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Saving money has never been so important. The grips of the cost of living crisis have squeezed disposable incomes and households are set for a tough financial winter. Those that are strategic and forward-thinking are looking for ways to cut back and save money in lots of different places – but this isn’t always an easy task.
One way to see where you can save more is to identify where you are wasting resources such as money, energy or food. Wastage in these areas is often luxury or unnecessary spending and these areas should be your first focus if you’re looking to cut costs. Below we explore 5 simple ways to save more by wasting less.
Perfect the craft of making meals with leftovers
Food waste is almost criminal and it’s literally money in the bin. One way to save more money is to make the most of your weekly food shops and leftovers that are sitting in your cupboard or fridge. If you can squeeze one more meal out of a food shop rather than buying more or throwing leftovers away then it’s money back in your pocket. Granted, the meal might be not the best thing you’ve ever eaten – but you can hone your skills and learn to create great meals with a few leftover ingredients.
Use food waste to create compost and fertilise your garden
Sometimes food has to be thrown away and that’s understandable. But you can do more with some of it than throwing it in the bin – why not create a compost heap? This is a great way to reduce waste and provide nutrient-rich compost or fertilizer for your garden. A self-sustaining garden is great for the environment, particularly if you can grow your own fruit and veg – saving you money on your weekly shopping and reducing your carbon footprint at the same time. Homegrown produce is also tastier!
Optimise your energy usage
It’s common for households to waste energy without even realising it. Leaving the lights on, not turning appliances off at the wall and taking excessively long showers can all dramatically increase your energy usage and cost you significantly more in bills. Identify energy wastage in your household and focus on optimising your usage – this will help to save on your energy bills and help the planet!
Buy second-hand where you can
Buying new things is nice and all, but you can often buy the same products in great condition second-hand. This could be clothes, technology, furniture and much more. Not only do you help to reduce demand for new products and reduce waste or items going to landfill, you can save a lot of money compared to buying items brand new. Various online platforms are championing preloved and preowned items right now, so consider these when you’re next considering a purchase.
Reuse and upcycle
There are many items in the home that can be reused and upcycled but people all too often ignore this potential. Simple things like wrapping paper or gift bags can be reused for birthdays or celebrations, saving you money on buying more material and reducing the amount going to landfill. Other items like furniture can be easily repurposed, saving a trip to the tip and the cost of a new piece. Could your old chest of drawers be used to organise your home office or upcycled into a shoe rack? It’s crazy what some imagination and a coat of paint can do. Think carefully before throwing anything out because you might be missing some amazing potential and cost savings!