There is no doubt that over the last few years, living has become expensive. The moment you step out of your family’s house, whether you own a place or rent, whether you live alone or with others, a household is full of expenses, expected and unexpected.

Home expenses can drain the most out of your salary and pile up pretty quickly. Electricity has gone wild, inflation has caused a considerable increase even in basic groceries, not to mention that if something breaks, the cost of fixing or replacing it can be a financial nightmare.

The good news is that there are some ways to cut back on expenses and relieve your pocket from the sometimes unbearable cost of living. The following hacks may seem a bit random, but at the end of the month, you will see a significant difference in your expenses.

1. Buy Bulk

This trick is a lifesaver since buying bulk is an efficient way to cut the amount spent on groceries. If you live alone, buying bulk may seem like an exaggeration, but products with no expiration date that can be cheaper are the perfect way to decrease your grocery list. Pasta, tomato sauces, nuts, toiletries, cleaning products, and legumes are the ideal candidates for bulk buying since you will definitely use them, and they can last for more than a whole year. Plan a visit to your local Costco and benefit from all the bulk products you can find there. Not bad, huh?

2. Meal Prep

We have already discussed the importance of meal prep, but meal prep can save you a significant amount of money apart from the other benefits to your time and healthy nutrition. When you plan your meals, you have control over what you need, and your grocery list will be more efficient. That is, you won’t be buying food you do not need immediately and will also be able to define the quantities you need. On the plus side, you will contribute toward sustainability since meal prep is a powerful ally in the battle against food waste.

3. Turn off The Lights

You get out of the shower, and then you are ready for an Emily In Paris episode in your modern and fantastic living room. However, you forget to turn off the bathroom lights, pass by the kitchen for a snack, and then turn the lights on again, and by the time you are in front of the TV, the whole house is up and running. However, did you know that this habit can impact your electricity bill? Not turning the lights off when you don’t need them, apart from energy waste, increases the bill. A simple move can save you a significant amount of money each month. Also, be mindful of the small appliances you use: unplug them when you don’t use them, and make sure that when you leave the house, you don’t forget the A/C on.

4. Switch to LED lightbulbs

Did you know that residential LED lights use at least 75 percent less energy and last up to 25 times longer than traditional incandescent lighting? It is so good for both the environment and your savings account! Switching to LED lightbulbs not only saves energy usage itself but also saves you far fewer light bulbs over time. The good news is you can find a variety of LED lights that match your taste so that you can choose precisely the shade, the color, and the size. Experiment with the different types and notice the difference in your electricity bill!

5. Watch water consumption

Water is a precious resource that often goes unnoticed in our daily routines, given that the water bill is relatively cheap. However, if you reduce your daily water consumption, this can significantly lower your utility bills. Next time you are in the shower waiting for your homemade hair mask to soften your hair, turn off the water. Also, reduce the time you spend in the shower by taking shorter showers (productivity hack) and replace your showerhead with a low-flow one. Adjust your laundry needs accordingly and keep in mind to use your dishwasher mindfully, aka don’t use it half-empty or don’t overload it. This can cause increased water consumption. Also, an essential step that will help is to be mindful of leaks and cracks because a leaky faucet can add to your monthly bill. Replacing a leaky faucet is not expensive and takes just minutes.

6. Use a humidifier

Summer is slipping away, and fall is coming, so another bill is added to our expenses: the heating bill. However, a humidifier can be a great solution to reduce your heating expenses. A humidifier cannot replace the actual heating system but will help spread the heating evenly in every room, leading to mindful energy consumption. Plus, a humidifier is good for the static electricity accumulated during the cold months and keeps our skin hydrated. Ensure you invest in a quality humidifier and watch your heating bill lowering.

7. Shield your windows

Windows are the primary cause of energy loss from a residence, which is translated into higher utility bills. The windows, apart from the view they offer us, are essential to maintain the coolness of the heat in the house. Invest in sun-blocking curtains so that the A/C energy isn’t eliminated by the sunlight coming from the windows. Also, during winter, if you are lucky enough to live in a place with sunlight, opening them will help keep the warmth in, aka less heating energy loss. Also, if you are among those who wake up immediately when the sun is up, then such curtains will prevent the sunlight from disrupting your sweet dreams!

8. Simplify your phone bills

Check your internet and phone bill and notice the charges. Do you really need all these free goodies that you are actually paying for? If you don’t use your landline, then cancel it and adjust the internet speed. Nowadays, the quality of internet speed is so good that paying for high-speed internet isn’t even worth it. Check with your phone provider and ask for any discounts and a more affordable solution to your needs. In general, most companies prefer to keep you satisfied rather than lose a client. Also, adjust your mobile line and find a program that matches your needs. What’s the point of paying for unlimited calls if you barely talk on the phone? On the other hand, if you are working from home and commuting is not on the table, then do you really need all this data? Small adjustments can show great results in your finances.

9. Cancel unused streaming subscriptions

Canceling subscriptions is, according to experts, the first step one can take to stop spending money. If you need to reduce your home expenses, you need to have a serious conversation with yourself about how much you need all the streaming services you use. Or, let me put it this way: Do you really need both Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Max simultaneously? If you do, tell us your secret on finding the time. After a long day at work, a good show is great, but nobody generally uses all these streaming platforms within a month. Monitor which subscriptions you actually use and stick to them. In case you are watching a specific show, then switch next month to that particular platform. Your bank account will appreciate it.

10. Borrow tools instead of buying them

I’m sure you have a good friend or family member with a comprehensive toolbox ready to be used. If you want to do a small project (the leaking faucet we were talking about) and don’t have the necessary tools to do so, instead of running to Amazon and buying it, ask your network to lend you what you need. This way, not only don’t you spend money on tools you may end up not using frequently, but you will also save storage space without accumulating a pile of unused tools.

11. Learn the basics

There is no home where anything stays intact forever. That means that something will break or a new painting will need hanging. However, if you aren’t very into those tasks, it’s easy just to call a handyman and solve your problem. The handyman will need to be paid, which will consequently be an unfriendly move toward your bank account. For this reason, learn some basic tasks like hanging, replacing a showerhead, or painting a wall. These tasks are not a piece of cake but can be learned quickly. This way, you won’t spend much time, energy, or money finding the perfect handyman whenever you need them (it’s not always easy to see them!), and you will have the results you aim for within a budget and a timeframe.

Nevertheless, if the tasks require a professional, ask your network (usually people who have toolboxes, know how to use them, and are experienced) if they can help you. For instance, if your A/C is broken, it’s better not to try to fix it yourself because you may end up harming it more and, consequently, paying more money.

12. Use your warranties

Sometimes, when you buy a small appliance, like a vacuum or a microwave, in case it breaks, it’s easy to just replace it with a new one. However, this can increase your expenses, and you will end up spending money when those products usually come with a warranty. Keep all the warranties in a drawer, and reach out to the seller or manufacturer for replacement or guidance on how to fix it. Why spend money on something when you can do it for free?