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Showing posts with label financialfriday. Show all posts

Save money on your electric bill

It is so easy for bills to creep up in cost and the electric bill is often one of the worst due to all the things that can change how much we use. Follow these simple steps to help reduce you electricity bill. I would alway recommend comparing supplier and don't assume your are with the cheapest option. In addition avoid pre-paid cards/keys as they work out much more costly, unless you are struggling with budgeting for bill then paying as you use (and topping up only when you have the cash) may be a better short term option. 



Turn off the lights when you leave the room and don't leave items on standby. I find that by using an extension cord it is easier for me to remember to turn of switches as I can do several in one go. 

Use big appliances like washing machine and tumble dryer in off peak hours (usually at night). Also try to run them on shorter/ eco cyces.

Avoid using a tumble dryer if possible. A good old fashioned washing line works great most of the time  or an indoor laundry maiden 


I don't use my kettle much but when I do I make sure to only fill up as much water as I need. So I am not using energy to unnecessary heat up extra water. 


If you don't already had energy saving lightbulbs these may a good item to invest in as in the long term it will reduce energy use or consider solar lights for outdoors. 


Keep your fridge/freezer in good condition, with no ice build up and 2/3 full (even if its just water bottles) for maximum energy efficiency.


Use energy efficiency appliances such as a croc-pot (slow cooker) as an alternative to other more expensive ones. Also look at the energy rating when purchasing a new appliance. 



How do you save electricity? 


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    If you are new to our blog, we are all about finding new ways for students and millennials to make and save money. Here are some of our favourite sites and products to help you out:
    • Start a blog. Blogging is our side-hustle just over a year ago we didn't think I would bring us any income . You can create your own blog here with my easy-to-use tutorial. You can start your blog for as low as $3.49 per month plus you get a free domain if you sign-up through my tutorial.
    • Save money with gift cards Whether its for buying clothes, your weekly shop or dining out use Zeek to buy discounted gift cards to get more bang for your buck. 
    • Use Swagbucks for your online searches. Swagbucks is a passive way to earn gift cards. Over the course of a year you could earn $500.  Swagbucks is just like using Google to do your online searches, except you get rewarded “points called SB” for the things you do through their website. Then, when you have enough Swagbucks, you can redeem them for cash, gift cards, and more. Receive $5 for signing up today.
    • Try matched betting. Matched betting is a great way to may easy money online. Despite the name it is not gambling and could see you earn £500-£1000 a month for only a couple of hours work a day see here and here. For your free trial head to profit accumulator or join the Facebook 'getting started' group.  
    • Sign up for a cashback site like Quidco. where you can earn CASH BACK for just spending like how you normally would online. The service is free too! Plus, when you sign up through my link, you also receive a free £10 bonus!
    *This post contains affiliate links, all opinions are our own*

    Free Monthly Budget template + GIVEAWAY

    Print out your FREE monthly budget template so that you can grapple your finances better.  Use these to track your spending through out the month and allow your to better understand your spending habits.  It it so much easier to control your spending when you see everything written down. Although there may be payments such as rent that you can change but other spending such as entertainment is much more controllable.



    You might find after doing your budget that you are overspending in a number of areas. Consider using  a 'cash only' system where you take out the budgeted amount in cash only meaning once its gone it is gone. 

    So I have recently set up an Esty store and will be selling pritnables (keep an eye out over the coming weeks as I upload more items). 

    Today's giveaway is a free budget planning printables kit which includes:
    • Monthly Budget

    • Bill Payment Tracker

    • Savings Tracker

    • Debt Snowball & Creditor information

    • Monthly Totals (2 pages)

    • Binder cover 

    For your chance to win enter using the raflecopter below.


    a Rafflecopter giveaway

    10 things I've bought that saved me money

    Inspired by BudgetGirl's video tag I decided to embark upon the "Things I've bought that saved me money" tag.




    1. Annual bus pass. At £365 a year rather than over £4 a day this has definitely saved me a lot this past academic year. 


    2. Water bottle and travel squash. I take these to uni everyday and it saves me so much as I don't end up buying drinks on campus. All I've gotta do is find a water source and add the squash and voila the perfect refreshing drink


    3.  Slow cooker. Chris and I received this as a gift for our engagement (so not technically a purchase). There are so many recipes I can make with my slow cooker, and they are perfect for my busy schedule. It means that if there is a meal all ready for me when I get home 


    4. NUS card. This is a student saver card that gets you student discount at so many stores and restaurants. It is only £12 a year but I have definitely saved more than that from the card. My tastecard also falls under this category (though I have never actually bought one, having won them in competitions). Tastecard's get you 2for1 in many restaurants.


    5. My DIY 'savvy cents' wallet. I found a super cute French Connections purse at TK Maxx about 2 years ago and recently started using it again as it has so many compartments making it easy for me to use a cash only system. This has helped me save money by not using my card and also sticking more stringently to the budget.


    6. Hair scissors. I have been cutting my own hair for the past three years and this has saved me so much money. I find that with curly hair it doesn't need to be super perfect. 


    7. Tupperware. I recently invested in some better quality Tupperware and love using it. I am keen on cooking in bulk and freezing. I also like to purchase items in clearance aisle and freeze them. In addition, I've been striving to take lunches with me to uni much more (as the canteen is expensive). 


    8. Falling under a similar category my drinks flask (thermos flask). I bought a super cute Kate Spade one on eBay before starting college and love it. In the winter I will take soup into uni for lunch, or hot chocolate. 


    9. 'Bag for life' I have a couple of the 10/50p bags that I reuse, this saves me money when shopping at the shops on campus which charges for every bag that I use. This is not only great for my budget but also for the planet. Plus when it wears out take it to the supermarket and they will change it for free hence the bag for life. 


    10. Staples better binder. I bought 5 during my high school years and they are still going strong and I intend to use them for the whole of law school (as I've only got one year left). I also use one for my household binder. This has saved me money as lower quality binders I have used in the past have 'died' really quickly and meant more cost for buying replacements.




    Be sure to check out the other videos on this tag