Some small changes in your habits can better help with your savings, budgeting practices, and reducing your bills. Follow these tips!
1. Clothes
- When buying clothes, check if you can wash them yourself to avoid dry cleaning services.
- Make sure the clothes you buy can be mixed and matched so you can have more options out of fewer items.
- Look for and take advantage of end-of-season clearances, bargains, and deals to pay less.
2. Food & groceries
- Cut back on how often you go out for dinner.
- Plan meals in advance.
- Make and take a shopping list with you and stick to it.
- Set a shopping budget and just bring the exact amount you need.
- Compare item prices.
- Grow your own food (veggies) at home.
- Before going to the supermarket, eat a snack. You tend to buy more food when you’re hungry.
- When things are cheaper, buy in bulk. You can cut up bulk meat into pieces then freeze them, so you can use it as you need it.
- Shop every fortnight to use up all the food in your pantry before buying again.
- Consider generic products over the brand names you want to buy.
- Always check the ‘best before’ dates on food so you don’t buy things near their expiry date.
- Check the shelves above and below for alternatives as supermarkets promote the items at eye-level.
3. Electricity, gas, & water
- When you’re not using them, turn off appliances.
- Take advantage and use natural light during daytime.
- Instead of turning on the heater or AC, dress for the temperature accordingly.
- Seal up any cracks or gaps around your doors, windows, ceilings, and floors.
- Hang your washing outside or use an indoor clothes rack instead of the dryer.
- Instead of an electric blanket, use a hot water bottle.
- When cooking, turn off the stove before the food is done to let the residual heat finish the job.
- Install a dual flush on your toilet and a water efficient showerhead.
- Take showers quickly.
- Turn off the tap when you brush your teeth.
- Fix plumbing leaks around the house.
- Reuse water for your garden.
- When you wash dishes or rinse fruits and vegetables, put a plug in the sink.
- Adjust the water level in your dishwasher or washing machine to match a partial load.
- Use cold water in washing your clothes.
4. Getting fit
- Shop around for the best gym membership deal.
- Do some exercise by walking the dog around your local oval and using free apps.
- Group personal training, boot camps, or team sports can be cost effective.
5. Reduce bank fees
Look for financial institutions that offer basic bank accounts, with:
- no minimum deposit amounts
- no account keeping fees
- no overdrawn fees
- free monthly statements.
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