Cutting costs is top of the agenda for most households. No matter your financial situation, keeping an eye on your spending and reducing your outgoings where possible makes for a healthier and happier bank balance in the long run.
We’ve pulled together some simple tips* from money-saving experts to help you cut costs at home.
Almost all electrical appliances in homes continue to use power unless they are unplugged – just think of your computer, television or games console sitting on standby every day! By turning off the power switch at the socket or unplugging appliances altogether when not in use, you could save your household £65 a year.
Alongside this, it’s worth looking at the energy efficiency rating of your larger appliances, such as fridges, freezers, washing machines, dishwashers and TVs. All should have a rating between A and G, with A being the most energy efficient and G being the least. This labelling allows you to compare models by how much electricity they use. For example, upgrading from a C-rated washing machine to an A-rated one could reduce the energy you use to wash your clothes by 25%.
Though it’s important to keep your house at a minimum temperature of 18°C to protect your health and remain comfortable, turning down radiator valves in the rooms you’re not using could save you another £70 a year.
Turn the valve down to between 2.5 and 3 (roughly 18°C) in unoccupied rooms. While you may think it’s better to turn off radiators completely, this is actually less energy efficient, as your boiler has to work harder to increase the temperature when needed – strange, but true!
Did you know that washing your clothes at a lower temperature of 30°C uses over 50% less electricity and could save you £17 a year? While it may not sound like a lot of money, making this small change requires minimal effort and it’s better for the environment – so what’s not to love?
Read more energy saving tips from Cadent here.
By finding and fixing draughts and keeping more heat in, you could look forward to saving up to £60 a year in heating costs, too.
Draught-proofing is one of the cheapest and most effective ways to prevent heat escaping from your home and therefore reduce your energy bills.
Block unwanted gaps around doors and chimneys that let the cold air in, and consider purchasing window film – a cheaper, temporary double-glazing – to stop heat escaping through windows. Another quick way to stop warmth escaping is to make sure you close all curtains and blinds in the evening.
By finding and fixing draughts and keeping more heat in, you could look forward to saving up to £60 a year in heating costs, too. Nice.
Meal prepping and storing extra portions in your freezer is a great way to reduce your reliance on takeaways and eating out.
While it’s not currently recommended to switch providers due to the ongoing gas crisis, switching can usually save you money if you’ve been with your utility provider for a while.
Using comparison websites such as Compare the Market or Uswitch allows you to compare quotes from providers to see if you could be paying less on your gas, electricity or broadband bills – it’s worth shopping around.
According to HSBC, food shopping is one of the biggest weekly expenses for families in the UK – but there are definitely small things you can do to reduce your bill.
Try setting a weekly budget and sticking to it when you go shopping – don’t get tempted by those last-minute bits at the checkout! Planning your weekly meals and writing a shopping list before you go can also help you to stick within your budget, as can switching from fancier brands to supermarket own brands.
Meal prepping and storing extra portions in your freezer is a great way to reduce your reliance on takeaways and eating out. If you need some meal inspiration, why not try one of the BBC’s £1 dinner ideas?
Find more tips from HSBC on how to save money on your food shop here.
If you often do your weekly food shopping online, it’s definitely worth signing up to a cashback website.
By simply clicking through the website’s referral link when you go to start online shopping, you rack up a bit of cashback in your account. While it may only be an extra pound or two at first, this can soon add up. Check out websites such as Quidco and TopCashback to find out more.Â
If you can, try to schedule one ‘no spend weekend’ every month. As the name suggests, this is where you shape your weekend around free activities only, like going on local walks, enjoying a film or board game night, or visiting a free museum.
By practising this routine once a month, you may even discover new (free) activities that you enjoy, saving even more money in the long run!
Check out our article on accessible tourist attractions for some activity inspiration.
Alongside any standard benefits and/or grants you receive, the Government is currently offering to help households save up to £1,300 on their energy bills through the Energy Price Guarantee and Energy Bill Support Scheme.
See what support is available for your household by heading to the Help for Households website , or by using Cadent’s Benefits Calculator.
The Priority Services Register (PSR) is a free service, designed to support those who need a little extra help in the event of interruptions to their gas, water or electricity supply.
If you or someone you know has extra communication, access or safety needs, signing up to the PSR will help you to access the best possible services at all times and to feel safe and independent at home.
