Kitchen habits that are costing you money

There are always small ways to save around the home, but your kitchen is one of the biggest culprits when it comes to wasting money.

Here are 7 ways that you may be increasing your bills without realising it.

Overfilling your kettle

Boiling a kettle takes a lot of energy, so it’s pointless filling it to the top if you’re only making one cup of tea. The rest will go cold and be reheated next time. You can save a lot of time and money if you only boil what you need each time.  

Leaving your appliances plugged in

Even when your appliances are not being used, a small amount of energy is used up when it is plugged in. Get into the habit of unplugging your kettle, toaster, or coffee maker when not in use.  

Running your dishwasher half full

Make sure you dishwasher if full before you switch it on. It might be convenient to switch it on for just a few items, but it’s a huge waste of energy. To save extra money, switch off the heat-dry feature and let your dishes air dry instead. 

Buying single use supplies

Zip-top bags, cling wrap and paper towels may be handy but buying them adds up and there are alternatives.  Replace your paper towels with reusable cloths and invest in reusable containers rather than single use plastic.  You can also use beeswax wraps or silicone bowl covers rather than plastic wrap.

Over or under filling your fridge

Aim to keep your fridge around three quarters full. If it is bursting at the seams, it could block air vents, making your fridge work harder. On the other hand, as the already-cold items in your fridge help to keep the temperature steady, if it isn’t full enough, it will use more energy to keep itself cold.  

Opening your fridge too much 

If you have teenagers who are constantly opening the fridge and staring at the contents for something to eat, tell them to stop! Standing in front of your fridge with the door open is never a great idea. The temperature inside will go up and your fridge will have to use more energy to get back to the pre-set level.  

Buying for one meal at a time

Buying for one meal at a time is a very costly habit. It’s rare that you can buy the exact amounts you need, and then food is going to waste if you do not have a plan. The best thing to do is meal plan for the week and use everything you buy (or as much of it as you can). This also means you can buy in bulk, which is usually cheaper; just remember to check the use-by dates to make sure you will use them before they spoil (or make sure you have room in your freezer).  

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