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I think it’s fair to say that many people are noticing an increase in the amount they’re spending on everyday items at the moment. I know every time I go to the supermarket I’m still surprised at just how much prices have and continue to, go up. It means that we need to be a bit savvier in our choices and look around for deals on things.
There are simple ways to cut down on costs and I’ve shared some things here that might help:
Financial Audit
It’s worth looking through your regular payments made via direct debit to see if these are still items that hold value for you, and if so whether there’s an option to renegotiate some of them. For example, TV and broadband packages are always worth renegotiating. Same too for mobile phones. If you’re out of contract then look to switch to a SIM only deal – this can often reduce your bill to a very small amount. Also, remember to check recurring payments that have been set up in PayPal if in apple/play store app purchases. Often you can have a few pounds going out to a number of different things and you don’t notice them, individually, but cumulatively, they soon add up.
Also, take a look at other bills that can be reduced. Our biggest issue at the moment is our energy bills which are skyrocketing. We have turned the water temperature of our boiler down which has halved our gas bill. It’s amazing how often the hot water is run for handwashing, baths and showers and it’s a significant saving that we have been able to make. We also need to look to reduce our electricity consumption more. We are already using the washing machine only on full loads and being very vigilant on lights being left on when not in use. All these little things together can lead to bigger savings.
Shop Savvy
Be more savvy in your food shopping. Meal planning is the best way I have found to keep food shopping costs down. This helps to cut down on waste. Also, freeze leftovers for another time and remember to run down the freezer! I try and run ours down every six-ish weeks as we end up with lots of leftovers frozen and this then means we have enough to create meals for a couple of days for the five of us.
Also, be prepared to switch from big brands. We rarely buy branded cereals, instead, opt for the supermarket’s own brand version. The same for sauces, tinned goods etc. There are some branded items that we don’t compromise on, but I try and buy these when they are on offer instead.
Look for Deals
For other items, it’s well worth looking out for any deals you cant find. UK hot Deals is a great website that seeks to find the best deals from UK retailers. It’s always worth a look there to see if there’s a deal to be had. There’s so much on there and I’ve spotted a couple of items to purchase for forthcoming birthdays. The website also has a competitions section with plenty of things to have a try at winning – the prizes range from sets of books, giftcards or even weekends away. There’s also a thriving Facebook Group where deals are posted.
TImes are certainly a little tricky at the moment, but a few little tweaks here and there can help to make your pounds go a little further.
Sensible thought’s