It is no secret that the cost of living has risen sharply in the last 12 months. There are a myriad of reasons why we are in this current situation, including the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic along with other global factors. 

Whatever the reasons, households across the world are feeling the pinch. Goods and services have become more expensive and many households are struggling to budget. The good news is that there are several ways in which households can strategize to save money and reduce costs. Below is a list of the ways to save in 2023.

Be Strategic with Energy

With more people working at home in 2023, and with energy prices soaring, it is more important than ever to be vigilant about the energy that you use. Invest time in researching ways to save money on your energy bills.

Methods for doing so can include turning down your thermostat by one degree, turning off lights and using natural light whenever possible, and ensuring that all electrical items are switched off rather than on standby.

Instead of using central heating, a good idea is to layer your clothing to keep yourself warm. Before you go tweaking the thermostat, or switching on the central heating, try putting on a sweater or coat.

The kitchen is a key area where energy can be wasted so be particularly attentive to the ways in which you can conserve energy while cooking and cleaning. A good example of this is to ensure that your washing machine and dishwasher are completely full before beginning a washing cycle. Another is to be conservative about the amount of water you boil in a kettle or use in a pan. Only use exactly the amount of water that you need. When cooking, it is a good idea to cover pans so that heat doesn’t escape. 

Simple is often best when it comes to ways of conserving energy in your household, and keeping those energy bills down. By ensuring that you are always incorporating methods of saving energy, you will find that your household bills will eventually go down.

Create a Comprehensive Monthly Budgeting Plan

Budgeting your monthly income effectively is vital to saving money for your household. If you have a rigorous, but flexible budgeting plan in place, you will find that less money seeps through the cracks during the month. 

Consider ratios as you do this. How much of your income is going towards your needs, how much money are you saving and putting towards debt payment, and how much money are you spending on leisure time (eating out etc). 

Once you have a good understanding of this, it will be easier to find areas in which you can save. Can you cut out the weekly takeaway and instead plan a meal at home? Can you replace certain household items with their cheaper, off-brand equivalents? 

Having a plan will also help reduce spendings on payday. Many households and individuals end up spending much of their monthly wages in the days after getting paid. This can lead to an unhealthy, and unmanageable household budget. Use a plan to curb payday spending.

Consider Travel Costs

Whether you work in an office or at home, travel costs can really eat into your monthly budget. Consider ways that you can cut your monthly traveling budget. 

For example, if you use a car to travel to work, or simply to travel all together, you might find that you are spending too much on fuel and insurance. Research ways to save in this way, whether that is through buying cheaper fuel or finding a cheaper insurance provider. 

Perhaps you don’t need to use a car at all for certain journeys. Public transport can often be a cheaper way of getting around. You might even invest in using a bike for your journey into work. Being smart with travel can be an effective way to save.

.