Between inflation and higher prices on everything from gas to real estate, saving money is more important than ever!
But that doesn’t mean you need to run off and get another job to battle the big bills.
Related: Sort, Declutter, and Clean Your Home
There are plenty of ways to save some money in your everyday life. And although it might only be a few dollars here and there, every bit counts… and little by little, it all adds up!
So if you’re cringing at the pocket-draining prices like I am, read on to find some ways you can save money at home.
*post includes affiliate links
Keep the Cold Air Out
Drafts. They’re never welcome in your home, yet they always seem to find a way in!
And while feeling a breeze might be obnoxious, it can also be a culprit leading to high energy bills.
Think about it… when you set your thermostat to a comfortable temperature during winter, a draft lets out the warm air and causes cold air to enter your home.
Because of this, you’re forced to adjust your thermostat a couple of notches which definitely adds up over time.
One way to do this is with a simple door draft stopper. This one from Amazon slips right under your door. Plus, it’s adjustable to create the perfect fit.
Did you know drafts can also come in through your outlets? I was shocked to hear this too!
These “socket sealers” improve energy efficiency by providing a tight seal around your outlets. This prevents any air from coming inside your home!
They’re super easy to install and it’s a small investment that can save you a good amount of money.
Tend to Your Thermostat
While we’re on the topic of heating and cooling your home, I thought I’d give you some tips when it comes to your thermostat.
According to Energy Star, you can decrease your energy usage by 5-15% per year by lowering your thermostat by 10-15 degrees for eight hours per day.
You can do this while you’re out and about, or at night when some people prefer sleeping in a cooler environment.
And while this adjustment can be a money-saver, turning your thermostat off is NOT.
It takes your home a while to get to the temperature you set on your thermostat, and turning it off requires a total temp reset.
Finding an “ideal” temperature for your home really depends on your personal preferences. But most reports say that if you want to save energy, 68 degrees is optimal for winter and 78 degrees is best for summer.
Another thing you might want to look into is buying a programmable thermostat or “smart” thermostat similar to the Google Nest above.
They allow you to adjust the thermostat from your phone (helpful if you’re out of town!).
These thermostats also include settings like filters for daylight savings time, automatic adjustments, and timers that allow you to cool or warm your home depending on the time of the day.
Save Money in The Shower
There are some people that can do the quick, five-minute shower. But I like to take a little more time warming up and decompressing.
Unfortunately, the longer showers also mean a higher utility bill… well, sometimes.
If you’d like to save some money without putting in any effort, you can use a low-flow showerhead that will waste way less water.
Low-flow showerheads are easy to install and produce water flow that feels just like the ones from a regular-flow showerhead.
After all, it’s estimated that an average family uses about 40 gallons of water per day on showers alone… so why not make a simple swap to save some change?
Swap Your Bulbs
These days, there are plenty of bulbs on the market. So if you aren’t using ones that are Energy Star-rated, now’s the time to switch!
When something is Energy Star-certified, it means that the product meets strict energy-efficiency specifications—helping you save money on your household bills.
For example, the bulbs above are designed to consume 85% less energy than regular bulbs. They also deliver three levels of brightness so you can set some to be super dim and others to be super bright.
Another tip? Turn off your lights! Yes, it sounds simple, but all too often it’s something we forget to do.
Run Your Dishwasher
I saw a commercial about this not too long ago and I just had to look into it. As it turns out, it’s true!
Running your dishwasher can actually save more water than hand-washing your dishes.
According to a recent study, hand-washing a dish requires approximately 1/2 gallon. When you run the dishwasher, it typically uses about four gallons total.
Here’s another tip! Run your dishwasher right before you go to bed. Utility companies tend to charge more for energy used during “peak hours” so if you can run a load later in the day, you’ll likely see some savings!
Save on Home Entertainment
I’m a sucker for a good movie and I love sitting down with my family to watch our favorite shows. But when it comes to streaming, it isn’t always cost-effective.
Luckily, I’ve discovered a few ways to cut costs on home entertainment.
My first piece of advice is to ditch the cable. It’s something plenty of us still have because we’ve ALWAYS had it, but you can save over $100 a month by canceling your service.
Now, that doesn’t mean you have to go without your favorite shows and movies!
Instead, you can opt for streaming services like Hulu Live, YouTube TV, or SlingTV (among others) that allow you to watch live TV whenever you want.
You can also download free TV apps like Peacock, Tubi, Roku Channel, and more for $0 cost to you. And while you have to use a device/platform like the Fire Stick to stream these services, it can help you save BIG TIME at home.
Other Ways to Save Money at Home
There are SO many ways to cut costs in your home… I can’t cover them all! But if you’d like some ideas, you can find more ways to save below:
- Wash clothes in cold water since heating the water takes up about 90% of the energy it takes to operate a washing machine.
- Hang dry your clothes when possible.
- When possible, rely on ceiling fans instead of jacking up your air conditioning.
- Change your filters! When they get clogged with dirt, dust, and pet hair, your unit has to work harder. Improve efficiency by cleaning your filters and replacing them at end of life.
- Buy generic! Most of the time, you can find generic products with the EXACT same ingredients as their name-brand counterparts.
- Check with your cell phone provider to make sure you’re on a cost-effective plan. These change all the time so it’s good to stay up to date on what’s available.
- DIY when you can! You can always hire someone to complete jobs like caulking your shower or applying a backsplash. But oftentimes, you can do it yourself for a lot less money.
- Insulate your hot water pipes to save money.
I hope you can implement some of these tips to save money at home.
And since these measures are cost-effective and easy to implement, these simple swaps don’t have to be difficult!
From my home to yours,
Jill
