If you are a homeowner worried about the rising cost of bills, you are not alone. Many people are worried that they are not going to cope with rising fuel prices, energy prices, insurance policies, the list goes on. However, this guide is here to lend you a helping hand.
Small changes like switching to a Lebara SIM only plan or reducing your energy usage can help you save a lot of money while preserving your budget. Below – are seven steps that you can follow to make the prospect of rising bills feel a lot more manageable.
Reduce Your Energy Usage
Energy bills are soaring to an all-time high. It has been reported that energy bills have doubled for most US families. Although this is daunting, it is important that we remain calm and figure out what we can do to reduce our energy usage. This may be a lot easier than you first thought. For example, simple changes like not leaving your appliances on standby can shave money off your monthly bill.
Taking shorter showers and not leaving lights on in rooms around your home are also simple tactics that can make a huge difference. It is recommended that you look into ways to reduce your energy usage online, as there are plenty of steps that you can try. If you want to tackle those rising costs head-on, it is time that you and those living with you start to think carefully about your energy usage.
Create A Monthly Budget
If you do not have a monthly budget, there is no better time to create one than now. Creating a monthly budget will help you keep track of your spending. It gives you a clear picture of your finances so you can work out how much money you need for your basic essentials like food and bills. Without a clear idea of how much you are spending, you can end up getting yourself into a difficult financial situation.
To help you create a budget, you will need to use an online budget planner or budgeting apps. You can easily gain access to these with a quick Google search. Resources like these allow you to write down your income alongside your expenditure, so you have a clear idea of how much money you have leftover each month to spend on fun things like days out.
Sell Unwanted Items
Sometimes, your monthly pay cheques might not cut it. So, you may need to look into ways to make some extra cash. Luckily, that process could not be easier thanks to selling sites. You can now turn your old clutter into cash by selling your unwanted items on sites like eBay. All you have to do is snap a photo and upload it to your profile and let buyers commence bidding – it really is that simple.
Don’t underestimate the power of a good garage sale too. These are a great opportunity for you to sell some unwanted items so you can make some cash to put towards your monthly bills. To find a garage sale close to you, conduct a quick online search. Use social media platforms like Facebook, as you will likely find information about upcoming sales in your area.
Negotiate With Providers
Are your bills with your current providers skyrocketing? It is time to start negotiating with them. Many people often settle for the providers that they already have when they could be getting a better deal elsewhere. Simply ringing up your mobile phone or energy provider could help you lower your bill costs. Your provider will work with you to find a deal that suits your financial situation. After all, they want to keep your custom.
Switching from contracts to SIM only plans can also help when it comes to mobile phones – an essential most of us cannot live without. Check out the Lebara website and look into SIM only plans that they offer. SIM only plans are a lot cheaper than contracts, and the best part is Lebara’s plans are 30 days rolling. So, you can change or cancel your policy at any time.
Use Price Comparison Sites
As well as negotiating with your current providers, you should also use price comparison sites to help you find better deals on essential items like home insurance. You can find a long list of price comparison sites online, and most of them are free to use, which is a bonus. You will be required to enter some details to gain access to quotes from a range of different providers.
Using sites like these is a great opportunity for you to find cheaper providers. If you can find a more affordable deal elsewhere, take this to your current provider. You can see if they will match it. You never know – in some cases, they may even offer a better deal just to keep your custom. It is an excellent way to tackle those rising bill costs head-on.
Write A List For Your Food Shop
This may sound like a simple step to follow, but it is one that so many of us forget to do. Grocery shopping can put a dent in most homeowners’ budgets. If you go into the shop without a clear idea of what you want, you can quickly start to throw in unnecessary items that you do not need. As a result, your total food bill will rise. To avoid this, you must start writing a weekly shopping list.
Doing this allows you to plan your food shop around your monthly budget. It helps you avoid buying items that you do not need. Another top tip is to not go grocery shopping while hungry. You will tend to find that you end up putting more items into your basket that your budget did not account for. With more planning and preparation, you can slash those monthly food bills in half.
Turn Your Thermostat Down
No one likes to feel cold in their own homes. So, it is no surprise that most of us reach for our thermostats the second we feel a chill. However, if you don’t want your household bills to keep on rising, you must try and turn the thermostat down. You may be surprised to know that lowering your heating by seven degrees can save you nearly 15% off your energy bills.
This doesn’t mean that you have to freeze during the colder seasons. Instead, decorate your home with more soft furnishing like cozy blankets and pillows. Draught proofing your home can also make a noticeable difference. Run your hands along your window seals to check for any air leaks. You can then fix any that you find, which will help to keep your home warmer during the colder months.
Summary
So, there we have it – seven steps that all homeowners can follow to help them tackle those rising bill costs. Don’t hesitate to switch providers and look into new deals like Lebara SIM only plans to help you slash those bills in half. Remember that negotiation is vital. If you do not try to reach out to your current providers, you will never know just how much money you could be saving. It will also help if you do not underestimate the effect of writing your grocery list and using resources like a budget planner. Although these may seem like minimal changes, you will be amazed at just how much of a difference they can make.