A common saying is that spending money is a part of making money, and it’s very true. In many cases, money well spent could also lead to money well saved. Setting money aside has always been a good idea for future plans. This has become clearer than ever during these current times of unprecedented and unpredictable changes caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. By making smart, cost-effective purchases, you could end up saving more money for the future. Here are ten items you should shop around for and purchase to save money in the long run.
1. Energy Plans and Efficient Appliances
In Ireland, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) reports that the average Irish household uses an approximate total of 11,000 kW/h of gas and 4,200 kW/h of electricity each year. These averages reflect a standard home with three bedrooms that utilizes both electricity and gas. Energy consumption and the total electricity bill can vary depending on your home’s size, the number of residents in the house, and the home’s energy efficiency.
To decrease energy consumption and reduce your electricity bill, consider getting energy-efficient dishwashers, washers and dryers, refrigerators, and other appliances. Homeowners who wish to reduce their energy costs should also consider changing their electricity providers.
Using web resources, homeowners in Ireland can shop around and compare electricity in Northern Ireland. Regular comparisons of your electricity bills at least once each year can help you determine if you’re on the best possible electricity deal. Switching electric suppliers can be an easy process in which your supply remains uninterrupted. Wherever you are in the world, whether you’re in Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom, or the United States, take note of your electric bills and energy supplier to see if this is an area where you may be able to save.
2. A New Shower Head
Energy-efficient shower heads are devices that can conserve energy in households. Showers contribute significantly to household energy use and residential water use. To use less water and save money on your water bill, consider purchasing an energy-efficient showerhead.
Call on professional services for showerhead installation, as well as a complete bathroom upgrade. A professional home remodeling company of experts can redo your bathroom in a way that not only makes it more efficient but also enhances its feel and look. It’s generally more convenient and cost-effective to harness a local company’s expertise rather than one outside of your community. Homeowners in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, for instance, should search for and consult a Bethlehem bathroom remodeling company, such as Master’s Home Solutions, to complete high-quality remodeling jobs. With Better Business Bureau (BBB) accreditation and the skills of highly trained craftspeople, you can trust this company to provide the best bath products, walk-in tubs, window replacements, custom door replacements, and more services to enhance your home.
3. LED Bulbs
Investing in LED bulbs can be another solution to reducing energy use and saving money. Some LED light bulbs cost more than regular bulbs, but using LED bulbs can result in substantial savings over time. You’ll spend less on electric bills and will end up buying new bulbs a lot less often.
4. Slow Cookers and Pressure Cookers
A slow cooker or pressure cooker can ultimately save you money because it can enable you to make convenient meals at home. This way, you’re saving money by eating out less, reducing the temptation to do so, and buying more beneficial ingredients and less prepackaged food. These appliances don’t use much energy to operate, therefore reducing your household’s energy consumption.
5. Streaming Devices and Services
While many people still pay for cable, more streaming options than ever are available for avid TV watchers. A streaming device can provide consumers with unlimited TV shows and movies from streaming services. Streaming devices can cost anywhere from 30 to 40 dollars, which is likely lower than a household’s average cable bill. Shopping around for a streaming device and subscribing to streaming services is a great way to save you money while providing entertainment.
6. Surge Protectors
Electronics can be costly, depending on the brand. For this reason, a surge protector can be a good investment. A surge protector can prevent your electronics from damage if a storm or electrical problems occur. You could shop for a one-outlet surge protector, surge protectors with more than one outlet, or a power strip that can double as a surge protector to protect all your devices. Such a purchase can save you money in the future by avoiding electrical damages.
7. Cellphone Protector
Purchasing a mobile case or two can help you keep one of your most significant, most used electronic devices safe: your cellphone. Mobile phones, especially smartphones, can withstand being dropped more than they could in the past. Still, phones are prone to screen damage when they fall. Having such damages repaired can be expensive. In some cases, a screen replacement can be more costly than the phone itself. A sturdy phone protector can save you time and money.
8. A Health and Dental Plan
Having health insurance and a dental plan is essential because insurance can cover you and your loved ones from unexpected medical events and damages. With health insurance, doctor visits, immunizations, blood tests, preventive care, and prescription drugs can become less expensive. Hospitalizations can cost as much as 1,000 dollars or more in the United States, but some health insurance plans can cover up to 80 or 90 percent of these costs once you reach the deductible. Usually, there may be a yearly maximum out-of-pocket amount that’s thousands of dollars. After surpassing this amount, the insurance generally pays 100 percent of the costs.
Prescription drugs can be costly, especially if there’s no generic option available. Some adults find it easier and more cost-effective to enhance their physical health through hormone supplements and other solutions. For example, some adults may use human growth hormone (HGH) supplements if they have a growth hormone deficiency. The best HGH supplements, containing ingredients such as L-Arginine, L Glutamine, and L Glycine, could help adults increase their bone density, muscle mass, and sports performance, and decrease body fat. Increased HGH — a hormone produced in the pituitary gland — can improve immune function, memory, energy, sexual health, function, and overall health.
A dental plan is crucial because oral health impacts total health. Dental plans can help you afford dental care costs, such as routine cleanings, fillings, emergency dental pain treatments, root canals, implants, retainers, and Invisalign clear aligners. These clear aligners provide alternatives to traditional braces an orthodontist would fit you with, for the best results in terms of straight teeth and a winning smile. Harnessing the skills and expertise of experienced dentists, orthodontists, and other dental professionals and having a dental plan covering Invisalign can be best thing you can do for a nicer smile, better bite, and better oral health.
9. A Dashcam and Insurance
Car accidents can result in bodily injuries and expensive costs regarding medical treatment and repairs for auto damage. Purchasing a dashcam can save you money if incidents occur, as dashcams record events that happen in front of your car, enabling you to show the police and your insurance company who was really at fault.
Having auto insurance can be beneficial, too, as this coverage, like other insurance types, provides personal injury protection and financial protection. Drivers in Australia should consider getting comprehensive auto insurance to cover necessary repairs and compulsory third party (CTP) insurance. The law requires CTP insurance for all vehicles across all Australian states and territories. This insurance cover provides compensation for accident-related injuries or fatalities of any third parties: other passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, and drivers. Car owners and drivers can use the Web for the CTP compare process of determining what kinds of CTP insurance policies are available in their state or territory and which one they should get. Having auto insurance will go a long way towards protecting you in the event of a car accident.
A Coffee Machine
Coffee drinkers could spend a lot of money in a year buying drinks everyday from Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts, or a local coffee shop. Consider purchasing a coffee machine for your household that allows you to save some money. Buying a bag of beans or instant coffee pods and cream or milk and brewing coffee at home each day can be more cost-effective than buying drinks of various sizes each day.
Shopping around and finding household and personal items that allow you to spend less can ultimately enable you to save more.
