17 Ways To Save Money Around The House
With the soaring costs of living and energy prices, many households are looking at ways to stretch their budgets. Unfortunately, inflation is real, and food and gas prices are skyrocketing.
What can you do to fight inflation and rising costs? From figuring out the best ways to save money and saving money in the laundry room to tips on using less money in the kitchen, we all want to know how to save money.
Luckily, there are some clever ways to cut costs around the house to make things more manageable.
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17 Ways To Save Money Around The House
In The Kitchen
1. Make a Menu and Stick to It
Save yourself time and money and go to the grocery store with a list and a plan. Plan your meals for the week and buy only items needed for meal prep.
Stick to the outer isles of the store; that's usually where the fresh produce is kept, and steer clear of the inner isles where tempting processed foods are displayed.
Tip: Check higher and lower shelves for the store or generic brands and save a few dollars per item.
2. Eat More Produce
Meat is expensive. Fill more of your plate with fruits and vegetables, and pick a day or two per week to go meat-free.
Make sure you buy produce that's in season. Unfortunately, stores sometimes more than double the price for produce out of season. Yikes.
3. Set your (Dish)washer to Eco Mode
Have you ever wondered what the eco mode on dishwashers or washing machines means? This mode saves energy.
It will give you the best cleaning power at a lower cost, saving you money on energy bills.
If you're due for an upgrade, check out these energy-efficient dishwashers for eco-friendly options.
4. No Need for Bottled Water
These days you get water filters that you can attach to your taps or water filter pitchers. These work out cheaper over time, and it's better for the environment, too.
Buy yourself some nice reusable bottles and fill them up at home. Make sure the water filter pitcher is NSF-certified and BPA-free.
This will work out much cheaper than buying bottled water - go ahead, do the math.
5. Make your Own Coffee
There's a saying that not buying coffee won't make you rich, which might be accurate, but saving that money undoubtedly adds up nicely.
Invest in good coffee at home, in nice cups and to-go mugs, and count your extra money at the end of the month with a smile.
6. Make your Own Household Cleaners
Some of the cheapest ingredients can be used to make household cleaners; you probably already have them in your home.
Learn how to clean with baking soda, vinegar, and lemons. Your wallet and the environment will thank you.
Save Money Around The House
7. Unplug Unused Electronics
But why? Many devices still use electricity even though they're not on but plugged in.
How much could you possibly save? Well, if your blender, can opener, stove, microwave, coffee maker, cell phone charger, monitor, video game console, TV, and the printer still use power when plugged in but not in use...that adds up.
Make a habit of unplugging these after you've used them, and save a few $100 every year.
8. Turn Down the Thermostat While You're Away
Does your home need to be at the perfect temperature while no one is there during the day?
Nope.
Adjust your thermostat up or down a few degrees (depending on the season) while you're not home.
Many newer models can be controlled remotely through your smartphone so that you can adjust the temperature from anywhere.
You won't even notice the difference, but your wallet will.
9. Weatherstripping to Lower Utility Bills
If you can see the light creeping beneath exterior doors, the hot/ cold air is also escaping.
So put your DIY hat on, grab some self-adhesive rubber foam weatherstripping, and get busy.
Seal all doors that lead outside. Also, check your windows, and ensure your home's insulation is top-notch.
10. Install a Water Heater Timer
Let's be honest; you only use hot water when you clean and shower/ take a bath. Installing a water heater timer will save you tons on your utility bill because the water heater will only be on for a short period every day.
I save a lot with mine, only switching it on before I shower.
But what do you do if you need hot water randomly during the day? Use your kettle to boil enough water to clean and do your dishes without switching on your big water heater.
11. Be Water Wise
Repair dripping faucets.
Install a low-flow shower head in your shower to save water and money.
Run full loads in dishwashers and washing machines.
The machine uses the same amount of energy whether it contains a full load or not, so it's best to maximize its efficiency by maximizing its allowable load.
12. Install a Clothesline
Dry your clothes by using the power of the sun.
There's something therapeutic about hanging laundry.
If you don't have a yard or outdoor space, invest in a drying rack or hang your clothes on hangers to dry indoors.
Your clothes will last longer, too, as the heat from the dryer can cause shrinkage and damage to fabrics over time.
13. Repurpose Old Clothing
Do you have a pile of clothes you'll never wear again?
Grab a pair of scissors and cut them into rags.
Use these for painting, dusting, cleaning, wiping the leaves of your plants, in your car, and wherever else a rag is needed.
14. Repurpose Old Jars and Containers for Free Storage
Everything comes in a container, and most of it can be repurposed.
When shopping, choose products that come in glass containers rather than plastic. How you repurpose these and what you store in them will last much longer than in a plastic container.
There are tons of ideas on how to repurpose soap bottles, shoeboxes, mason jars, ice cream pails, soda bottles, canned goods, and the list goes on.
Do not buy expensive storage containers when you can find ways to use the ones you've already paid for.
Save Money By Taking Care Of Your Car
15. Carpool (or Use Public Transportation)
I get it; you're not always in the mood for other people on your way to work, but carpooling is a great way to save money. Alternatively, if public transport is available to you, use it.
Even if it's only a few days a week and the other days you take your car, it'll certainly make a difference in your budget.
16. Keep Tires in Alignment
If your tires are out of alignment, they'll wear faster, and your car will drag to one side - both equate to more money spent on gas.
"But it costs money to go for an alignment!"
You'll save more money by paying and fixing the alignment than by letting your car drag along.
17. Check Tire Pressure Regularly
If your tire pressure is too low, your car has a higher rolling resistance, and your tires wear out faster.
So? Higher rolling resistance means your engine works harder, using more gas. The faster your tires wear out, the quicker you need to buy new ones.
Check your tire pressure at least once a month.
The Bottom Line
If you're serious about saving money, try all or some of the suggestions on this list. How much can you possibly save by doing these things? Of course, you won't become rich overnight by doing any of these, but you'll have extra money to play around with every month. And if you consistently find ways to cut costs, you'll be in a much better place by the end of the year than you were before.