Saving money on heating

January 3, 2009 | Leave a Comment

Heating bills are a huge source of anxiety for many in the current financial climate amidst rising fuel costs adding to the pressure.

Here are some tips to help get those heating bills under control:

• Only heat the parts of the house that you are using. Keep the central heating to key times of the day when everyone is around then use radient heaters in the the rooms that you are using dring the day. This will make significant savings on heating.
• Ceiling fans can be useful in winter as they will blow back down the warm air from your heating as it rises. Obviously they need to be set to run very slow otherwise they will make an unwelcome cold breeze.
• Ensure that your home is well insulated and draught proofed to avoid heating the birds in the trees outside instead of yourselves. Lagging in the roof space, cladding, secondary glazing or plastic sheets at the windows etc can all help to reduce heating costs.
• Check that you have the most efficient heating system possible. If changing your system is not viable, the above tips should help.

Saving money on electricity (Part 3)

December 27, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Here are some final ideas for saving money on electricity. Please feel free to post other ideas for saving on electricity to share with other readers.

• If your electricity bills seem excessively high, an energy audit may be in order to check if there is some form of leakage or theft of electricity from you.
• A programmable thermostat plus thermal linings to shoes and slippers will both reduce the temptation to nudge the heating up and this will save electricity.
• Shutting down the water heater at night may not help to reduce electricity used as you have to heat the water you use whenever you use it. A good insulating jacket / tying old duvets to your water tank may me a more helpful way to save on electricity by keeping the heat in the water for longer.

Saving money on electricity (Part 2)

December 24, 2008 | Leave a Comment

As energy costs continue to rise, finding ways to save money on electricity can help to release funds for the more fun things in life.

Here are a few tips for saving money on electricity:

• Using small kitchen appliances such as microwaves, slow cookers and toaster etc can use up to 75%  less electricity than turning on the large electric oven will.
• Using lids on pans will save cooking time resulting in saving money on electricity. Likewise, using the small hob on your cooker rather than the large one for small pans will save electricity too.
• Turning off all appliances when they are not in use will save electicity…televisions, dvd players, computers etc all draw small amounts of electricity just to operate that little light that tells you it is plugged in. Every little helps when saving money on electricity.
• Replacing old incandescent bulbs with new energy saving light bulbs can save up to 25% of your lighting costs for those rooms.
• Turning your thermostat for the furnace down to 68 or lower will save money on electricity.
• When you have finished baking, prop open the oven door to allow the remaining heat from the oven to warm the room (only do this if there are no young ones in the house).
• If using a tumble dryer, dry one load after another to avoid the machine needing to re-heat. This will save some electricity.
• On the same principle, if your hot water tank allows it, take showers one after the other in the household to avoid wasting as much warm water sitting in the pipes after a shower finishes.

 Remember…..little amounts do matter….50 cents per day saving amounts to $15 per month and $180 per year…so it’s worth doing!

Saving money on electricity (Part 1)

December 20, 2008 | Leave a Comment

With rising utility bills and generally tighter budgets for many, it is important to consider how to cut back on the quantities of fuel that we use - especially when securing cheaper prices as a way to save money on electricity is becoming harder to do.

How can I save money on electricity?

Over the coming days, Credit Crunch Helpdesk is going to examine some ways of saving money on electricity that may work for you. Give them a try….its the only way to find out what will work for your home…

• One of the most common ways of wasting electricity in most homes is the failure to turn off lights when they are not in use. Turning off unused lights may seem obvious - but, just reflect how many times you walk back into a room after dark to find a light on and nobody using the room. This can be a particular issue with young children leaving lights on everywhere they go. Encouraging new habits will save a lot of money on electricity. The only exception to this would be some light bulbs that have been designed to be more efficient when left on in spaces where people are coming and going a lot. Check your manufacturer’s instructions for details on this.
• If you are in the habit of leaving an external light switched on for when you return home, changing this light fitting to a movement sensor will save money on electricity as the bulb will only be switched on when needed.
• If using electricity for heating a room, ensuring windows are well covered and draught proofed in winter will help to prevent the cold coming into a room off the glass. This will mean that you save money on electricity by not having your heaters on so high / so long. This technique will also save for other forms of heating as well.
• If your hot water is heated by electricity in an immersion tank, heating water on a timer saves money on electricity in comparison to leaving the water heater on all the time. A morning and evening slot for water heating will normally suffice day to day needs and a well insulated tank should hold the heat in the water for several hours.
• It is worth contacting your electricity carrier and checking prices for electricity consumption during off-peak hours. There are lots of things you can plan to do at these time such as charging batteries, using the tumbler dryer or washing machine etc. Every little action helps to save money on electrcity.
• On a similar theme, you can  save a lot of money by hanging your clothes out to dry instead of using the tumble dryer to completely dry them. Just 10 minutes on a timer in the dryer once they are dried through will be enough to soften most items and get superficial creases out.         

