Ways to reduce your cost of living from Right at Home Borehamwood

Ways to reduce your cost of living from Right at Home Borehamwood

What is the cost of living?

The cost of living is the amount of money we need to cover everyday expenses. Inflation is currently at 40 years high of 9.4% and expected to rise again by end of year. Rising inflation is causing prices of everyday items to increase faster than the general population’s wages and salaries. Things such as groceries, household bills and fuel prices will increase making it harder for people to afford essentials. In jobs where driving is a necessity, such as homecare work, the cost of fuel is dramatically affecting people’s take-home earnings.

Here are ways to save money in Borehamwood.

Fuel efficiency

Fuel prices have reached an all-time high. As homecare workers, our petrol and diesel costs are already significantly higher than employees in other industries, the fuel price rises have simply added more strain

There are lots of ways we can reduce our fuel consumption while driving, helping you minimise the number of times you must refuel and save you money while fuel prices are at a record high

When it comes to refilling, find your cheapest fuel options in Borehamwood using PetrolPrices.com

Check your tyre pressure. Under inflated tyres increase vehicle drag, which increases fuel consumption. Tyres under inflated by 15psi can use 6% more fuel. Empty your boot / declutter your car ditch the roof rack when you’re not using it. The lighter your car is, the less fuel it will use. On average, every extra 50kg of weight will increase fuel consumption by 2%. Drive efficiently and stick to the speed limit, driving smoothly and changing gears early can reduce your fuel usage. Anticipate the road as far ahead as possible to avoid unnecessary braking and acceleration, avoid excessive speed. Be smart with your air con and window usage, when driving at low speeds, open your windows instead of using air conditioning. If driving at higher speeds, use the air con as the additional drag caused by open windows could use additional fuel.

Review your contracts, subscriptions & prescriptions

When money is tight, it’s important to review your outgoings and assess what is necessary.

• Prescriptions

o          If you are paying for multiple subscriptions a year, you could save money with an NHS Payment Prescription Certificate

o          This will allow you to get all your prescriptions for a set price

• TV

o          Are you paying for unnecessary channels, packages, or subscriptions you don’t use?

o          Can you haggle for a better price?

o          Can you lock in lower prices if you sign up to a year/2-year contract?

• Phone and broadband

o          Deals may sound good on the phone but it’s important to check them before signing up for anything to ensure you are happy with it

o          Don’t assume a bundle is cheaper

o          Fast is good but how fast do you need for your usage?

• Mobile phone

o          Are you using all the data, minutes, and texts you are paying for?

o          Could you find a cheaper deal?

• Aim for firm but non-combative, be polite
• Benchmark the top deals so you know a realistic figure to negotiate
• Don’t make rash decisions, take a moment to evaluate the deal you are being offered and decide if it is a better option

Be smart about your food shop and cooking

Plan out your weekly meals, including lunches, and check your cupboards before you update the shopping list. Set a budget for food shopping. Buy non-branded alternatives or buy from budget supermarkets. Cook in batches so your money is going further. Freeze the leftovers to come back to for lunches and meals when you are short on time. Consider a slow cooker - they can help you batch cook and are energy efficient. Limit the amount you eat out or buy lunch.

Assess how much you are currently spending on meals, food, and drinks out and try to reduce this by a couple of trips a month.

Monitor your energy usage at home

Energy bills are set to reach record highs this winter.

There are ways to reduce your household spending to limit your energy prices:

• Layer up and reduce the central heating temperature
• Get or set a timer to avoid heating your home when you aren’t there
• Check the hot water temperature setting on your boiler and reduce it
• Gas and electric - review your direct debits to make sure you haven’t overpaid
• Water - can you save money by getting a water meter? Without a water meter, your bill is based on “rateable value”. A water meter could save you money as you only pay for what you use

Review your credit & direct debits 

• Never let credit card bills go unpaid
• Try consolidation or moving existing credit card debt to a cheaper rate card
• This can simplify repayments and increase flexibility in payment options
• Stay up to date with your direct debit payments and cancel anything you don’t use
• Factor in paying into your savings account into your monthly budgets if you can. Even a small amount is better than nothing and it will help in the long term

Take advantage of rewards and discounts in Borehamwood 

• There are lots of reward schemes and discounts you can take advantage of that will help you save money during the cost-of-living crisis
• Honey and Pouch are browser extensions (internet add ons) that work by finding coupons automatically and applying them at more than 21,000 retailers
• Top Cashback gains you a percentage of what you pay back as a reward when you shop via their site
• Airtime Rewards links to your bank account and automatically tracks your spending at over 100 retailers and gives you 1% to 10% cashback at them to redeem against your mobile bill
• Blue Light Card provides those in the NHS, emergency services, social care sector and armed forces with discounts online and in store. If you are a Right at Home CareGiver, you can sign up using your payslip

How Right at Home Borehamwood is supporting our CareGivers with cost-of-living increases

Right at Home pay at least National Living Wage and 35 pence per mile to cover fuel price increases. Right at Home offices have written to local MPs to call on them to introduce a fuel subsidy and increase the care workers' 45p/m tax relief. Jessica Morden MP for Cardiff and Newport raised the issue in Parliament after receiving her letter. A Right at Home CareGiver for Basingstoke spoke in front of the Health and Social Care Select Committee to discuss how the cost-of-living crisis is affecting CareGivers. Our CEO Lucy Campbell has met with her local MP to campaign for change.

Join the Team

If you are looking for an employer that will support you with increased living costs and campaign for change, check Right at Home Borehamwood vacancies today.

If you are looking for a well-paid and flexible job, with great benefits, get in touch with our friendly Borehamwood based team today.

https://www.rightathome.co.uk/borehamwood/available-opportunities/