Money Saving Ideas

Saving Electricity

• Where possible install low energy light bulbs. They use about 25% of the power and pay for themselves quite quickly.
• If you use an electric kettle - don't fill it up to the top every time. Just use enough water for your hot drinks - around 300 ml per person.
• Dishwashers - don't just use the standard wash settings - experiment with the economy wash settings - the wash quality is often the same, but you will save on electricity
• Tumble Dryers - When our tumble dryer broke down we saved a small fortune by pegging our washing out on the line - our clothes did not shrink and they smelt much better
• Washing machines - we tend to over wash clothes. Experiment with lower temperature washes. You can usually still get clothes clean on a 30 or 40 degree wash
• It sounds obvious, but turn off lights when you leave a room.
• Unplug any electrical devices such as chargers when they are not is use. Even when they are on standby they still take up power

Saving Water

• If your water bill is very high you may want to get a water meter installed. This way you can regulate the amount of water that you use
• Install some water butts - these are quite simply done and will save you quite a lot on your water bill - they will also get you around a hose pipe ban.

Household savings

• Wear a pullover, cardigan or vest in colder weather. "We tend to heat up our surroundings rather than ourselves" my father used to say. This can save a real fortune on heating costs.
• Detergent. We all tend to use too much detergent. Manufacturers usually give us large scoops and wide nozzles to encourage us to use more. Try using 30% less per wash. You probably won't notice the difference.
• Join an Organic Box Scheme for vegetables. This is a "lucky-dip" box of vegetables - depending upon what is in season. We have a mixed box of fruit and veg delivered to the house every week (10- 11 items for £11.50). Being grown locally, it cuts down food miles and is better for the natural environment.

Shopping

• Don't buy clothes in the sales. The clothes may be going out of fashion and you may only wear it a few times. Much to buy something that you really like and wear it a lot.

If you have any more money saving ideas please drop us a line and we will add it in to the page. Special thanks to Kathryn Raphael for sending in the last update.