst pipes, but having it on all day is unnecessary.

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4 easy ways to cut down on your energy bills

4 easy ways to cut down on your energy billscredit

Do you know that energy consumption accounts for a large chunk of your monthly household expenses? According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the average monthly electricity bill is $115-$1380 per year. Of course, your energy bills might be higher or lower depending on where you live, size of your home and the number of appliances and devices that you use.

Illustration of a person switching off an air conditioner

Turn off your HVAC unit

There’s no need to leave your heating or air conditioning unit on when you’re not at home or no one is in specific rooms. For example, if you live in a 2-bed flat, only turn on the cooling or heating in areas of the home that are occupied.

It’s wasteful to turn it on in rooms that no one’s in just because you want to keep the room warm or cool. Most HVAC units are so efficient they’ll cool or warm a room within 3-5 minutes of turning them on, so the space will be comfortable within minutes.

Illustration of a thermostat

Use your thermostat optimally

Did you know that you can save up to 10 percent of your heating and cooling costs if you optimised your thermostat?

The Department of Energy states that setting your thermostat at 78ºF in the summer and 68ºF in the winter will provide the highest energy efficiency, and reduce your energy costs. Therefore, even if you or your housemates aren’t accustomed to this temperature, consider trying this in your home.

Community solar energy

Switch to community solar

If you choose solar energy as an alternative means of energy for your home, you could save a lot of money in the future. However, most people struggle with the initial upfront costs associated with solar panel installations.

This is where community solar providers come in. These providers offer a way for consumers to enjoy the same electricity without any downtime for a guaranteed 10% savings. Community solar works in the same manner as your energy provider.

The only difference is instead of other sources of energy, the utility company gets its power from solar farms and then transmits the power to you. All you have to do is fill out a form and you’ll automatically get a 10 percent discount on your average monthly bill.

Joining a community solar initiative not only saves you money, but also helps the country and county cut down on carbon emissions so climate change can be stalled and, hopefully, reversed.

Illustration of an unplugedg lightbulb

Unplug devices and appliances

It doesn’t matter if your appliances or devices are turned off. As long as they’re plugged into the power socket, they’ll still consume electricity. This is why you should consider actually unplugging all your devices when they’re not in use.

This way, they won’t keep consuming electricity when they’re not actually in use. Most people aren’t aware that their devices still consume power. These ‘leakages’ contribute to your energy consumption, resulting in higher energy bills.

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