Whether you’re saving for something special, or simply trying to make ends meet, we’d all like to spend less money. Individually, household bills might seem small (or at least some of them!), but together they mount up – the average yearly cost of bills alone in the UK is £3,329. That’s a lot of money! Now we have two kids, we’re really noticing the pinch! The good news is, with a few savvy switches, you could shave hundreds off this number. Here are five top tips to help you save those pennies.
- Switch to direct debits
If you’re not already paying bills through direct debit, now is the time. Most companies will give you a discount for signing up via direct debit, meaning that you can make a saving on your payments every month. (Goes without saying, but read your terms and conditions first).
This is also a good time to spring clean your old direct debits – if you’re serious about saving, be as ruthless as you can. Whether it’s a gym membership that you don’t have time for (lots of gyms have pay-as-you-go access that can actually work out cheaper if you don’t use it much!), a magazine subscription, or app membership, prune everything that you don’t need. Your wallet will thank you for it.
- Shop around for the best deals
It’s not just how you pay, it’s what – or who – you pay. It’s not that big a deal to spend a few hours chasing down the best offer, and doing so could save you tons of money. Big things like holidays really need a bit of research. You’ll be surprised how much you can save. From packages for Universal tickets to your local zoo. Having a look around and finding the best holiday deals will save you a fortune.
- Use less energy
Put a jumper on instead of the heating, don’t fill the kettle with more water than you need, don’t turn lights on when you’re not in the room. You might be surprised how much these small actions can build up, but if you’re looking for a bit more impact, you can try insulating your loft and buying energy-efficient appliances as well. You can insulate your radiators cheaply with cardboard covered in tinfoil (put this between the radiator and the wall to reduce heat leakage), and energy-efficient lightbulbs are cheap and everywhere.
- Consider a water meter
Most of us have an electricity meter, but it’s not quite as common to have a water meter – if you don’t have one yet, it might be a good idea to get one installed. This means you can only pay for what you use – and it’s simple to use less. Just cutting down on baths, taking shorter showers, and not leaving the tap running when you brush your teeth can help you use less water. You can also bask in the knowledge that you’re helping to save the planet!
- Batch Cook
Such a simple thing. But this is how you can save time and money. Batch cooking means you only use the cooker once. It also means there’s usually less food waste and can save you up to an hour a day. As winter heads towards us, now’s the time to start getting your soup and stew recipes out. It stops the last-minute takeaway urge too when you’re too tired to cook and it means you’ve always got extra for when you have unexpected guests. It’s a no-lose money-saving tip. You can thank me later!
