20 Money saving tips | How to save money at home

20 Money saving tips | How to save money at home | YBS

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At a glance:

Saving starts at home! Find out how making small changes could bring your costs down to size.

Try planning your meals and having a week shop delivered to avoid impulse purchases.

Insulation and bleeding your radiators could help bring energy costs down.

Increase your energy efficiency

One of the best ways to cut your monthly bills (by up £390 annually ) is by reducing how much energy you use.

Simple steps can help lower your costs, including:

Switching to LED light bulbs

Sealing gaps in doors and windows

Installing a programmable thermostat

Use our energy saving tool to find new ways to cut down on the amount of energy you use.

Try DIY

Basic DIY skills can save you money on home repairs. Fixing minor plumbing issues, painting rooms and decorating can mean you don’t need to hire outside help.

Make sure you’re confident you can do the job first! It may cost more in the long run if you need to hire an expert to fix a tricky job later.

Sell unwanted items

Declutter your home and sell items you no longer need or use. Online platforms like Vinted and eBay, or local car boots sales are a good way to sell your things you no longer need. You can then use the money from these sales to boost your savings or pay off debt.

Start budgeting

A monthly budget to monitor your income and expenses can help you save money at home.

Tracking your spending habits can help you find areas where you can cut back. You could create your own spreadsheet to track expenses or try an online tool like our budget calculator.

Try meal planning

Meal planning is a great way to spend less at the supermarket. Plan your meals in advance, create a shopping list, and cook at home to save.

Try online food shopping

Supermarkets are designed to make you buy. Try online shopping and stick to a set list of items. This can help you avoid temptation and mean you spend less.

If you aren’t picky about when your food arrives, getting it delivered late in the evening can mean the slot is cheaper.

Try a fakeaway

Instead of a takeaway, try making your own. There are many recipes online to recreate your favourites for a lot less money than ordering direct.

‘Fakeaways’ can be healthier than the original, too. If you cook in bulk and freeze the extra portions, you don’t even need to cook the next time. And it could be quicker to reheat in the microwave than wait for a delivery.

That’s not to say you can’t have a treat now and then! If you want a takeaway, it might be cheaper to order directly from the website or over the phone, instead of using third-party delivery services that apply an extra charge. If you can, collect the order yourself to save on the delivery fee too.

Avoid standby mode

Standby mode on appliances still consumes energy. Turning electrical items like the TV, toaster, games console, speakers and kettle off at the plug while they aren’t being used saves energy.

According to the Energy Saving Trust, turning off electricals instead of using standby mode could save you up to £55 a year.

Bleed your radiators

Bleeding your radiators – which means releasing air that has become trapped inside – can make them perform better.

Make sure you turn your heating off and that your radiators are completely cold before starting.

Then, lay down some towels and use a valve key to loosen the bleed valve. Listen for the hissing sound of air escaping, then tighten it back up once the noise ends.

Wash on a lower temperature

Standby mode on appliances still consumes energy. Turning electrical items like the TV, toaster, games console, speakers and kettle off at the plug while they aren’t being used saves energy.

Reducing the temperature that you wash your clothes on will use less energy. Washing at 30 degrees, instead of 40 degrees, could save you up to £23 a year.

Insulate your water tank

Insulating your water tank could save you money every year. The Energy Saving Trust reports that covering your water tank with an insulated jacket could save up to £45 a year. This is more than the average cost of an insulation jacket (around £20-£25).

Use an efficient shower head

A water efficient shower head could save the amount of water you use each time you shower. Using less water also means less energy spent heating it up, so you could save money on energy, too.

Try wonky fruit and veg

Many supermarkets sell ‘wonky’ vegetables – which may look a little misshapen or not as perfect as the veg we’re used to seeing. These bags are often cheaper and will taste the same.

Try to buy vegetable and fruit that’s in season, too. Buying vegetables that are out of season means they will be shipped in from further away, which can mean they cost more.

Buy in bulk

In some cases, buying in bulk can be cheaper than paying retail.

Check the price per unit when buying in bulk to ensure that you’re getting the best deal. While it’s not a good idea to buy surplus of everything, some items you may look to bulk buy are:

Things you’ll always need like bin bags, toothpaste, hand soap and toilet roll.

Cleaning products like detergent, sponges and surface wipes.

Long lasting food like pasta and rice.

Pocket you change

Every coin you get – as little as a penny and as much as £2 – put into a big jar and forget about it. Cash it in once a year! Whether it’s for Christmas or a summer holiday, you may be surprised how much you’ve managed to put away.

Try cash instead of cards

It can be easy to spend quickly on a credit or debit card. Try withdrawing cash – you may find it easier to keep track of your budget and be more reluctant to spend.

Save your pay rise

If you are lucky enough to get a pay rise, put the difference into a savings account with no access. This means you’ll save without needing to sacrifice what you already earn.

No spend weekend

Try a 'no-spend weekend' once or twice a month. Instead of going to the shops or eating out, why not cook at home, go for a walk, have a movie night in or a games night? Then save the money you would have spent. It will soon add up!

Wait before making that purchase

Seen something you fancy? Take a pause. Try writing a list of the items you want to buy, then check it again in a set number of days (two weeks to a month). You may be surprised at how many things you no longer want to buy.

Direct debit day

It can be easier to save when you remove the temptation. Try setting up a direct debit from your current account to your savings account. This can make it easier to know how much you can spend – guilt-free – every month.