There are no small savings! A euro here, a euro there, and you end up with a nice jackpot at the end of the year, without even thinking about it! Discover small, simple actions to adopt on a daily basis to gain purchasing power.
Have a shopping budget… and stick to it
Before going to the supermarket, make a shopping list, taking care to check your cupboards. This little trick is a good way to avoid being tempted in the store or making unnecessary expenses. Similarly, cooking is often cheaper than buying ready meals, and it is healthier. So it's a good time to bring out your grandmother's recipes!
Unplug electrical devices
Even on standby, electrical appliances consume energy and drain your budget. This is called passive consumption. By remembering to turn off your televisions, computers, microwaves… you can save up to 11% of your electricity bill, or around 86 euros over 1 year.[1]
Top 5 of the most energy-consuming electrical appliances
No. 1:the oven, more than 1,000 kWh per year on average;
No. 2:the electric hob, between 500 and 1,000 kWh per year;
No. 3:air conditioning, between 500 and 1,000 kWh per year;
No. 4:the clothes dryer, 350 kWh per year;
No. 5:the fridge-freezer, 200 to 500 kWh per year.
The solution to consume less? Consult the energy labels in store. A to C is fine. From D, it starts to consume a lot.
Turn off the lights
Lighting accounts for 12% of your electricity bill. Getting into the habit of turning off the light when leaving a room is a simple gesture that saves you dollars. Likewise, choose low-consumption bulbs that last 8 times longer than conventional bulbs and consume 3 to 5 times less energy.
Did you know?
A dusted bulb provides 40% more light. To your feather dusters!
Do not let the water run while brushing your teeth
We often underestimate the impact of this bad habit. However, letting the water run while brushing your teeth is wasted 25 liters of water, 10,000 liters of water per year per person (i.e. 10 m 3 ). At more or less 4 euros per cubic meter of water, that's another 40 euros saved.
Bringing energy competition into play
Once a year, take stock of your electricity, gas, water, Internet and mobile plans. Use online comparators to find the best offers on the market according to your profile. Indeed, changing supplier can save you several hundred euros per year. First contact your current providers to renegotiate your rates. If they refuse, threaten them with leaving for the competition. They will surely roll out the red carpet for you to keep a loyal customer.
Lower the temperature
Lowering the temperature by one degree already saves 7% on the bill. No need to overheat. Keep this in mind:20 degrees in living areas, 17 degrees in bedrooms. Are you still shivering? Put on a good wool sweater and think about this weekend that you can afford at the end of the year thanks to the savings made!
Spend less money by making your own household products
Bio-cleaning is not only environmentally friendly, it is also very economical. Preparing your own household products or washing powder yourself can save around €500 per year. Get the kids involved in the making, they love to play little chemists.
D.I.Y:a cleaner for every room in the house
Mix 1 liter of water, 1 tablespoon of baking soda, 1 tablespoon of white vinegar, 1 tablespoon of the essential oil of your choice to perfume. Pour the multi-purpose cleaner into a spray bottle. It's ready!
Rent or buy used
For objects that are not regularly used (DIY appliances, childcare items, etc.), renting is an excellent solution. Another secret to spending less:buy second-hand. Apps like Vinted, Le Bon Coin or La Centrale offer you the opportunity to buy furniture, clothes, cars at very competitive prices.
Reduce your energy consumption:useful applications
Here are 4 apps to help you better manage your overall energy consumption:
As you can see, adopting small daily reflexes can quickly make a difference to your wallet in the long term. And as always, apps are your allies in your hunt for savings.
[1] ADEME (French Environment and Energy Management Agency)
