Money saving ideas /Energy prices

[Smelly32]

Does anyone have any ideas about money saving they could share?

Maybe switch to a cheaper brand/shop when grocery shopping. Money saved could go towards the cost of energy bills.

Any others ?

Honestly, I think the real answer is just use less energy. Make sure you have a smart meter. Work out which appliances use the most energy. Use them only when you need to. Turn off anything you usually leave in standby. Cook smart: batch cook large portions of things which can then just be microwaved on further days so you aren’t boiling big pans of water or turning the whole oven on to cook small amounts every day. Make sure all your lightbulbs are LED and energy saving. Take shorter showers. Turn the temperature you usually have them down by a degree or two. Same with your central heating.

All of this is little changes which add up to make a bigger difference and eventually they’re just the fabric of life and you don’t notice you’re doing them. If I had to, I’d rather do all of the above before start buying cheap food or cutting back elsewhere.

And unless your commute is thirty miles along a motorway - take up cycling. If you’d told me pre-pandemic that I’d now be cycling 8 miles each way to work and that it would take me less than 40 minutes, I’d have laughed in your face - but it’s so.

I’m going to work more instead. Time spent at work means less energy use at home plus if I’m home I tend to go to the shops or something and spend money on stuff I don’t actually need.

Eat more salad

Do you shower? I used to work next to a bloke who cycled six miles each way and he smelled pretty fruity.

Also cycling is really not for everyone.

@BookkeeperBobby

Do you shower? I used to work next to a bloke who cycled six miles each way and he smelled pretty fruity.

Also cycling is really not for everyone.

Shower at work

Look at your consumption of absolutely everything and ask do I need this?

It also depends on what you as an individual gain pleasure from and how to cut back if you can on small pleasures unfortunately. I will always love walking in the countryside and can walk to open fields only 15 minutes from my house.

It’s like trying new brands of stuff, sometimes I see something like a hair conditioner and would love to try it but I am allergic to loads of soaps, shampoos and cosmetics so never worth the risk.

I think one area is be a bit grubbier, I’m not suggesting going back to one bath a week on a Sunday night which is how I was raised but I spot clean clothes often.

And dry your hair/put on make-up/change into freshly ironed clothes there too?

Moot points for many like me really as our one and only shower (for sixty people) got turned off during covid, never again reactivated. Lots of people don't have showers at work anyway.

@BookkeeperBobby

Do you shower? I used to work next to a bloke who cycled six miles each way and he smelled pretty fruity.

Also cycling is really not for everyone.

Of course. No, it isn’t for everyone, but it’s for a whole lot more people than probably think it. Since I started cycling to work, not only do I save myself over £150 a month in tube fares - but I take two thirds of my showers in the office changing facilities so also save on hot water at home and rarely have to do a towels wash. Win win.

I've been on the waiting list for a smart meter for 2 years. I keep calling about it and they keep telling me that they are now doing a national roll out. Anyone else in the same boat? I keep reading that I need one and it's stressing me out!

The problem with cycling long distances is that I’m always fearful of getting a flat and being stuck. I have no idea how to fix one unless I’ve a bowl of water handy.

Yes, i lost a lot of goodwill at work on the days I biked in and got punctures and had to wheel the fucking thing to the nearest bike shop. And then lost money when I was late picking my son up due to detouring via said bike shop on foot after work to pick him up. It was shit and v stressful. Maybe is an ok life choice if you're middle class and in charge of your own time and can pootle around for fun. Or if your colleagues don't care if you smell. Pretty niche really.

Don't sweat the small stuff - look at the devices you have that consume a lot of energy and that can easily be reduced without too much hassle.

e.g. electric showers - consume a lot of energy so reducing the amount of time you shower will significantly reduce energy consumption.

Don't boil a full kettle if you just need a couple of cups - boil what you need.

It's really useful to know what devices you have and how they consume energy.

And then identify those changes that are relatively simple to make and can make a difference

Look, I’m not going to argue the toss with anyone about whether or not everyone should cycle and who physically can’t cycle - but like I said, three years ago I was merrily taking the tube to work every day and hadn’t ridden a bicycle since I was about 10, let alone considered using one as actual transport. Now I do, and I’ve had one puncture in those three years. I expect I’m representative of a good many people who could cycle to work but instead carry on paying train fares or for petrol. If you really can’t, then I’m sorry that you can’t save money that way.

Anyway OP, I’ll let other people come along with other ideas for you.

ComtesseDeSpair Thu 31-Mar-22 20:07:32
Honestly, I think the real answer is just use less energy.

It's just this.....yet I see my neighbours up-lighting their houses. They live in 1930's semis ! Ugh ?

I was actually hoping you’d be able to tell me a magic puncture solution. The Lycra-clad men on a Sunday seem to manage, but I’ve no idea how.

Wear clothes a few times before washing

Air Dry towels a few times before washing

Clothes horse or washing line instead of tumble dryer

Watch tv with the lights off
Better still read a book

Turn off heating and wear your dressing gown on top of clothes and thick socks

Have less cups of tea

Shower every other day

Don’t use a hair dryer just stand outside

If you’re cold do 100 star jumps and squats

I feel quite fearful as we stand here on the eve of the first price hike. Not really sure what’s to come but got a feeling it won’t be good!! The only good thing that might come out of it is an environmental one with people being more mindful of usage and car use.

@BookkeeperBobby

And dry your hair/put on make-up/change into freshly ironed clothes there too?

Moot points for many like me really as our one and only shower (for sixty people) got turned off during covid, never again reactivated. Lots of people don't have showers at work anyway.

Cycle slower then Get fitter and you will be able to cycle 8 miles without raising a sweat

We bath the kids together twice a week, plus they have a long hot shower after their swimming lessons.
We’ve recently bought a 1 cup camping kettle. No boiling more water than you need when making a cuppa.
We are lucky enough to have installed solar panels last year, they are going to make a massive difference to our bills this summer, not looking forward to the autumn though.

we are a two car household but now that we both WFH we are seriously thinking of getting rid of one car. Just slightly concerned that is the day work will announce a return to the office!

This is a bit of a daft one but check all your accounts, your PayPal, your old purses, the back of the sofa, the pockets of every jacket you own, the points balance on your store cards, your change tins, and add it all up. I do this as an exercise with people I work with and people often find between £20 and £50 doing this.

To avoid punctures have kevlar tyres fitted. I haven't had a puncture in years and years. Before I switched I would have them often, sometimes twice in a week.

@User65412

I've been on the waiting list for a smart meter for 2 years. I keep calling about it and they keep telling me that they are now doing a national roll out. Anyone else in the same boat? I keep reading that I need one and it's stressing me out!

We are having the same issue with my parent's house. My dad is blind and mum disabled and EDF won't install a smart meter. They are constantly ringing abs emailing looking for meter readings which we can't provide as I don't live with them. I launched a complaint with them but no use.

Water heating is now only on for 15 mins in the morning, just enough for showers.

I turn off the TV, set top box, landline phone and router at night, and leave them off if I'm at work and ds is at school.

I use a log burner in the evening so central heating is low background heat only and will be going off as soon as this cold snap is over. I get firewood free.

No idea how much it will all save me.