Now that we’re deep into the run-up to the slightly stressful and decidedly expensive time of year that is Christmas, I thought it was the perfect time to have think about some of the ways in which we can all save a few pennies through some basic lifestyle choices – or ‘life-hacks’.
This is because, more often then not, it’s our daily habits that can add up over the course of the year to really ramp up the bills. So why not try some of these top money-saving ideas?
Quick and cheap shopping options
Shopping is one of the areas that can be made much easier and cheaper thanks to the online revolution. Discount codes are something that have been introduced to entice customers to buy a company’s products online, and I’d really recommend that everyone start using them.
If you’ve got your heart set on a product, simply do an online search for the company, followed by the words ‘voucher codes’, and you can often find you’ll save a respectable amount of money on that purchase. And for those looking for a few gift ideas, then sites like Voucher Codes and Deals Daddy offer a range of up-to-date promotions and offers.
Similarly, if you’re shopping online, it’s important to think about delivery costs, as these can often be surprisingly expensive. Many retailers such as Bedstar have introduced a great next day delivery service that should mean that you can spend less time out shopping, and more time enjoying the festive season instead!
Household saving tips
All of us will have been hit by that sometimes-astronomical winter electricity bill. And research has revealed that if we leave electrical appliances on standby, they can cost us £86 per year. So be sure to turn items off at the wall socket when not in use. It can be hard to tell if a plug is drawing power, but a simple way to check is to see if it’s producing heat. If so, it will probably be drawing power.
When doing the household laundry, make sure that you’re only doing washes with a full load as a way to save on water bills. And I’ve personally found that there’s little difference between the results of washing clothes on high or low temperatures, so be sure to use a low temperature and your clothes will last longer too! However, it does sometimes make sense to wash towels and bedding on a higher heat to make sure you eliminate any nasty bugs.
And finally, it can be tempting to fill up the shopping trolley with little financial thought when we visit the supermarket. But by budgeting carefully, planning a week’s meals in advance, and buying in bulk, we can reap the cost benefits in no time. In the winter months, I find it’s a good time to stock up the freezer with some batch-made recipes, which will save you time and money so that you’re free to enjoy this wonderful time of the year!
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