The coronavirus pandemic has affected us all in different ways, and lost income is one common struggle many of us are dealing with. On the “bright side”, quarantine meant more ways to save money as well. Whether it was from cutting down gas consumption while working or studying from home, or because outdoor outings have been significantly reduced. However, as the new year is at bay and some of us head back to work, knowing how to save money will continue to be important. Here’s 5 great ways to help you do that!
Use a Budgeting App to Save Money
One of the hardest parts of budgeting is just developing awareness of our spending habits. Using a budgeting app is a great way to see exactly how your impulse buys really do shape your monthly budget. Apps like Mint, PocketGuard or Wally are all good options to save money.
Dress For the Temperature
One of the advantages of working from home is that you don’t have to adhere to a strict dress code. Usually, you can work from the comfort of your sweats! But, we have to be more mindful that when we adjust the thermostat now, the bill reaches us and not the office. So adjust it less and dress comfortably for the temperature. After all, no one’s around to judge you for working in your pyjamas or your favourite hoodie!
Use Energy-Efficient Appliances
LED bulbs initially cost more to buy, but in the long term, they cut down on electricity costs. Take the opportunity and make the switch to higher efficiency bulbs to save money. Using an adjustable thermostat can also help by reducing the amount of energy you use to heat or cool your home during the day when you’re not there. Lastly, you can wait as long as possible to turn on your air conditioning for the summer or try your best to keep it to a minimum.
Utilize Your Freezer More
Bananas, lemons and ginger are just a few of the perishables that can last far longer in the freezer. Their taste isn’t hampered by the temperature, either. You can use frozen bananas in a plethora of sweet delicacies and can add frozen lemon to water (just thinking about it feels refreshing). Frozen ginger is even easier to grate than fresh ginger. Another option is to freeze herbs in ice cubes. You can also think about buying in bulk and saving some money by freezing food to make it last longer. Not only do you save per unit, but you also have food to last much longer. So, the next time you’re about to throw out your overripe bananas, throw them in the freezer instead!
Make Your Own Coffee
It seems obvious, but those daily coffee runs can easily take a chunk out of your bank account. Instead, try out a French Press which isn’t that expensive and is also cheaper than most coffee makers.
Bonus Tip: Use what you already have.
Sometimes, saving money is as easy as taking advantage of the items you already have around the house. It’s a good idea to transform them for a new purpose or simply recognize the many uses of a single product. Instead of ordering groceries whenever you fridge or pantry is low on stock, utilize websites like ‘MyFridgeFood’ where you enter the products you have left and they give you a list of potential dishes you can make out of it!