5 Easy Ways to Avoid Costs Around the House

In 2020, in the wake of a protracted and difficult period of lockdown, more of us are looking for ways to cut down on our costs. As so many of us have been spending more time at home, perhaps the area where we’re looking most intently at cutting back is on home expenses, which are more likely to stack up in winter. 

So, we’ve collected together a few ways you might want to cover yourself for future expenses, some of which you might not have considered.

Take out boiler cover – One of the most common home costs (particularly in the winter months) is repairing or replacing a boiler. Boiler care is a delicate subject, as it’s not something many of us can deal with safely, which is why we always need to call in a professional when things go wrong. You might be thinking that you already have boiler cover under a manufacturer warranty, but the warranty will only cover you if it breaks down in a certain number of years. Boiler cover, meanwhile, covers all faults and breakdowns and an annual boiler service is included too!

Do it yourself – One thing lockdown has afforded many of us is the opportunity to learn a new craft. Indeed, DIY projects are how thousands of us have been wasting away the hours in isolation but now lockdown is over, don’t lapse back into old habits. Next time there’s a problem with the sink or a new shelf needs putting up, don’t dial your local handyman – do it yourself!

Refinance your mortgage – Interest rates are always moving up and down and if you[‘re not taking advantage of these fluctuations then you might want to start. Refinancing your mortgage at a lower rate could cut years off your mortgage or cut down your monthly payments substantially. If the interest rate is particularly low, you could also go for a longer fixed mortgage so that even if interest rates go up, you won’t be paying those higher rates.

Get a smart metre – Many energy providers will have already reached out to their customers to  try and tempt them into getting a smart metre installed and whilst it might sound expensive, we’d urge you to reconsider if you’ve turned them down. Smart metres can be used to more accurately measure your energy usage and will give you a more accurate and detailed reading that you can use to adapt your usage accordingly.

Cut down on water usage – Water is something many of us still take for granted and it can be so easy to waste hundreds of pounds a year if we’re not paying attention. So limit your shower times, only push for number twos and add an aerator to reduce splashing. Small things, but it will add up!