Four household hacks to save you money

Saving a buck or two isn’t always about putting money away to for a rainy day, sometimes it’s not about spending at all. And some of the best money saving hacks are simple. In fact, they’re sitting right under your nose; things you can do around the house to lower your expenses.  

1. The cleaning crew

 You don’t have to spend a fortune on cleaning supplies. Some of the best can actually be found in the groceries section of the supermarket. For example, need to get a nasty smell out of your dishwasher? Grab the vinegar out of the pantry, pop a cup of the vinegar in the dishwasher on the top rack and run it on the longest cycle. Good as new! 

Also, FYI, those lemons in your fruit basket are great for getting rid of the grime on your taps. 

Some other handy cleaning tips:

• Find out the grandkids have made your wall their art canvas? Take and old toothbrush and some toothpaste (not gel) and brush it over the marks. 
• Another alternative for marks on the walls or furniture is baking soda. 
• No need to purchase an aluminum scourer, just tear off some tin foil, scrunch it into a ball and voilà! Just remember to rinse the tin foil once you’re finished and put it into the recycling. 

2. Be water wise

Drought is a legitimate concern for almost all areas around Australia, no matter whether you’re a rural family or city-slicker. So, it’s really the responsibility of everyone to conserve water whenever  we can. An added bonus, of course, is that saving water saves money. According to the Australian Government, using water efficient products could save Australians more than $2 billion by 2030. That’s a lot of savings! The easiest way to do this is to install aerators on your faucets. These reduce water wastage by about four per cent. There are also dual flush triggers for your toilets so you can use the half-flush. And of course, don’t forget the appliances. All new appliances must include a water rating so choose wisely. 

3. Always clean the dryer

The lint filter should always be cleaned. Not only is it a safety hazard to have the build-up while using the dryer, but it’s also a lot less efficient, increasing your electricity bills. Depending on the buildup, you could be paying more than 75 per cent of what you should be, if only you’d remember to clean the filter.  

Alternatively, shun the dryer all together and use a good old fashioned clothes line, some fresh air and sunshine. 

4. Embrace your slow cooker