1. Lights: Switch off the lights when you leave a room. Try to use LED lights—they're cheaper.
2. Heating: Try setting your thermostat 1 degree lower to save at least €100 each year. Wear warmer clothes, thick socks and slippers or cosy up underneath a blanket. Set your thermostat even lower when you leave home.
3. Dishwasher: Try to hand wash your dishes a little more often, especially if you have a smaller load. Fill the sink with warm, soapy water instead of running the tap.
4. Washing machine: Try to take advantage of your washing machine's size. Performing two smaller cycles will use more energy than a single larger cycle. As such, larger laundry loads will save you money. You can also wash at a lower temperature, and washing powder is typically less expensive than washing liquid. Vinegar is a natural alternative to fabric conditioners and are better for your washing machine to boot.
5. Dryer: Try air drying your laundry outside or use a drying rack. Depending on your tumble dryer's energy label and gas prices, using the tumble dryer function can cost up to €2.50 per load (source: Dutch National Institute for Family Finance Information).
6. Shower and bath: Having a shower is typically cheaper than a bath (source: Dutch National Institute for Family Finance Information). Turn the tap off while you wash your hair or brush your teeth until it's time to rinse.
7. Make your property more sustainable: upgrades like solar panels or heat pumps aside, you can start small by improving your property's isolation. Think draught seals, closing the curtains, placing foil behind radiators, etc.
"},"alignedImage":{"position":"left","transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/ec9f169a-d333-4646-8844-8098c58419c7/housemortgagemoneynopadding","original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/1267850440193a7e/original/housemortgagemoneynopadding.svg","extension":"svg"}},{"componentType":"paragraph","title":"Check your subscriptions and contracts:","richBody":{"value":"8. Double insurance or overinsurance: Use your direct debits to check which insurance policies you have. Then review the terms and conditions. It might be cheaper to switch!
9. Memberships, lotteries & subscriptions: See if you can cancel things like newspapers and magazines, which can be shared with neighbours or friends. And be honest to yourself about that gym membership—are you actually going? Put your gym contract's end date in your calendar so you'll know when you can cancel or renew your membership.
10. Phone & internet: Use secure Wi-Fi as much as possible. See if you can switch to a cheaper phone plan, or if you can change to a shared or family phone plan.
"},"alignedImage":{"position":"right","transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/e392387d-9693-4975-8a13-35fdcf427e35/Businessman-on-city-street-using-newspaper-as-protection-from-rain","altTextEN":"\"\"","altTextNL":"\"\"","altTextFR":"\"\"","altTextDE":"\"\"","original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/57a63623c65f6572/original/Businessman-on-city-street-using-newspaper-as-protection-from-rain.JPG","extension":"jpg"}},{"componentType":"paragraph","title":"Shop smarter:","richBody":{"value":"11. Buy or share: You may not need to buy anything at all. For example, you may be able to borrow a neighbour's power drill, try car sharing or clothes swapping. Take a look at sharing programmes.
12. Deals: Before you book a trip or stay, check for promotions and discounts. Visit the ING points store.
13. Second hand: Browse Marktplaats or Ticketswap for cheaper (and safe) ways to buy products and tickets.
14. Off-peak times: (Admission) tickets may be cheaper during off-peak times, so be sure to explore your options.
"},"alignedImage":{"position":"left","transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/c331da0c-9e15-4745-8f1f-0dbc1be438b9/Two-bare-chested-men-with-white-cream-on-their-faces-and-a-towel-around-their-neck","altTextEN":"\"\"","altTextNL":"\"\"","altTextFR":"\"\"","altTextDE":"\"\"","original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/17cdc1d381e99d52/original/Two-bare-chested-men-with-white-cream-on-their-faces-and-a-towel-around-their-neck.jpg","extension":"jpg"}},{"componentType":"paragraph","title":"Weekly food shop","richBody":{"value":"
15. Plan ahead and shop with intention. Don't go to the supermarket on an empty stomach—you'll often end up buying more.
16. Check what's on offer, make a list and try to stick to it.
17. Products displayed high or low on supermarket shelves are often cheaper.
18. Avoid pre-cut vegetables; they're more expensive. And buy seasonal produce.
19. It's relatively cheaper to buy in bulk. When you're preparing non-perishable foods, try making larger portions and freeze what you don't immediately need. This will save you time and money!
20. Bring your own drinks and snacks. That way, you won't have to buy anything to go or from the canteen.
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