With bills staying stubbornly high, finding ways to save money has become a priority for many households. Some of the most effective savings come from cheapskate habits - the small, over-careful tweaks that might earn you a few comments from family members at first.
They can take a bit of getting used to, but once you adopt a cheapskate mindset, these habits quickly become second nature. Before long, you start spotting savings everywhere.
These cheapskate home hacks work all year round and help cut costs without making your home any less comfortable.
Wasted energy makes up 30% of the average energy bill - do something about it! Get more from your smart meter with Loop.
The kitchen is a goldmine for savings. A few smart swaps can reduce energy use with very little effort.
Start by using the lids on your pans. Trapping heat in means food cooks faster, and it can make cooking up to 10% more efficient.
Another cheapskate trick is avoiding the oven whenever possible. Ovens are one of the biggest energy guzzlers in the home. So for smaller meals, it’s cheaper to use an air fryer, microwave, or slow cooker instead.
Even boiling the kettle can be done the cheapskate way. Only boil the water you actually need, and avoid re-boiling water that’s gone cold. This tiny habit alone can save around £36 a year.
Small changes in the bathroom can really add up. Washing your hands with cold water instead of hot is a cheapskate favourite. As long as you’re using soap and washing thoroughly for at least 30 seconds, you’ll still get clean hands while using less energy.
Shorter showers are another easy way to save. Keeping showers under four minutes cuts both water and heating costs. Regularly taking showers longer than 20 minutes can add over £120 to your yearly gas bill.
Heating your home can quickly eat into your budget, but there are alternatives to turning up the thermostat.
One of the most effective ways to stay warm is to heat the human, not the home.
Instead of cranking up the heating, layer up and use personal heating options like heated blankets, hot water bottles, or microwavable cherry stone bags. These are low-cost alternatives to central heating, but they do require proper care. Hot water bottles should be replaced every few years to avoid burns caused by rubber degradation, and electric blankets should always be used according to the manufacturer’s guidance.
There are several methods to make your heating go further. Turning down your boiler flow temperature, installing smart TRVs, and sticking to a heating schedule will make your money go further.
How you use your appliances matters just as much as which ones you own. Cheapskates know that energy efficiency ratings are just as important as the price tag when replacing appliances - because the cheapest model to buy isn’t always the cheapest to run.
Using your washing machine’s eco mode saves energy and reduces wear and tear on your clothes. Eco mode uses lower temperatures and less water, meaning they use less energy and help your clothes last longer.
Tumble dryers are another major energy drain. Where possible, opt for clothes horses, outdoor washing lines on sunny days, or heated drying racks. If you do need to use the dryer, use it wisely. Allowing space for air to circulate is key. Avoid overstuffing the dryer: using dryer balls can help create more gaps in the laundry, allowing the air to circulate. Adding a dry towel to the load can also absorb excess moisture and reduce drying time.
Cheapskates are also wary of Phantom Load - the energy that appliances use in the background when they’re left switched on or on standby. Turning devices off at the wall helps eliminate this hidden drain on your energy bill. This wasted energy costs the average household £250 a year!
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