General Expenditure Savings

Have a Night In

The next time you go to the shops, have a look at the price of alcohol and compare it to the price of the equivalent in a pub / club. Going out once or twice a week soon equates to a significant figure, why not get the friends round and have the drinks there. Everyone will bring their own drinks, everyone could put in for food. You can have a great time for probably a lower cost than the taxi to the club.

If you want to buy your drinks from Asda / Tesco etc, include them in your online shop so that you do not have to pay for delivery. Alternatively Aldi tends to have some good deals on alcohol. Many of us tend to physically go to the store still, even though the cost of fuel to get there often costs more than the delivery cost.

Spend on Cards Rather than Cash

This will only work if you have some degree of self-control. This does not have to be credit cards, although often you can get cash back through using them. Having cash in your wallet / purse gives you the option to spend it. If you have change you are more likely to spend it on unnecessary things. How often have you got a chocolate bar or drink from a vending machine, that you can often get in a multipack for the same cost. Psychologically, if you only have the card as a means of paying, you are much less likely to buy snacks. Buying coffees on a commute to work is another obvious saving. The cost of one beverage would buy you an adequate flask; the savings at £2-£3 per coffee can be astounding.

Savings In The Home

Standby 

Most electrical appliances have a standby mode. It still uses power, however minimal it may be. Whilst you sleep for 8-10 hours they are continuing to cost you money. All it needs is a push of a button to turn them back on when you need them. At a time where utility bills are incredibly expensive, why inflate them further. Televisions are one of the main appliances left on standby thoughout the day.

The Comfortable Temperature

Whilst my girlfriend would swear this is incorrect, the comfortable body temperature is 19 degrees. The heating does not have to be set at 25. It is said that every single degree lower on your central heating could save you £60 a year. I assume that is based on someone having it on all of the time as that seems too much. Either way, there are significant savings to be had.

Laptops - The Ever Lasting Battery

Laptops are an incredible invention, totally portable in their nature. Then why are they always plugged in? How many of of us actually turn the laptop off? Most of us simply shut the lid and leave it in hibernation mode, usually on charge. Not only is this bad for the battery, it is also bad for your electric bill. 

One way to check the costs of your appliances would be to buy an energy monitor, which are usually sold through your energy supplier or through

amazon.co.uk and ebay.co.uk. Another great tip is to use websites such as kelkoo.co.uk which is a price comparison website. This should be considered for all major purchases.

 

How to Save Money On Food

Don't Let Your Food Go to Waste

This applies to food going out of date due to a lack of organisation, as well as extras such as potato peels. Food going out of date is a terrible waste, especially as often the food is still edible for some time after the best before date. 

Organise your cupboards and fridge to have the items that will go bad towards the front, in full view. Byproducts such as Potato peels can be made in to crisps as a tasty snack. The next time you are going to throw parts of food away, have a look online what can be made from them first. 

Food shopping takes up a large percentage of take home pay, don't make the next shop happen earlier by wasting food.

Consider Where You Shop

 

The cost of food at high end supermarkets are going to be more expensive than the smaller chains, but consider the local market stalls. The cost savings of going to market stores can be fairly substantial, although it is likely that you will not get all of the shopping that you need in one place. The quality is often higher and it is cheaper, it is a no brainer really.



Please leave a comment explaining ways that you ensure that you get the maximum use out of your food, preferably giving recipes.