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 send us your ideas and we will add it in to the page. Special thanks to Kathryn Raphael for sending in the last update.