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If you’re concerned about the rising cost of living, which most of us are, you’re probably trying to think of ways you can cut costs. To help you get started, we’ve looked at five easy ways to save money this autumn below:
Admittedly, this is more about making money than saving money, but it’s good practice to have regular clear outs. That way, you’ll have more space for all the stuff you’re likely to get at Christmas… Go through your cupboards and loft, and set aside the better quality items. You can try and sell these online, such as on eBay or Vinted. Anything left over can be given to a local charity shop.
Selling unwanted items can not only earn you a bit of money, it can also be helpful for your peace of mind. Too much stuff in a relatively small space can make you feel a bit claustrophobic, thus getting rid of some of the clutter can be good for your mental health.
After selling some of your old stuff, you might want to use that money to start your Christmas shopping early. Take advantage of the end of season sales, and stock up on gifts, decorations, and non-perishable food. You can spread the cost over several weeks, so that you’re not just panic buying mid-December!
And don’t forget that Black Friday deals are a great way to get a discount on certain items. Most of these sales are online now too, so you don’t have to queue for hours just to get in the doors first! It is important to think about what you want to buy and then compare offers, rather than just seeing what’s on sale. Otherwise you could end up spending far more than intended.
When the weather starts getting colder, it can be tempting to stay snuggled up at home, and order in lots of food. Or if you do go out, you might stop off at a local pub for food and a pint. Unfortunately, these meals can add up, and get pretty expensive. So if you’re looking to save money this autumn, try experimenting with home cooked meals.
A lot of classic British food is perfect in terms of warming you up, and if you make big batches, you can even have leftovers for lunch the next day. And if you’d rather not have to come up with a meal after an exhausting day at work, you could consider making a meal plan for the week. This will also save you money – you can get the ingredients you need in advance, and not have to make lots of additional trips to nearby shops.
Exercising can be good for both your physical and mental health, but if you’re trying to save money, there’s no need to pay for gym membership. Try going jogging in your area, or hiking in any nearby locales. You could even set up a five-a-side football team with some of your friends. There are loads of ways you can exercise for free! And even if you were to invest in a piece of equipment such as a rowing machine, over the course of a year it would probably still be cheaper than monthly gym membership.
Exploring nature can furthermore be something you can do with your kids. Finding ways to entertain younger children can be difficult, and sometimes expensive. So try taking them for walks, collecting and identifying various leaves (Google will have the answers even if you don’t!), or picking seasonal berries from the hedgerows. Decorating pinecones is also a fun and inexpensive way to spend a few autumnal evenings!
With the cost of living on the rise, it’s more important than ever to save money on your bills. So if you’re able to weather-proof your home, such as by installing draft excluders by your doors and windows, it’s probably worth investing in. The same goes for putting in loft insulation, installing double glazing, or even setting up keyhole covers for your doors. All these things should help you save money on your heating bill.
You may also be surprised to know that dusting your radiators can increase their efficiency, and thereby save you money. Moving furniture away from your radiators will also help them be more effective, as can bleeding the radiators. And if you’re really trying to cut costs, try wearing as many layers as possible, so that you don’t need to put the heating on until winter!