Eco Tips to Save You Cash

To mis-quote Anne-Marie Bonneau

“We don’t need a handful of people being perfectly environmentally friendly, we need millions of people doing it imperfectly”

And I truly believe that.  I’m probably preaching to the converted but I have put together a list of small changes we can all make which actually SAVE money.  They are my own ideas plus others I have pinched from online gurus.  Maybe there is ONE THING on the list you don’t currently do but you could?  What about making this change this week and perhaps next week/month finding another?

You’ll be pleasantly surprised how quickly things become habit and that’s what it all about.

So here goes – you only have to pick one!

Energy

1. Get in the habit of switching off lights you’re not using. I always switch on the landing light in the evening when I have to go upstairs to the loo.  I’m trying really hard to always switch it off when I come back down
2. Peg washing on the line whenever possible. If it’s raining use an airer (what my mum always called a clothes horse).  We’ve got so many clothes these days it’s unlikely that we need them back quickly.
3. Only use the dishwasher and washing machine when you have a full load.
4. Clean the dust off the coils on the back of the fridge/freezer. Apparently this can increase energy efficiency by up to 30%.
5. Do you keep the shower running while you put shampoo/shower gel on? I put conditioner and shower gel on at the same time (not actually at the same time but with no washing in between – you knew what I meant) and have managed to get in the habit of turning the water off while I do them.
6. Turn your phone charger off as soon after it’s fully charged as you can. It continues to use energy if left switched on.

Water

1. If you haven’t already, find out from your water company if it’s worth you getting a water meter. If there’s several of you in the house the answer may be no.  Assuming it’s a yes:
2. Energy tip number 5 also saves water.
3. Ask your water company for a FREE Shower regulator. Freebies are at here
4. Find other water-saving tips at Waterwise

Reduce

1. Join the library. As well as practically any book to borrow they have access to free online magazines, computers to use and community groups to visit.  It’s an amazing free resource.  Since joining I have only bought one physical book (because I wanted to own it for research purposes) and one kindle book (because I was going away and didn’t have time to get to the library or charity shop first).
2. Carry at least one folding shopping bag in your handbag/manbag/changing bag.
3. Always use a refillable bottle and/or cup when you’re out. Don’t buy bottled water, find a refill station (there’s an app for that) and coffee in your own cup is cheaper than in theirs.
4. Use bin liners in your waste paper baskets? When emptying into the big bin, just empty the liner.  It’s rare that the liners themselves have to go in the bin.
5. Can it be repaired? Try YouTube for a video which may solve your exact issue.  You may not have to buy a new one.
6. Keep shopping bags in your car AND USE THEM.
7. Make your own food bin liners. We have been making them from Amazon paper (you know how they stuff their delivery boxes with yards and yards of brown paper), newspaper and even Lidl leaflets.

Transport

1. Could you car-share, even occasionally? One less car journey a month saves fuel and money.  One a week saves even more.
2. Could you work at home one extra day per month?
3. Could you walk that short-ish journey you make sometimes in the car?

Other Stuff

1. Have a spending break! For a month, check on everything you buy.  Do you need it, could you find a cheaper one? Could the old one be repaired?  Do you need that coffee or could it wait until you get home?  Do you even want it or is just a habit?  Could you buy it second hand?
2. Do you buy plastic bottles (we all do)? Buy the largest bottle you can to save money and plastic.  If it’s too big to handle, decant some into your old bottle or a reusable container to use on a day-to-day basis.  I recently decanted some seeds (I know, how middle class) into an old marmalade jar.  Ok, bad example, I bought the sees at a refill shop but you get the idea.  I recently bought a HUGE bottle of shampoo.
3. Could you grow one type of vegetable from seed or plug plant?

Did you find something? Perhaps you’re doing it all already?  If so, you’re a hero and I love you!

I’m going for Energy point 6, Other Stuff point 2,  and I’m going to ask Colin if he would help me do Energy point 4 – it won’t be easy pulling that fridge-freezer out!

PLEASE let me know if you’ve chosen something and how you get on.  Comments are really appreciated.