Prices keep going up. Maintaining a basic quality of life is becoming more and more expensive. And that makes it necessary to stretch salaries and pensions to the maximum. That's why, We often wonder how to save money at home in order to have a small mattress.
If right now you feel overwhelmed by everything you have to pay, what you have to buy... know that you are not alone. And that's why we want to help you with some ideas and tricks that, even if they are minimal, can save you a little. And with many, great savings. Shall we start?
Check the expenses
The first thing you should do when you see things are not going well is review your expenses. Sure there are things you can do without for a while (it doesn't have to be permanent) to alleviate a little the expenses that you have monthly.
For instance, If you don't use your mobile phone too much, you can look for a cheaper rate for a while. If you have streaming platforms, one way to save is to dedicate every month or every two or three months to paying for just one, watch everything you want, and after that time you switch to another.
They are small gestures that allow you to save a lot on expenses. It is not the same to have 1200 euros of expenses and a salary of 1300, than to have 800 of expenses and the same salary. Especially since you will be able to save something for later any unforeseen event or simply to treat yourself.
Check the lighting
While buying LED lights is expensive, it can save you significant money. Also, if you don't want to spend too much light, You can always take advantage of the walls and ceiling and paint them in very light colors to gain more light.
By having light, you will have fewer hours on the lights.
Check the supermarket offers
Another of the tricks to save money at home is the following. If you have the possibility of going to several supermarkets near where you live, you should review the catalogs they have. First make a list of everything you need to buy. What you really need.
Now check the catalogs to see if there's anything on sale. If so, write down where to buy it and do the same with everyone else.
Yes, Also take into account if you are going to have to go by car, the distance and gasoline, because it can happen that what you save in the store is what you have to spend more on gasoline.
Bet on cold water
We know that it is not easy to wash with cold water, much less shower with it in winter, when it is quite cold. But you can take advantage of it in summer. In case you don't know, Hot water alone is a quarter of a home's energy consumption.
Try to recycle everything you can
Let's go to extremes. Imagine that you are going to move into an apartment and that you have to buy glasses. But you have several glass jars that are going to go straight to the trash. Why not use them as glasses?
As we tell you, it is think about giving a second or third life to those things that break or that no longer have the use for which they were conceived. For example, the zipper of the jeans, or the jeans themselves can be perfect to make a bag.
It is about trying to save by not buying things that, at home, you could replace. Yes, it is true that they are going to look uglier and that they will not be new. But if the use is going to be the same, it is worth it.
Build your own garden
Another of the tips to save money at home is to have your own garden. And the truth is, you don't need much. Sometimes it is thought that for this you must have land or a terrace, but you could even have it on the balcony, or in a window.
It is not about planting vegetables, vegetables and everything you can think of, but little things that you know you like, that you buy a lot, and thus save.
For instance, On a balcony, with enough light, you could put pots with tomatoes, carrots, lettuce, peppers...
If you have a little more space, you could try some fruit trees (even in a pot) and have lemons, oranges, apples...
Of course, they do not give the whole year (at least not all) but you will save the time they give you harvest.
Sell ​​what you don't use
Human beings are cumulative. We like to buy many things, but then, after a while, we forget about it, we put it in the closet and we no longer remember anything. But maybe you can have a good pinch with those articles.
Try tidying up your house and taking out two piles: one with what you really use and want; and another with the things that, yes, you like, but you are not going to use more than once or twice.
You can always sell those things in thrift stores and get a little money. It will not be the same as what you paid for them, but at least you will get something more and you could use that money to save it.
In fact, you could also buy second hand. Sometimes there are great bargains that allow you to save a lot compared to the new and It does not always mean that you are going to have something of worse quality.
If it's hot, cool off; if it's cold, wrap up
What do you do when you're cold? If you are one of those who turn up the heating, and you go around the house in your underwear, know that you are wasting money. Instead of doing that, you should keep the heating at the right temperature and keep warm by putting on more clothing.
And when it's hot? Drinking cold liquids can help you to relieve your body temperature, as well as taking a shower or refreshing the environment where you are without having to put on the air conditioning.
Reserve both heating and air conditioning for specific moments. That way your electricity bill won't go up too much.
Economize
For example, when putting the washing machine. Instead of putting it twice on a half load, pile up your laundry and put it full once a week. Same with the dishwasher.
All these gestures can save you more than 100 euros a year. And even if you think that it is little, keep in mind that you are trying to save and even if it were a euro, it will already be worth it.
As you see, there are many ways to save money at homeCan you give us some more tips?