Practical tips to keep on top of the rising living costs around the home

News at Church Robinson | 05/04/2022


With the continued rising cost of living, it can be very easy to feel overwhelmed. Making some changes around your home and keeping an eye out for better deals on bills is a great way to help put away some savings and reduce the pinch you’re feeling.

Here are some tips on how you can make changes and discover ways to cut down on unnecessary costs round the house.
 

Get into good habits

Getting into good habits around the house sounds simple, but it can take time to adjust! Making small changes around the home can benefit you overall each year. To save money from your energy consumption, try:

  • Turning lights and appliances off when they’re not in use.
  • Fit a timer on your immersion heater - get the hot water you need at the time you are going to be using it the most.
  • Run your washing machine at 30 degrees and put on fuller loads of washing to reduce the number of times you are using it.
  • Air drying clothes – saves using the washing machine! 


Review your household bills

It’s never a bad time to review your household bills! Use comparison websites to keep track of any deals that could help lower costs – even look at the providers that you’re currently with.

Also, make sure that the energy bill you are receiving is accurate to your energy consumption. If you have a smart meter your energy provider will automatically receive readings instead of estimates, but if you don’t, that’s ok! You can take the meter readings yourself each month or quarter and send them to your supplier for an accurate statement.

Another household bill you might not have thought about is council tax. Believe it or not, many people are in the wrong council tax band! Luckily it doesn’t take long to find out if you are paying the correct amount.

If you are paying the wrong tax bracket price, you could be saving hundreds of pounds each year moving on, and entitled to a repayment backdated to when you first moved into your home.

Keep an eye out on any rebates you are entitled to – only recently it was announced that households in council bands A-D would be automatically eligible for some money back in April.

 

Focus on food costs


One of the biggest hits to our bank account is food. We are all guilty of buying things we think we need, but we already have, and forgetting about food in the fridge, freezer or cupboard. Here are some ideas to help you save money on your food bill:

Keep an active shopping list – have a shopping list on your fridge, and when you run out of something, add it!

Limit the time and petrol spent by minimising the times you pop out to the shops - do your food shopping once a week!

  • Find recipes which are compatible with items you’ll have in your cupboard, as well as your fresh food.
  • Create meal plans to limit any overspend on ingredients you won’t be eating.
  • Make some time to cook in bulk - bulk meals are great for reducing waste and saving money.
  • Utilise your garden – whether you have a large garden, or just some pots dotted about a patio space, you can make use of your space and save money by growing your own food. Plant some vegetables, fruit, even a fruit tree in pots, trugs or in the ground, and watch them grow!

 

Seek out thrifty home furnishings

Are you are looking to revamp your home or outdoor space, but worried about the rising cost of living and your budget? There are many ways to find furnishings and save some money on them, that will transform your living space.

Why not browse local auctions? They are free to attend, and you might just find what you’re looking for and get it at a fraction of the price. Remember to stick to a strict budget for what you want to buy, and watch out for auction fees!

You could also browse house sales, charity shops and the local waste collection centre for some hidden gems to compliment your home.

If you want to change things up but like what you already have, do some upcycling! It is amazing what some paint, reupholstery and a different finish can do to uplift a piece of furniture and rejuvenate your home.
 

How Church Robinson can help

Established more than 21 years ago, you can be assured that we are the experts when it comes to property.  

We are always open and honest about the sales process. Whether this is your first house sale or your 10th, we are always happy to go through the full sales process with you.  
We also work with all types of landlords and will work with you to ensure that renting out your property is as stress-free as possible.
Our dedicated and qualified lettings and property management teams will use their experience and expertise to deliver a first-class service and support you at every step.
This will ensure that you know exactly what to expect. We are also always at the end of the phone or email should you have any questions or queries. 

As a leading local estate agent in DidcotLambourn & HungerfordMarlboroughDevizesNewbury and the surrounding areas we are best placed to help you sell or let your property. We can even help you in finding your next home.

To find out more about how we can support you through your house sale contact us today.