Running a household can be expensive, but only if you make it that way. There are plenty of pennywise options for consumers looking to cut household expenses without sacrificing comfort and convenience. From learning to use your home appliances in a more effective way to considering lower energy tariffs, here are all the details on saving more of your hard-earned money.
1. Cook smarter. One way you can reduce your bills is by cooking with less energy. For example, if you’re using a stove to prepare a meal, make sure that you use pots on the correct-sized burners to prevent heat loss. Also, cover each pot with a lid. Or if you can manage it, heating water in the microwave uses significantly less energy than heating it on the stove. For a long-term solution, look for energy-saving brands when you’re considering what kind of kitchen appliances to get.
2. Make your own humidifier. If you have access to the radiator or furnace in your home, positioning several pots of water around it serves as an excellent humidifier in the winter, which can help with respiratory problems as well as dry skin. But the most valuable effect of this trick is to retain heat indoors, since humid air does a better job of insulating than dry air.
3. Reduce your water usage. One of the easiest ways to do this is to fix leaky taps when they start; repairing a tap that drips even one drop of water every second can save thousands of gallons every year. Also, to reduce the amount of water you use when you flush, place a water-filled plastic bottle in your toilet tank to displace some of the water you would usually use when you flush. And don’t forget the most basic water-saving advice: turn off the water while you’re brushing your teeth, shaving, or washing dishes.
4. Make a habit out of searching for discounts. Discount shopping is a way of life that extends far beyond coupon clipping. The Internet is a vast resource that can help you in your quest for free products and services. Want to take a college course? See if there are online resources that can provide you with the knowledge for free. Do you want to read the latest murder mystery novel without buying it? There may be a free edition of it on Google Books. The bottom line: if there’s something that you’ve been meaning to do but don’t want to spend discretionary income on it, look it up online to see if there’s any way you can get it for free.
5. Research new energy providers. If you’re one of the hundreds of thousands of customers who are buckling under the pressure of price increases in electricity and natural gas, consider a switch. Researching energy providers in your area could make you privy to the cheapest gas and electricity available for households. Start a search online to see what you can find.
6. Save on laundry. This doesn’t necessarily mean cutting out the dry cleaning; you can save on laundry expenses by using your own washing machine and clothes dryer more efficiently. Use only cold water for washing clothes, and then air dry delicate items instead of putting them in the dryer. Also, if you’re on the market for new appliances, search for a front-loading washer that uses less water and electricity to operate.