With the global financial crisis and slowdown showing no sign of ending at the moment it’s more important than ever to stay in control of finances and cut some costs around the house. Here are some ideas that might help you when it comes to saving money.

* Create a household budget – Work out how much money is coming in and how much is going out and then work out where you can cut back each month.

* Cancel your cable TV – Are you getting good value from your pay TV contract or could you manage with free to air TV? Over a year cable TV charges can really add up and you will soon get used to not having it. You might even be able to keep many channels for free or for a very low fee when combined with a phone line for example.

* Switch utility providers – Are you getting the best deal on your gas, electric, phone, broadband and cell phone? Shop around and you may be able to save hundreds of dollars each year by moving to the best offer.

* Go eco – Get more environmentally friendly and save money by switching to low energy light bulbs and fitting water saving shower heads to save water. Make sure you switch lights off when you’re not in the room and turn off electrical items such as the TV fully rather than leaving them on standby which drains power. If you don’t have any then you should consider insulation for your house to keep it cool in summer and warm in winter which will reduce your air-con or heating bills.

* Leave the car at home – For short journeys why not get some fresh air and exercise by walking and cycling. If you just going to the local shops do you really need to get in the car?

* Sell your junk – Have a big clear out of your house and sell all those items cluttering up your cupboards and storage space. More valuable items can sell well on Ebay while less valuable items may be better suited to a garage sale.

* Take your own lunch to work and make your own coffee – Buying a coffee on the way into work or grabbing something quick at lunch while working may not seem like a big cost but it adds up over time. If you spend each workday on a coffee and on lunch it would add up to over ,000 per year. Taking your own food and drink would cost only a fraction.

There are obviously lots of other ways to save money but these will get you started. On their own each thing may not sound like much but the thing to remember is that together they all add up. By making some easy changes you can save thousands of dollars per year.

Richard Greenwood writes on a wide range of financial topics including saving money tips for; http://www.high-interest-saving-account.com.au

Article Source: Saving Money At Home – ArticleSpan.com

  • Share/Bookmark

Filed under: Money Saving Tips

Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!

Possibly related posts