This story is part Tips for the houseCNET’s collection of handy tips for getting the most out of your home, inside and out.
With a possibility of recession on the horizonit’s always a good idea to keep an eye on your spending habits. Inflation is high, utility bills are skyrocketing and gas prices are on a roller coaster, but small changes you make at home can make a big difference in your monthly costs. Whether replacing hot water with cold water in your laundry cycle Where turn off the lights when not in use, we have over two dozen tips to help you ease the pressure of inflation.
Here are 27 ways to start cutting your home costs right now. (You can also check whether or not it is cheaper to buy groceries online than in storeand whether meal kits are more cost effective than buying individual ingredients.)
Save money in the kitchen
Grow herbs: A packet of herbs costs three or four dollars. Keeping a small herb garden on your windowsill will cost about the same upfront, but can produce herbs for months. If you’re looking to get started, read more on the five easy steps to growing fresh herbs at home.
Do not buy bottled water: Bottled water seems cheap, but it quickly becomes expensive. Settle for a water filter pitcher so you can use tap water. It’s cheaper over time and it’s also better for the environment. There are many options on the market today, but you can read more about our favorites here.
Make your own coffee: It seems obvious, but those daily American coffees can easily take some of your bank account (trust me, I know). Use a cafeteria Where french press to get that caffeine fix instead. here’s how make iced coffee, dalgona coffee and Imitation of Starbucks favorites. You can also make your own cold brew coffee or homemade Espresso.
Put nearly spoiled fruits and vegetables in the freezer: Shopping for fresh produce and then opting for tastier frozen meals while bananas and spinach spoiled was a weekly ritual in our house. Then we started throwing them in the freezer to use for smoothies. This has reduced our weekly waste. Here are some more tips for keep food in the fridge fresh longer.
Keep your freezer full: Speaking of freezerswhen you keep your freezer full, it runs more efficiently, using less energy to keep the contents cold.
Also keep your dishwasher full: Running half loads of dishes is a quick way to waste water and dish detergent.
Break out that dutch oven: It might be a dutch oven or one slow cooker of all kinds, but cooking in bulk really helps reduce the costs associated with more individual meals.
This meal consisted only of leftover vegetables and yogurt that had to be used.
David Priest/CNET
Eat leftovers: It’s not so much a tip as a choice. Save your leftovers and don’t give yourself an excuse not to eat them. This will stretch your dollar much further. Plus, we have tips for best way to reheat your leftovers to get the most out of your uneaten food.
Be selective about organic foods: Organic food can be expensive, and ethically grown meat is even more expensive. So for the most problematic produce, buy organic to avoid pesticides and hormones, and get standard fare for the rest of your grocery list.
For more tips on reducing grocery costs, see
Save money in the laundry room
Air dry your clothes: Save energy by air-drying laundry. (No one will notice your crumpled shirt.)
Wash in cold water: Another way to reduce costs is wash in cold water. Unless you have major stains or odors that you’re trying to get rid of, most clothes can be washed cold without a problem.
Run full loads of laundry: Pack your washing machine to capacity, as you will be using the same amount of water in both directions. Might as well make the most of it.
Check your mechanical cabinet
Lower the temperature of the water heater: Check the temperature on your water heater (if you can get to it). You generally don’t need it to be above 120 degrees Fahrenheit (48.8 degrees Celsius), and higher temperatures incur higher fees.
Change filters: It’s not just the inefficiency of your water heater that’s costing you money; your HVAC system can put a dent in your wallet if you haven’t changed its filter recently, then learn when to exchange a new filter.
Here are 23 ways to save on your electric bills right now
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Save by paying your bills
Change credit card: If you spend a lot of money at Whole Foods or while traveling, consider credit card who will offer the best rewards for your current spending habits.
Use a budgeting app: One of the hardest parts of budgeting is simply being aware of our spending habits. Using a budgeting app As mint is a great way to see exactly how your impulse buys are actually shaping your monthly budget.
Use coupons: Coupons are basically like cash. If you buy items online, a 30-second coupon search will often save you 10% or more. Check out these 21 budget browser extensions and apps.
Pay your bills online: There are few things I hate more than late bill charges. Setting up automatic payment on your electricity and water bills will help you avoid these unnecessary charges, and also save you from postage on paper bills.
Unsubscribe from services: While you’re thinking about bills, check your subscriptions. If you haven’t used a certain streaming service or fitness app in a month or more, cancel it. You can always restart it in a few minutes if you change your mind.
Save on entertainment
Use the library’s online resources: If you have a library card, your public library probably offers plenty of free online services, such as ebooks or even streaming services. Give them a chance.
Discover Project Gutenberg: Project Gutenberg is a great online resource for eBooks, offering over 60,000 titles. You can read more about it and other ways to download and read books for free.
Go outside: Not to look like a 90s dad, but get out there! It’s a free way to change the day, get some exercise, and remember that your room isn’t the whole world. Here are some ideas for fun games to play outside and organize a movie night in the garden.
I made a garden in my backyard with some old planks I found in the shed, $20 wire mesh, and a few handfuls of seeds.
David Priest/CNET
Start a garden: While you’re out, think about start a garden to grow yours vegetables and herbs. If you have a backyard, you can avoid many of the upfront costs of a raised bed and just get seeds to plant in the ground. You can get plenty of seeds for less than $20, which will translate to well over $20 worth of food over the next few months.
Build a compost trash can: OK, this one is a longer-term investment, but building a garden can be tricky and expensive if you’re starting from scratch. If you start throwing your food scraps into a compost bin now, you won’t have to buy tons of expensive fertilizer or soil for your garden next year. In addition, composting is another great way to help the environment. Here is a beginner’s guide to compostingand how to start a vermicomposter for an excellent fertilizer.
3 miscellaneous tips to cut costs
Dress according to the temperature: If you work from home, this means that the “office thermostat” setting now directly affects your monthly bills. So adjust it less and dress comfortably for the temperature. After all, no one is there to judge you for wearing sweatshirts.
Reverse fan direction: More ceiling fans have a little switch on them that changes the direction they turn. In the summer, rotate the fan counter-clockwise to blow air over you. This can help avoid the need for more air conditioning.
Use energy efficient bulbs: LED bulb costs more to buy, but in the long run, they have reduced electricity costs. When the bulbs burn out in your home, make the switch.