Budgeting

5 Tips to Cut Your Bills in Half in 2017

Sometimes it seems so difficult to get ahead. Trying to stash away some cash for a rainy day is difficult when even the essentials in life are more and more expensive with every passing year. Here are 5 tips to cut your bills in half that won’t make you feel deprived, but will allow you to have more financial freedom in the long run.

1. Install Solar Panels on Your Home.

Right now the Australian government is offering a National Solar credits scheme. These rebates offer significant discounts for solar panel installation. Using solar panels can dramatically cut your basic utility costs.

2. Cut Power to Unused Appliances

The acquisition of more and more appliances and gadgets that continually use electrical power has gradually snuck up on many individuals. Laptops, tablets, smart phones, TVs and DVDs, microwaves and many other electrical devices use power when plugged in, even when no one is using them. Although one or two devices might not pull much power, collectively they will make a noticeable increase in your electrical bill. Try putting as many as possible on a smart power board to eliminate the standby power drain of many appliances.

3. Use an Energy Comparison Website

If you’re wondering if you are getting the best deal with your current electrical company, there is a website which allows you to see how your company rates compare with others. Go to yourenergy.nsw.gov.au and use their free tool to find out if you can find better rates for your utility bills.

4. Consider Buying Energy-Efficient Appliances

Companies are continually striving to make advances in the area of energy-efficiency for their various appliances. Even appliances purchased just 15 years ago might be much more of a drain of resources like electricity and water than new models. If you have been procrastinating about buying a new appliance because you don’t want to spend the extra money, with a new energy-efficient unit you might save enough in energy costs to recoup the appliance cost in a fairly short period of time. Be sure to look for the higher star energy-rating label on any new appliances.

5. Consider a Debt Consolidation Plan

If you have a multitude of loans and find yourself missing a payment or two now and then because of simple forgetfulness, it might be worth your while to consider obtaining a debt consolidation loan. All it takes is a late fee here and there and before you know it, you’re paying a lot more for loans than you have to.

Consolidating your debt into one personal loan means you only have to remember to pay one loan every month. For more information please contact us.