As the cost of everyday essentials such as food, energy bills and transport have soared in price recently, many of us are beginning to feel the pinch. The cost of living crisis currently affecting many parts of the world means that household spending will not stretch as far as it once did and saving money each money could prove to be more of a challenge once the mortgage or rent and day to day costs have been taken into account. In an attempt to spend less and save more, this article has outlined some simple ways to help you and your family live well on less.
Upcycle
Upcycling is a creative way to recyle or reuse something by modifying it and giving it a new lease of life, often in a more beautiful or valuable way than before. By upcycling your old clothes you can instantly update your wardrobe at little to no cost. Whether it’s sewing up tears, adding buttons, frills or embroidery, a simple item such as a tshirt can be transformed into something vibrant and new.
Instead of throwing away your old pair of jeans, consider turning them into shorts with a pair of scissors and some simple hemming. Refashion an old dress into a skirt or an oversized shirt into a dress by adding a belt. By getting creative with your wardrobe you can save money on purchasing new garments, reduce clutter around your home and help the environment.
Cook More
According to research, 60% of people in the U.S order delivery or takeout once a week. The cost of ordering takeaways, home deliveries and eating out can quickly add up, reducing the amount of money you have left at the end of each month.
Instead, buy your ingredients from the supermarket and cook healthy meals at home that can be refrigerated or frozen to last longer. Reduce food wastage by creating a shopping list of essential items before you visit the supermarket which will prevent you from making unnecessary or impulse purchases. Make use of any coupons you might have, and check out sites such as DontPayFull that offer online coupons and promo codes for a number of stores.
Another helpful tip is to prepare your lunch at home rather than eat out when you are at work the next day. Simple and healthy lunch ideas include salads, sandwiches and even leftovers from your dinner.
Grow Your Own
In addition to preparing meals at home, consider using produce you have grown yourself. Whether you have a backyard big enough for a vegetable patch or a window ledge where you can grow your own herbs, each ingredient helps to reduce your overall expenditure on groceries.
As well as the satisfaction of eating a meal with home-grown ingredients, you can enjoy the added benefit of consuming organic produce which is free from pesticides and chemicals making it healthier for you and your family as well as kinder to the environment.
Many vegetables such as carrots, lettuce, beets, and tomatoes are relatively easy to grow as well as herbs like basil, mint and parsley and aside from the modest price of a packet of seeds, require very little expenditure.
Follow these tips to live on less by growing money from the comfort of your own home.
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