Santa to blame for the credit crunch?

December 12, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Netmums.com surveyed 1,000 parents this year and found that around 40% are saying that Santa has had to tighten his belt too this year. Around 5% were planning to have a frank conversation with their kids and shattering the myth of Santa so that their kids don’t build false expectations.

However, nearly half of respondants claimed they would do whatever it took to ensure that their children still has a good Christmas and would deal with the consequences later. It is precisely this attitude that has caused hundreds of thousands of people to ratchet up inappropriate levels of debt in order to live out some form of ideal of being able to instantly buy the things they and their family want perceiving is as a need. “I need to get my child present X or Y (or even X and Y) for Christmas” is the refrain whilst putting the cost onto the plastic and facing the mounting debts later. Dare I suggest that the most valuable gift that we can give out children this Christmas is love, quality time and humble gifts teaching them the true value of the season as well as the importance of being financially responsible?

Saving money on fashion (Part 4)

November 21, 2008 | Leave a Comment

When saving money on fashion, there are lots of small tricks that can make significant savings but still leave you looking a million dollars.

Use luxury fabrics to create a top dollar look

Using those luxury fabrics like chiffon, satin, silk, cashmere etc can make an outfit look as if it was expensive. Buy these items from discount stores and you will save a fortune whilst looking great.

Find those unusual items cheaply abroad

Whilst on holiday you can pick up some amazing bargains in markets that have a unique style that you won’t find anyone else wearing where you live. Use these to emphasise your individual style. Fabrics and silks, leather shoes, bags and belts etc can all provide stunning and unique outfits to wear back home and remind you of your travels.

Ebay…the home of the great fashion bargain

Ebay  is a great resource for those of us who do not travel much….fashions and accessories from all around the world are up for grabs from the comfort of your own computer. There are serious bargains to be had…including designer items. If ordering from abroad, be aware that some items may need duty paying on them …so check that out with the seller first.

Supermarkets have some great fashion items too

Mix and match your wardrobe with items picked up at the supermarket whilst doing your food shopping. There are some amazing up to the minute items that will save money of fashion too.

Yard sales / Car Boot Sales / Charity Shops

If you want to pick up bargain designer items, car boot sales, yard sales and charity shops in the more affluent parts of town can be a real goldmine. Even if they are not quite the look you were after, consider whether they could be re-modelled into a new item of clothing.

Saving money on fashion (Part 3)

November 16, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Fashion is one of those luxuries in life when the cash flow is tight….you don’t actually need it…but it sure makes you feel a lot better knowing you look good! Today we consider how to save money on fashion through researching and choosing carefully selected items.

Try to shop only when you really need something

If you consider yourself to need a specific item, plan the shops that you will visit that are most likely to stock it. When you get there go directly to the specific section of the store you need. 

Resisting traipsing around other departments and stores will reduce the likelihood of not saving on fashion by making impulse buys.

Trying to buy staple fashion items on special offer will save money on fashion

We all need those items like underwear, tights, rollneck tops, leggings etc that tend to wear out quicker than other items in the wardrobe. By cultivating a habit of making use of 3 for 2 offers of buy one get one free (BOGOF) deals, a lot of money can be saved on fashion items that are essential and disposable leaving spare cash for the fashion items that bring you joy.

Save money on fashion by buying items at discount that have long term fashion appeal

We’ve all done it….been seduced by the sale rail and bought an item that turns out not to suit us as well as we thought …or even does not fit right (because we loved it but our size wasn’t left in the sale). These are the main behaviours that waste a lot of money on fashion.
Top tips:

• Arrive at sales early so that you can get the pick of the best items.
• Have a clear idea in your mind about which items you need in your wardrobe and try to resist looking at other items (you’ll only need to get the needed items in addition to them).
• Don’t but something just because it’s a bargain….will it still be cool to wear next season or does it have a limited fashion lifespan?

Save money on fashion items that will hold their value

If you need an expensive item like a coat, boots or a handbag, it is always best to buy something stylish but with a long fashion lifespan rather than something quirky that will be out of date next seaon. In this way your purchase will hold its calue and appeal and you will get better value from it.

Use fashion accessories to bring your image up to date and save money

In this way you will save money on fashion by not needing to discard such large and expensive items when that look has gone out of fashion. A few accessories can bring your wardrobe staples up to date without spending a fortune.

Saving money on fashion (Part 2)

November 12, 2008 | Leave a Comment

In addition to keeping the neutral essentials of your wardrobe (smart jacket, cardigan, jeans, tailored trousers, little black dress etc) in neutral colours, there are ways to save money on fashion  whilst getting an up to the minute individual look.

Discounted catwalk looks at the mall.

All the main shops at the mall take their styles and derive them from that season’s best catwalk looks. High fashion items, therefore, do not always need to be with a high price designer price tag. Look around at the mall for high quality seasonal looks to bring your wardrobe up to the minute at budget prices.

