by Eleanor O'Donnell

Created on: June 03, 2009   Last Updated: February 19, 2010

Working out how to cut down on your living expenses can be confusing and time-consuming. But by putting in the effort in the short term, you should hopefully see substantial long term savings in time that will make the effort all worthwhile.

One of the biggest living expenses every household has is their grocery bill, so it's one of the best bills to start with. The first thing to do in considering how to bring the cost of this down, is to look in your kitchen and make note of everything that you know you are likely to waste that week. Half a lettuce here, a loaf of bread there; it all adds up to a considerable sum during the course of a year. The first things to go from your weekly grocery shop should be the things you are likely to waste. Either purchase them in smaller quantities, or remove them from your list completely.  Often we purchase large quantities of things purely because the price per kilo is lower than it is for the small jar or packet, but obviously that isn't cost effective to do if you're not going to use all of the larger quantity.

The next step is to see where you can reduce costs by purchasing cheaper brands. It can be difficult to really read all of your brand options when you're physically standing in a shop, so try doing this on the internet if possible. Make a list of all the things you usually buy, then search for cheaper alternatives using a supermarket website or a price comparison website.  You don't have to order online, just use the internet to check your prices.

Household cleaning products and toiletries are a big living expensive for many, but they really don't need to be. A lot of the supermarkets offer value brand cleaning products that are just as effective at cleaning as the top brands charging three times the price are. You don't need a different product for cleaning your cooker, sink, bath, floor, table and work surface with. You can use diluted white vinegar or bleach to effectively clean most things, with an antibacterial spray being a useful reassurance for use on work surfaces and tables.

Toiletries are easy to waste money on when you think in the short term, rather than considering the long term costs they entail. It might only be a little bit more expensive to buy your favourite shampoo and shower gel, but if you're seriously trying to cut back on your basic cost of living then you should be looking to buy the cheaper options. You can pick up toiletry basics at supermarkets and discount stores

• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next Page >>