Make your New Year’s Resolution a money saving one this year
KEEPING these simple new year’s resolutions is easy peasy– and it could save you pounds off your energy bills over the next year. Feel virtuous and have some more cash at the same time? It’s a new year’s no-brainer…In association with Smart Energy GB
MORE cheese? Another glass of wine? Just a couple more chocolates? The answer’s probably no if you’re feeling the after-effects of Christmas– a few extra pounds roundt he middle, maybe, or a fuzzy head from that festive punch at your neighbours’ party.
With 2019 about to dawn, many of us – almost half, to be exact – will be making new year’s resolutions.
Top of the list will be taking more exercise and eating more healthily, setting aside ‘me time’ and giving up alcohol or cigarettes.
So far, so good. But the harsh reality is that by mid January, most of us will have fallen off the wagon and slipped back into our old habits – spending too many hours on the sofa or at work, perhaps, or hitting the pub instead of going for a run.
In fact, the sad truth is that very few of us manage to keep our resolutions formore than a few months let alone a whole year.
Of course, we genuinely want to make changes in our lives and that is why we set ourselves these ambitious New Year goals. And sometimes we do get it right.
A survey of those who gave up alcohol for Dry January, for example, found that 79 per cent saved money, 62 per cent slept better and 49 per cent lost weight – so it really is win-win.
Psychologists say one of the strategies for staying on course is rewarding yourself when you hit your targets. You lost another 5lb after a tough week of calorie counting? Then treat yourself to a relaxing weekend at home watching that Killing Eve box set you never got round to.
It’s important to be kind to yourself rather than critical when you’re trying to keep your resolve.
Money has never been tighter for many of us, so finding ways to save it will be paramount in 2019. A common new year’s resolution is to make and stick to a budget.
What makes just as much sense is not wasting our hard earned money. Energy bills are a massive household cost. The average gas bill for a three or four-bedroom house is £572 a year, according to UK Power, while the average bill for a three or four bedroom house is £590 a year – a combined cost of £1,162.
Cutting that bill will free up money for savings or to spend on little luxuries. So why not make a resolution to get your energy bills down in 2019?
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Keeping it is easy so you get to feel virtuous and save money – it’s a win-win. Start by asking your energy provider to fit a smart meter to help you keep tabs on how much energy you use and what it costs.
You can actually see the usage go up when you boil the kettle, for example, so you’ll be surprised at what an incentive it is to turn appliances off or down when you don’t need them. And with a smart meter you won’t have to worry about estimated bills ever again.
For more information and how to get a smart meter installed, .
