Five Ways to Cut Costs Without Leaving the House

Cutting your household budget can require some time and effort. For example, comparing deals, visiting particular stores to use coupons, or making things instead of buying them. However, there are things you're currently using in your house or your yard that could save you money with a little tinkering. Here are five ways to save:

Batteries

Some households, especially those with kids, go through batteries like water. When a multiple-battery device seems to die, all of the batteries are probably not dead. Batteries discharge at different rates, so when you throw away two "dead" batteries from your TV remote, wireless mouse, you may be throwing away one dead battery and one with some remaining juice.

Battery charge testers cost $4-6, an amount that will be recouped quickly by reusing those half-charged batteries instead of discarding them. I've used the half-discharged batteries in things like remote controls that require little power, yielding months of use out of a battery I would have otherwise thrown out.

Be careful with this tip however, and check to make sure your electronic device will not be damaged by using batteries with different amounts of charge.

Share with Your Neighbors

There are a number of things you use around your house, especially in the yard, that can be shared with a neighbor. For example, a lawnmower and yard tools can easily be shared. Of course, some people may not be friendly enough with a neighbor to put this into practice, but the savings can be significant.

Before ordering landscaping materials, ask your neighbor if they would be willing to split a delivery. I was able to save about one-third the cost of mulch by splitting a truckload with my neighbor. Another cost to share is annual one-day rentals, such as a power-washer in the spring or larger landscaping machinery that is only used once.

Appliances

The average cost of electricity has increased in the U.S. and that trend is likely to continue into the foreseeable future. Limiting electricity and other utilities can result in a quick decrease your household budget. Appliances use a significant portion of your monthly electricity consumption. Therefore, focusing on appliances is an excellent place to start decreasing that electric bill.

If you have a dryer, you use it for the convenience of not having to line-dry clothing. However, cut a load here and there by line-drying easy items such as towels or bedding. Not to mention, a load of towels takes a relatively long time to dry and therefore use more power. Another cutback is in the kitchen. Instead of using the stove to warm up something small such as a few pieces of pizza, use a toaster oven that consumes less energy to do the same job. Lastly, keeping your freezer full, even with frozen bottles of water, will decrease the power needed to keep it at a consistent temperature.

Pets

It is estimated that Americans spend over $40 billion each year on their pets. Obviously, with that kind of money, there's room for savings. One of the easiest ways to save on your pet costs is grooming the pet yourself. A monthly trip to the groomer may be convenient, but it's also costly and something you can just as easily do at home.

Re-read the instructions that come with your pet's food. You may be overfeeding your pet and not realize it. Lastly, ask yourself if your pet is truly interested in wearing a winter knit sweater or a hat. The accessories are likely an unnecessary expense.

Cable, Internet, Phone, Etc.

Of course, there once was a day when people somehow managed to live without these things. Today, that seems just about impossible. Making a call is all that's needed to save some money on these modern-day necessities. There's a lot of competition out there and you will be surprised to find out what your provider will give you, in terms of discounts or freebies, to keep you as a customer.

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