By John
Whatever your reason for wanting to cut household expenses — whether simply to make ends meet, or to save money for another purpose — there are essentially four ways of looking at how to go about it: using less, wasting less, buying less, and getting the best deals.
You need to take a long hard look at everything you consume at home to see what you can cut back on. In most cases the solution won’t involve much pain at all when you realize how much money you are going to save, but other solutions will inevitably involve a change in lifestyle and some sacrifice. One way of achieving the savings you want could be by aiming to reduce your expenditure in each category by, say, 5 or even 10%.
One of the most common questions we receive here, at DontSpendMore.com, is “how to cut household expenses?” Here is a list of the main categories of household expenses and some of the actions you could be taking or options you could be considering:
ELECTRICITY – How Can You Use Less, Waste Less, Buy Less, Get Best Deals…
* Use a programmable thermostat for your heating — turn the temperature up say 10 degrees before you go to bed and before you leave the house.
* Use space heaters instead of central heating.
* Make sure the house is leak-proof – doors, windows, other cracks.
* Insulate the roof and attic.
* Switch off appliances when not using them.
* Unplug all appliances when away from home, or at least use power strips.
* Buy Energy Star-rated appliances for greater economy.
* Run major appliances in the evening.
* Could you switch to gas?
* Could you switch from central air-conditioning to individual units?
* Use a fan instead of air-conditioning.
* Turn off lights when you leave the room.
* Switch to CFL or LED light bulbs.
* Comparison-shop to get the best rate.
WATER – How Can You Use Less, Waste Less, Buy Less, Get Best Deals…
* Take less showers and keep them short.
* Turn off faucets when brushing teeth, shaving, lathering.
* Find and fix leaks.
* Operate the dishwasher and washing machine on full loads.
* Water your lawn in the evening.
* Use a broom not a hose to clean your sidewalk.
* Wash the car using a bucket not a hose.
* Collect rainwater for use in the garden.
GROCERIES – How Can You Use Less, Waste Less, Buy Less, Get Best Deals…
* Use leftovers in a different menu.
* Don’t throw out good food – “Best Before ___” does NOT mean “Inedible After ___”.
* Eat less meat.
* Make a list of your needs, not wants, before you go shopping.
* Have a meal before you go shopping.
* Buy generic brands not brand names.
* Buy stores’ own products.
* Comparison-shop.
* Clip coupons.
* Research good deals online.
* Buy big or in bulk (not perishable foods).
* Don’t buy bottled water.
* Grow your own vegetables if you have the space.
TRANSPORTATION – How Can You Use Less, Waste Less, Buy Less, Get Best Deals…
* Keep your car in good working order.
* Walk more.
* Bike to work.
* Cut down the number of trips to the shops.
* Comparison-shop for best insurance rates.
* Check for discounts.
* Make sure your insurance policy fits your family’s circumstances.
* Buy spare parts yourself for the garage or mechanic to fit.
* Do the basic maintenance yourself.
* If you have more than one car, could you sell one?
* Could you downgrade your car?
MEDIA – How Can You Use Less, Waste Less, Buy Less, Get Best Deals…
* Bundle as many services as you can (cable, TV, phones, internet) with one provider. *Negotiate the best deal with that provider.
* Can you drop cable TV and watch shows online?
* Only pay for the TV channels you actually watch.
* Can you drop the landline if all your family own cellphones?
* Make sure your cellphone plan fits your usage patterns.
* Text less.
* Consider a pre-paid plan.
ENTERTAINMENT – How Can I Use Less, Waste Less, Buy Less, Get Best Deals…
* Read books from the library instead of buying them.
* Rent movies instead of going to the theatre.
* Search for free concerts.
* Set a strict budget for eating out, and be modest in your choice of menu items and wines. * Go for a picnic instead?
* Make more of your own meals, including lunch.
* Cut back on visits to the coffee-shop, make your own coffee and take it with you.
* Cut back on home delivery meals.
We hope this article addressed your question about how to cut household expenses. If so, please do let us know in the comments below.
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