6 Money-Saving Tips for your Home

Everyone could do with a little extra money to play with each month - especially when you have little ones to look after. The cost of raising children has skyrocketed in recent years, with everything from clothes and childcare, to school trips and other treats costing so much more. If there’s no way for you to increase your income, or you’ve tried everything that you can think of, then you might find yourself needing to find other ways to cut costs. With that in mind, here are six money-saving tips!

Find Cheaper Childcare Options

Most parents spend a lot of money on childcare. After all, there are going to be times when you can’t watch your little ones yourself, so it does make sense to pay out for someone experienced to look after them. However, this isn't always necessary. There are many cheaper and free childcare options to consider. Childminders are usually a cheaper alternative to a nursery, and you might find the more intimate setting is more suited to your child too. There is also the option of asking loved ones to help you out with childcare - grandparents, siblings, close friends, etc.

Cook your Own Meals

As lovely as it can be to treat your family to a meal out now and then, you should avoid making this a habit if you want to save money. Most restaurants and takeaways charge much more than they need to on their food, leaving you out of pocket. So cooking your own food is not only better on your bank balance, but usually healthier for you too. You can even bulk cook meals and freeze some for later to save time and money in the long run!

Invest in Loft Insulation

A poorly insulated home can cause a lot of bother. Not only will you struggle to keep your house warm, but you’ll waste a lot of money doing it too. Because of this, you should consider investing loft insulation such as spray foam insulation. This works to block up and seal all of the gaps in your loft, which helps to keep warm air in and cold air out. Saving you money and also helping the environment in the process.

Head to Bed Earlier

Staying up late can be bad for your health, but it doesn’t do your bank balance any favours either. After all, the later you stay awake, the more gas, electricity, and water you will use. For this reason, you should develop a bedtime routine where you head to bed a little earlier. While you’re asleep, you also can’t order anything online or eat, which will save you even more money.

Tackle your Own Repairs

Some repairs should definitely be left to those who know what they’re doing, (attempting work involving gas, electricity, or plumbing is often a mistake that risks your own health, as well as your wallet). However there are many other simpler tasks that you should have no trouble handling yourself! So grab your toolbox and tackle those simple DIY jobs yourself.

Remember to Treat Yourself

Completely eliminating treats from your budget is rarely a good idea. Although it can potentially save you money, it’s more likely to make you want to splash out - usually costing you more. To avoid a big spend, make sure to allow yourself and your family a few treats each month. You could plan a day trip somewhere special, or allow yourself a budget for clothing and treats. Just don't let yourself go over that budget!

This is a collaborative post.