Are you looking for ways to make your home more financially economical as well as more eco-friendly? There are many different ways you can achieve this- from small, simple changes, to bigger improvements to your home. We’ve created a list of ideas to help you make changes around your home and save you money both in the short, and long term. Read on to learn more.
Bulk Cook And Freeze Meals
We all know that eating out too much and spending on takeaways can build up to a large amount of money if we’re not careful. Eating at home is a great way to save money, as well as being healthier and equipping you with valuable skills. Try and stick to one or two bigger shops per month, and factor in how many meals can be made from each trip. Bulk cook meals, pop them in reusable containers and freeze them. This way you will have saved time and money cooking one big batch that can last for a week or two. They’re a great option if you don’t have time to cook in the evenings or need lunch to take to work.
Wash On Colder Cycles
Washing your clothes on a colder cycle can help you save money on your energy bills and be more environmentally friendly. Certain wash loads don’t always need to be washed at as high temperatures as you may think, and can actually come out perfectly clean on a 30-degree wash.
Air Drying Laundry
Whilst it might be more convenient to put washing in the tumble dryer, it’s not great on your pocket or the environment. You can save more money by using a clothes horse, or drying washing on the line outside. Another benefit of this is that your clothes will come out smelling great too, as that just-washed smell stays stronger.
Change Your Bulbs To LED
LED lights use less energy to produce light, so you can brighten your home with lower energy bills. They also last longer than standard light bulbs, so they’ll save money in the long term too.
Consider Investing In A New Boiler And Heating System
A new boiler can help you to save money over time as it will be more energy-efficient than older, outdated models. It can also be completed within a day, so it doesn’t affect your time too much. There can be a big initial cost with installing a new boiler, but some companies offer finance options to pay for them in instalments. Visit Boiler Central to find out more information here, to learn more on the benefits of installing a new heating system.
Insulating Your Home
Improving the insulation in your home can help reduce the heat that leaks out during the winter. After adding extra insulation to your home, you’ll find that you don’t have to have your heating on as high. This will reduce your energy bills and your carbon footprint. If you have the budget, you could invest in new double or triple glazing for your windows, and new doors which will prevent heat from escaping. However, if you don’t have the money for this, there are cheaper options to help reduce lost heat. Draught excluders are cheap to buy and can be placed underneath your doors to block any gaps. You could also seal gaps around windows with sealant, especially helpful if you have older windows.
Off-Peak Electricity Bills
Energy tends to be cheaper after midnight and before 6am in the UK as these are considered off-peak hours. However, this can vary according to your energy provider so it’s worth researching this first. So, if you happen to be up and about, this could be a good time to get washing and drying done and save some money on your bills.
Turn Down The Heating
It might sound obvious, but consider turning down your heating in the winter if you’re healthy enough to do so. Hot water bottles, blankets, and a few extra layers can help to give your finances a break from the soaring cost of energy in the colder months.
Put Together A Budget Plan
Perhaps the most useful way to understand your finances and cut costs where possible is to put together a budget plan if you don’t already have one. It allows you to see exactly how much you’ve got coming in and going out, as well as where the money you’re spending is going. This way you can make alterations to your lifestyle, and afford to put more money aside for a rainy day.
Handmake Gifts
If you’re the creative type, handmaking gifts and presents is a great way to save money over birthdays and special occasions. It will also be more meaningful and show the person receiving the gift that you’re willing to take the time and effort to make them unique and thoughtful.
