If you are finding that you are reaching the very limit of your bank account at the end of every month, you may need to reassess your household budget. With grocery bills ever increasing, a need to keep your home warm in winter, and the all important car maintenance to ensure that you can ferry your little darlings from A to B, it can be hard to manage your budget effectively. However, by shaving your expenditure you can find yourself with more money at the end of the month. This can go into savings or be put towards a big ticket item like a holiday, kids college fund or new motor. Take a look at this guide to help you save money on your household budget.
Utility Bills
If your home is cold in the winter no matter how high you have your thermostat or how much you use your heating, there is an issue with something inside the home. Your windows may have faulty seals or you might not have adequate insulation in your loft space. Without insulation heat will rise and escape through your attic space. By spending money on decent insulation, you will find that your heating bills decrease as you no longer need to set your thermostat so high. If your windows need replacing, source top quality double glazing to keep the heat in and reduce drafts.
You may also find that some of your appliances aren’t energy efficient. If your dishwasher costs a lot to run, consider looking into the affordable home water softener systems on the market today. Softer water makes appliances work more efficiently and will aid in the running of your heating system, reducing your utility bills.
One of the easiest ways to save money on your utility bills is to consider switching energy providers. There are plenty of companies like TXU that can provide great rates. TXU energy plans are designed to save you more and keep your carbon footprint low too.
Grocery Shopping
While we all have a favourite supermarket, it pays to shop around when looking for the weekly food shop. Try and seek out offers and vouchers in the media such as local newspapers and online. If your family loves a certain brand of crisps from a well known supermarket, but the one next door does a nigh on identical tasting brand for half the price, be sensible and give them a go. You have nothing to lose. By exploiting the offers and buy one get one free deals you can save a small fortune each week on your grocery bill.
Your Car
If you have a clapped out old banger on the drive, and you haven’t got the money to purchase a new vehicle, you may be creating a false economy. An older car will cost more yearly in terms of maintenance and fuel. Newer vehicles are more fuel efficient, and the latest hybrid models are even cheaper to run as you only need to recharge a battery. Consider leasing rather than buying as this can include all maintenance, tax and your MOT, meaning you just need to buy petrol, insurance and the odd tyre or two. Remember you only need a car for practical reasons so don’t opt for a swanky motor only for it to depreciate the moment that you drive it from the forecourt.
Your household budget can be tricky to overhaul, but with a few tweaks here and there you can ensure that your home is as financially healthy as possible.
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