
Redwan Eid
No doubt, the current living crisis casts a heavy shadow on all of us.
The average salary does not match with the ongoing inflation to make ends meet along the month. Hence, it is time we reviewed our lifestyle and shopping routine to see where there is room to cut down on any cost.
If we started by thinking about energy bills, we cannot find cheaper tariffs. But there is still room to save a few quid if we use our heating resources at home wisely.
Turning your thermostat down just one degree will cut the overall energy bill by around 4%, or £65 a year. So, lowering the radiator’s temperature from 21°C to 20°C, while that does not make a big impact on the home’s atmosphere, it will reduce the heating bill itself by 10%.
You can wash more clothes and still use the washing machine less often. We often turn on the washer for merely a few pieces, but in light of the current insanely-high expenses, every bit will add up. Try not to use the tumbler drier. Hanging the laundry indoors or outdoors, even if you have to wait a little more time, can save you a lot.
Watch out for any other appliances that are unused but are in stand-by mode. Together, they will make a number by the end of the year. If you use the dishwasher, make sure you stack it in full to use all its energy. Otherwise, doing the dishes by hand can still allow you to control your water temperature and spillage, and not to mention your time.
When it comes to food, plan your meals in advance, to save waste and stretch food further. Also, consider batch cooking. Not only does it reduce waste and food cost, but it can potentially lower the energy consumption, considering the amount of time lost with the heat on until the actual cooking of one dish starts, in comparison to cooking more than one together. Prepare shopping lists before entering shops to avoid purchasing products that aren’t essential.
Above all, try not to do a last-minute shop for food right before you need to cook it or consume it. Doing so may not allow you enough time to check for good prices. And it may be best not to shop when hungry, where you will always be tempted to overbuy.
It may be worthy to look out for sources that sell surplus food as well. Apps like OddBox and Too Good To Go allow you to pick the food you would like to buy in big quantities and check if any of the farms connected are about to throw it away, so that they sell it to you if it is not yet off. That is an eco-friendly way to help the environment around as well. And last but not least, clear your clutter at home and benefit from whatever money they may bring you. Selling out your old phone or PC or any other stuff that you no longer use, can help you in your expenses today.