There are a lot of things you do around your apartment that can contribute to bigger bills and unexpected expenses. The good news is that you can prevent a lot of these issues and potentially save hundreds of dollars in your monthly budget. Here are some of the biggest money mistakes around your home and how to avoid them.
1. Paying for cable and satellite coverage. With the rising costs of cable subscriptions and satellite coverage, many renters have been opting to get rid of them completely – and for good reason. There are many services, such as Netflix that air the same shows you love for less than $10 per month. So it might be time to downgrade your cable subscription to basic, or get rid of it altogether.
2. Buying brand-new items. With a renewed love for all things vintage happening lately and the increase in the popularity of up-cycling, there are a lot of excellent diamonds in the rough out there, especially when it comes to furniture. Buying pre-loved household items can save you a bundle, and this lets you purchase new items you’ll really need to buy new further down the line.
3. Over cooling or overheating your apartment. Many renters cringe when they see their gas and electric bills come through each month, and some of the main culprits are your air-conditioning and heating systems. It may be hot and humid outside, but your apartment doesn’t have to feel like the inside of your fridge when you walk in. Even turning down the thermostat a few degrees can make a huge difference. Additionally, you could turn off the air-conditioning completely at night and rely on fans to keep cool, as the temperatures tend to drop once the sun goes down. Creating a cross-breeze in your apartment on cooler summer days is also a good idea. Likewise, in the winter months, you can reduce your bills dramatically by adjusting the thermostat by just a few degrees and investing in well-made blankets to keep warm.
4. Paying too much for water because of leaks. This is a huge drain on your household expenses, literally. Every drip can mean extra digits in your water bill. If you notice a leaky faucet or showerhead or a running toilet, alert your landlord so that it’s repaired immediately. Water bills can rack up quickly with even the smallest leak – and one thing you really don’t want in your apartment is the mold and mildew.
5. Being less than green. Making eco-friendliness a priority isn’t just great for the environment; it’s also excellent for your monthly budget. For instance, only run your dishwasher or washing machine when you have a full load to save water. You can also take shorter showers, clean veggies by swishing them in a bowl of water (rather than running them under the faucet), and turn off the faucet when you’re washing your hands or brushing your teeth. This may not sound like much, but going green really can make a difference over time for your wallet and for Mother Earth!
6. Overpaying for lighting. While eco-friendliness and lighting go hand-in-hand, your fixtures in particular have a significant impact on your monthly bills. For starters, be sure you turn off lights whenever you leave a room. Not only is a continually running bulb unnecessary and costly, but it also isn’t so great for the environment. It might also be time to think about switching over to LEDs or more energy-efficient bulbs next time you’re shopping, as prices for this type of lighting has become much more affordable in recent years. While these fixtures might cost a bit more than regular bulbs upfront, they last a lot longer because they use significantly less energy. Who likes changing out bulbs anyway?