If the sound of the postman and the sight of a bill on the hallway floor is enough to give you a panic attack, it might be time to start considering ways to reduce how much you pay for everything. While it often feels that there’s not a lot we can do about the size of our bills, the fact is that you have a lot more control than you think. In an age where people are not just keeping track of every penny, but also looking at becoming more eco-friendly, the solutions for lowering your ongoing costs are already available.
So if you’re looking for ways to reduce the potential of a heart attack every time you glance at your bill totals, these solutions might just help mitigate the risk. Here’s 4 IDEAL ways to get smaller bills and transform your finances.
GET INSULATION
Although this is not a new or small solution, insulating your home is one of the fastest and most efficient ways of reducing your overall energy costs. It’s quite simple really, in that the more insulation you have, the less heat can escape your home. The less that heat escapes, the less you need your heating on. Many professionals call home insulation the most important change to make to your home, and if you’re looking for the ultimate in eco-friendly solutions, then you could even opt for sustainable insulation materials like wool or cotton. Use recycled materials instead of the more common fibreglass, and you’ll be reducing your carbon footprint at the same time that you reduce your heating bills.
HEATING OPTIONS
Your heater and boiler will no doubt play a major factor in the size of your bills. If you have an old heating system in your home, then the chances are that it’s not going to be running at full efficiency. While you should always schedule a heating system check-up once a year, talk to professionals like Cooldudeac.co.uk, and you might find that they can offer you solutions and ideas to reduce your heating bills even more. With options like solar panels or biomass use and even dedicated heat pumps, you could end up with much greater control over your heating bills.
SMART LIGHTING
We’re all guilty of leaving lights on unnecessarily. Recent research has revealed that Brits waste an estimated £4.4billion a year, and all because they are not turning off their lights when they’re not needed! If you’re in the habit of leaving the lights on when you head out to work, or you keep accidentally leaving the lights on when you go to bed, then you’re going to notice the price when your bill arrives.
Smart lighting can transform your lighting controls, and you don’t need to invest in any outlay either. Simply buy a smart light bulb instead of your usual option, and you will be able to control your lighting wherever you are. Link up a smart thermostat, and you’ll really start to notice the difference in your monthly bills.
GROCERY SHOP MINDFULLY & USE YOUR LEFTOVERS
We’ve all been there; a long, stressful day at work and a late finish leads you straight to the ready meal section in the nearest supermarket section on your way home, the ingredients for that Bolognese safe in the fridge for at least another day.
If find yourself haemorrhaging money each month on your grocery bills, then it’s time to start shopping mindfully. Indeed, cutting back on frivolous food expenditure can have a major impact on your food shopping bills each month which you’ll notice almost immediately.
Start by making a shopping list, sticking to it and consider buying non-perishable items in bulk. One sure-fire way to save money on your grocery bills is to get busy in the kitchen. Cook large batches of whatever takes your fancy, saving money on lunch and dinner further down the week.