New home
Moving into a new home, whether you’re buying a place or renting, is an expensive time. Buying a home is probably going to be the biggest single purchase you’ll make in your life, and renting a property is a significant monthly expense, so it’s all the more important to try and save money wherever you can. There are lots of resources out there that will help you be penny-wise and protect yourself when purchasing and renting.
Top Tips
- Look online to find cheap (or even free) TVs, furniture and appliances. There are websites which advertise unwanted items. Sometimes people just want to get rid of something without having to pay for someone to take it away. You could be the person to do them the favour of taking their washing machine for free.
- It’s always good to have a tidy up and, if you’re moving house, it’s a great opportunity to clear through cupboards and wardrobes and find unwanted items you can sell for a bit of extra cash.
- Things can get busy sorting out a new home, but try to allocate time to look over your finances. Are you on the best energy tariff? Can you switch to a different internet provider and get free calls?
- “Up-cycling” is a big deal these days – this means taking old furniture or other items and adapting them to the latest styles. Do friends and family have an unwanted piece of furniture that you could transform with a lick of paint or a new seat cover to look brand new?
- Being energy efficient in your home isn’t just good for the environment; it’s good for your pocket too. Some local councils offer free services where they will look at the energy efficiency of your home and will fit reflective panels behind your radiators, or give you a free energy consumption tool or a timer for your shower. There’s loads you can do too, such as making home-made draft excluders out of old clothes or making sure you close your curtains when you turn the heating on.
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