The news about the cost of living increases that is already happening and is starting to happen is all scary.
So far I haven’t seen one positive story about how costs are going to be capped, reduced or even earnings increase which just all sounds like it may become a bit of a nightmare for many of us. No matter your current situation, I think we may all start to struggle with what may be coming.
If you are concerned about the cost of living rising, you may be looking at ways to cope with it all. Here are the steps we are taking to reduce our costs:
Reduce our car usage –
The cost of topping up our tank is just silly now and we don’t use it as often as some people, so those reliant on their car must really be feeling the pressure.
To try and curb the car costs, we will be using the car as minimally as possible. We are fortunate enough to be able to walk to work but for those who don’t, is there the option to maybe car share with someone so you drive one week and they drive the next?
It might not save lots of money but for most people, saving half a tank of petrol a month is likely to save about £45-£50.
Cutting our food budget –
Food prices are rising across the board and unfortunately, it doesn’t matter where you shop.
Now, I have previously about cutting the food budget and you can read that here. Alongside these points on the post, I am also starting to run down the supplies that we have in the house too. It may feel a little extreme but if it means we can get away with not buying a few items over the next few weeks it will start to save us a few pounds too.
We are also going to look at the options for dinners that we have, there may be a few nights where we decide to go for something simple such as eggs, chips and beans or even pasta using up the bits we have leftover. It won’t be every night but a few meals that are cheaper will also help keep the costs down.
Shop around for contracts such as our TV package and insurances –
We have a couple of our current contracts coming up that we will be looking to get the best deals we can with.
Do not feel like you have to stay with your current provider out of loyalty, their renewal quote will not be the best deal you can get. If you are unsure of how to get a better deal, make sure you check out this post.
Things that you may be able to get a better deal on include:
- Mobile phones
- TV/Broadband
- House insurance
- Pet insurance
- Car insurance
- Roadside assistance
Don’t forget to make sure you shop around and take advantage of things such as cashback sites like Quidco!
Use cashback sites and apps –
There is a number of sites out there now to help you save cash or earn money back on your shopping, these might not seem like they are going to save you much but every little bit helps.
If you have not used these before but would like to check them out, they include:
- Quidco – My favourite one and over the years I have earned £2159 back in cashback!
- Topcashback – The same as Quidco, just a different site.
- Airtime Rewards – This is an app that earns you cashback to use against your mobile phone bill. Use the code ERQYW7EJ for a bonus of £1 if you sign up and spend in one of the stores in the first 7 days.
- Shopmium – Another shopping app, this one gets you most items discounted by cashback. If you sign up using AEHHCCUT you will get a pot of Pringles!
Don’t forget that you can use your loyalty cards too, make sure you are getting those points from any purchases you are making.
Coping with the cost of living increases
None of the above is going to stop the increases or even balance it out but for every little bit I can save or earn back, it is a few more pounds that can go back in to help soak some of the costs that are coming.
Who knows what winter may look like, all we can do is control the bits we can do with our spending and living.