Charity shops can save money on fashion

Whilst charity shops generally deal in second hand clothes, many also bring in discount labelled stock that are sold much more cheaply  than at the mall. Add to that vintage looks or items that can be adapted (with your sewing machine) and you will soon create a unique statement of the current fashions and the confidence that you will never be in the same clothes as anyone else at an event.

Where possible use cash instead of credit cards to save on fashion

Credit card  payments cost huge amounts of money by the time you have paid them off. Also, in times of impending recession, the last thing anyone needs is to increase their debts  when job security is uncertain. Many banks are also suddenly reducing peoples’ credit limits….so make sure you can deal with that my not racking up debt.
Payment by cash is a great way to really appreciate what you are spending on an item and to reflect on whether it really is the bargain you thought it was.

Set a monthly clothes budget

That fashion item to cheer us up on an off day (and, lets face it, with the credit crunch and recession a lot of us are having bad days!) can make a real hole in the month’s budget. Despite this, clothes do wear out or get shabby so its not realistic to cut right back on the family clothes budget.
When people enter an Independant Voluntary Financial Arrangement with creditors or, worse still, go bankrupt, the type of budget that is ofetn set for all clothes and shoes is $50 per month per adult and £25 dollars per child. It is possible to be clothed and shod on that budget from discount stores…but not easy. This will help to focus the mind if you feel that your debt levels are too high and you are considering spending a lot of money on a clothing item. Better to save money on fashion now by setting a clothes budget than to face these restrictions if made bankrupt.

Saving Money on Fashion (Part 1)

November 10, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Out with the old and in with the new..saving money on fashion exchanges

Many of us have items in the wardrobe that we never wear yet fancy some item from this year’s trends instead. If you can’t afford to spend money on fashion, dig out those unwanted items and, with the better quality items, log on to either www.ebay.com or www.whatsmineisyours.com. By either selling your unwanted items of exchanging them you can save money on fashion and clear out unwanted clutter.

Get creative to save money on fashion

Making your own clothes is not as hard as it might seem. Sewing machines start at around $40 for a very basic but adequate model. This will give you the chance to accessorise your existing clothes so as to bring them up to date, re-work them into new garments (or clothes for the kids) or even make new items from scratch. It’s worth a try as many sewing pattern cmpanies provide patterns with detailed instructions for complete beginners. It’s a new skill for you repertoire and a very satisfying way to save money on fashion too!

Designer clothes on a budget

Visiting designer outlets can be a great way to save a lot of money if you really must have designer brands. Often you need to set aside a good chunk of time to hunt through the clothes so that you can pick up the best bargains that will suit you….but it could be worth it for a 50% plus saving on fashion.

Avoid hidden costs like dry cleaning

Dry cleaning can really bump up the cost of maintaining a fashion item. make sure you check the labels and avoid items that will be costly to clean so that you save money on your fashion items…..particularly if it is for kids as they will need their clothes cleaning more often than adults might.

Discount vouchers can save a lot of money on fashion

Discount vouchers can help you to make significant savings on fashion (provided you don’t allow your self to buy extra unwanted clothes that will stay at the back of the wardrobe unused. You need to be really hard headed to save money on fashion as those tempting sales offers and discount vouchers encourage spending against our better judgement. Be 100% sure the items suit you and you will wear them before parting with your hard earned cash.

Low cost beauty tips

October 30, 2008 | Leave a Comment

As recession and job insecurity start to hit many households, paying lots of money for beauty products becomes lower priority as many households struggle to pay core bills.

However, help is at hand. Compromising on price of products does not mean that we nolonger look after ourselves and our bodies….her are a few tips to save money on some beauty treatments clearing the funds for those indispensible beauty products.

Water….the cheap way of achieving glowing skin

Dehydration leads to dry and flaky skin. We’ve all heard how we should aim to drink 8 glasses of water per day….not only does it help our concentration but it will also give you a glowing complexion.

Milk….good enough for Cleopatra…great for our skin too

If you have too much milk left in the fridge and you want a treat before it goes sour, add a cup full of milk to you bath for a natural moisturising treat.

Give natural moisture back to your hair

Hot water strips your hair of moisture. Not for the feint hearted in the winter months, but great for shiny locks…..use luke warm water to wash your hair then finish with a cold rinse to seal the hair’s cuticles and keep in the hair’s natural moisture.

Lemon aid for stained nails and fingers

If you have used a lemon for cooking, take the skin and rub it over your finger nails and finger tips. It will remove any unsightly stains and leave your nails and fingers cleaner and brighter.

Blasting hot and cold?

Taking the time to do blasts of alternating hot and cold water in the shower doeas wonders to boost blood and lymph circulation and is even claimed to ward off cellulite. It doesn’t matter whether you start or finish on a hot or cold blast…its the alternating that dilates blood and lymph vessels and get everything moving.

Next Page »