When people look for ways to save money, they often focus on the big gestures like selling their cars and biking to work or moving back in with their parents.
There are less drastic ways to save regularly.
Over the long-term, saving a small amount of money each month can equate to a large pot of savings.
Here are some easy ways to save money that can trim the budget substantially over time:
Control the Climate for Savings
Turning down the home thermostat during winter and turning it up during summer can save money on heating and cooling costs. Experts recommend keeping the temperature at 20 degrees Celsius during the winter when at home and 12.8 to 15.6 degrees when sleeping or away from the house.
If the home is empty during the day and occupants sleep eight hours each night, this 16 hours of reduced energy use translates into money savings.
Some people falsely believe that warming up the home eliminates savings from turning down the heat. When heat is turned down, the system does not run as hard to maintain the differential between outdoor and indoor temperatures.
This saves more than enough energy to reheat the home and the longer the thermostat remains down, the greater the savings.
Change Purchasing Habits
Most people do not purchase clothing regularly so this expense can be difficult to track. That does not reduce the importance of saving money on clothing. Bypass the brands and purchase only clothing that will be worn regularly. Bargains can be found at the end of each season and discount web sites and outlet stores offer additional savings.
When buying other items such as paper goods, soap, shampoo, laundry detergent, and cleaning supplies, purchase in bulk. These items have long or indefinite shelf lives and will eventually be used. Buying in bulk can equate to a savings of between five and ten percent. Bulk purchasing also means fewer trips to the store reducing vehicle fuel and maintenance expenses.
Coffee and Biking
Many people look forward to a morning cup of coffee and they can save money by brewing it at home or work rather than purchasing it from a coffee shop. A new coffee maker will quickly pay for itself and savings will then accrue. While enjoying that cup of coffee, think about riding a bike rather than driving to do local errands. This is saves city dwellers substantial money while contributing to a healthy lifestyle.
