Times are tough. And it looks like it’s going to get worse before it gets better. That said, there are still a lot of things you can do to cut costs at home. Whether you live alone or with your family, making a few changes to your day to day activities will surely add up and help bring relief to your finances.
Here are those changes:
Shopping
Shopping is a part of life. Whether you’re replacing worn-down clothes or picking up your groceries for the week, you can really avoid spending money on shopping. Thankfully, there are some things to help you bring down shopping costs.
- Coupons and Sales — Shopping during a sale is a great way to save money. But don’t get carried away. Just because something is on sale doesn’t mean you need it. If it’s something that you’re absolutely sure you need now or will need in the future, then buying it on sale is ideal. You should also follow this rule with coupons. Just because you have a discount coupon, doesn’t automatically make it a great purchase. Be honest with yourself and think whether you need something before purchasing it.
- Cashback and Rewards — Since shopping cannot be avoided, you might as well get some money you spend back through cashback and reward programs. A lot of stores offer this program. Ask the stores you most frequent. Credit cards also usually have some kind of rewards program for using their cards when buying. Make smarter purchases and get some cash back or points.
Bills
Bills are also unavoidable. For some, it’s their monthly reminder of responsibilities. But just because they are always there, doesn’t mean they always need to be expensive.
- Power Bills — Power bills are among the biggest monthly expenses for the modern household. Reducing these costs will take collective action from everyone in your home. Use energy as efficiently as possible. Instead of just turning off light switches when no one is in the room, for example, why not replace your incandescent bulbs with LED lights that are guaranteed to be significantly more power-efficient and durable. Here’s the department of Energy with more helpful pointers.
- Phone bills — Everyone has a smartphone because everyone needs a smartphone. You can reduce your phone bills by switching to a carrier that makes more sense for you. Are you a heavy user? Do you only need your phone for calls and text messages? Answer these questions as you look around for the best deals with different providers. Compare and contrast and decide whether you’re better off switching deals or turning off certain features. Some carriers charge only what users actually use — this may be for you.
Maintenance
Remember the adage, ‘prevention is better than cure?’ It’s incredibly popular because it’s true. It’s also true for home maintenance. Most issues in your home will get worse if they’re left alone over time. Worse issues mean more expensive solutions. You don’t want that.
- Home Electronics — Older or dysfunctional appliances use up more energy and drive up your power bills. Air-conditioners, for example, get less efficient over time, especially if they have issues. Having yourair-conditioning unit repaired can make sure it’s running at peak condition. If not, you can also replace these appliances and save money in the long run.
- Building — Issues with your exterior, piping, and other parts of your home’s structure can not only get more complicated and expensive but also be potentially dangerous. Address them as soon as you can. And don’t forget to have regular checkups to prevent issues from coming up.
Times are indeed tough, but with a little belt-tightening and smart decision-making, you can weather this storm. Follow these tips and share them with your friends and family. These will help keep your costs down and your savings up.
