Author: Lucy Akokotu

Are you tired of those hefty electricity bills that arrive each month? If so, you’re not alone. Many of us are seeking practical ways to lower electricity bill at home and reduce the financial burden that comes with it. And it’s not just electricity, we also want to save money on food and transportation. In today’s blog post, we’re going to explore a variety of methods to help you lower your electricity usage at home. So, if you’re ready to save money and reduce your carbon footprint, keep reading to discover how you can take control of your energy consumption and enjoy a more sustainable and cost-effective lifestyle.

Key Takeaways 

• Buying energy-saving appliances consume 9-25% less energy than less efficient ones, making them a wise investment.
• Even in standby mode, electronics consume energy. Be sure to switch off all appliances when not in use.
• Overcharging devices, like mobile phones and laptops, can increase electricity consumption. Turn off chargers when not in use.
• Opening the fridge frequently and placing hot food directly inside it can lead to increased energy consumption.

1. Turn off the lights

A simple habit of turning off the light when you are not using them or when leaving a room can make a difference in your bills at the end of the month. Replacing all your lights with LED bulbs is even better. Both can help you save a good amount on your monthly electricity costs.

2. Buy energy-saving appliances

Appliances like your freezer, washing machine, AC, and pressing iron consume roughly 13% of the total electricity used in the house. So, when next you want to replace your appliance, consider buying energy-efficient systems with five-star ratings. They consume 9-25% less energy than energy-guzzling ones with little or no ratings.

3. Unplug electricity from socket

Just because your electronics are on standby mode, doesn’t mean they don’t consume energy. Standby mode, also known as “phantom” or “vampire electricity” accounts for around 15% of your household electricity bill. Switch off all appliances when going to bed or leaving the house. Not only is it safer, but your pocket will thank you for it.

4. Stop charging devices for long

Charging your devices such as your mobile phone or laptop for long hours or keeping your chargers on, might increase your electricity bills. Always remember to turn off the chargers from the switch when not in use.

5. Don’t open the fridge too often

For every 10–20 seconds a fridge door is left open, it takes 45 minutes for it to recover lost gas. And don’t put hot food straight into the fridge or freezer. The fridge or freezer will have to draw more energy to cool it down.

Bottom Line

Sometimes, our electricity bills are high and it may be due to our daily habits. So, you might want to try some of these tips to reduce your electricity bill at home.

What other tips should be added to this list?

 

Everyone loves getting gifts, especially on Valentine’s Day – we know we do. But the real struggle is getting the right valentine day gift ideas so you can give your loved one, friend or colleague the perfect gift, to show how much we appreciate them.

Don’t forget yourself – oh yes. Show self-love, if you have no boo.

So, what gift(s) are you giving this year?

Please don’t say chocolates, flowers, and stuffed animals(emoji with the eyes rolling). Don’t you get tired of giving out the same cheesy gift every year? No need to panic if you are still stuck on the usual Valentine’s gifts.

10 Fantastic Valentine Gift Ideas Your Love Ones Would  Appreciate.

Gifts for Men

1. T-Shirt 

When in doubt, go for a classy T-Shirt to spice up his wardrobe. It literally can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. You are sure to win a smile from him.

2. Men Bracelet

Just so you know, men also love accessories. A durable hand band bracelet might just be what he needs to compliment his style.

3. Rechargeable Hair Clipper

There’s something about a clean-shaved man- even the beard gang needs a trim occasionally. With the rechargeable clipper, you get to take care of all his hair needs.

4. Wristwatch

You can never go wrong with a wristwatch as a gift. A quality wristwatch makes him look stylish and takes his fashion game to another level.

5. Money Transfer

We saved the best for the last. Use your NowNow app to either transfer money to his wallet, buy data or pay for a subscription for him. This is the best surprise ever.

Gifts for Her

1. Jewelry

“I have enough jewelry,” said no woman ever. You can never go wrong with gifting her either a wristwatch, necklace, ring or earring.

2. Wig

Getting a lady wig is always going to be a hit and never a miss-even the ladies who wear low cut hair. She will definitely remember your gift on days when she wants to look beautiful without the stress of going to the salon.

3. Handbag 

Ladies love to carry handbags-small or big. Pay attention to the usual size she loves to carry and you are good to go.

4. Massage 

A massage is a guaranteed winner all year round. Use your NowNow app and pay for a relaxing session at the spa. You can even book a couples massage, to make the experience memorable.

5. Money Transfer

Nothing says I love you to a woman than a money alert. Use your NowNow app to either transfer money, buy data or pay for a subscription for her. All three will blow her mind.

There you have it.

Bottom Line

You can’t go wrong with any of these gift ideas to surprise that special someone or treat yourself special this Valentine’s Day. You can start preparing early but taking advantage of  the Christmas discount run by businesses during the holiday to get the most bargain. 

 

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) report in December 2022, places food inflation at 23.75 percent. The cost of food prices is persistently going high.  This means you will need to employ smart shopping strategies to save money on groceries- especially if your paycheck (probably) remains the same.   

If you want to achieve your financial resolutions in 2023, you might want to cut down on how much you spend on groceries. Here are some tips to help you save money on foodstuff

1. Cut Out What You Can

Stocking varieties that do almost the same thing makes you spend more. 

Instead of stocking margarine, jam, peanut butter and so on, reduce it to one or two options. The same thing goes for drinks. Cut down on carbonated drinks, processed juices, and beer. Instead drink more water. With the shockingly high prices of foodstuff, now might be the best time to figure out what you can cut off completely.

2. Don’t Go Shopping Without A List

Now is not the time to go shopping without a list. Take inventory of what is in your fridge or storeroom before heading out to go shopping. Write a list of what you need to buy, the quantity and stick to your list when you go shopping.

3. Buy In Bulk When You Find Deals

Once you come across items like meat, fish, egg or foodstuff on discounts, don’t hesitate to buy in bulk. For instance, if you love eating rice, then it makes sense to buy a bag of rice. Just remember to be careful to only stock up on non-perishable items or those that you can refrigerate 

4. Shop on a Budget 

When shopping for groceries, it’s important to have a list. To help you stick to your budget, use a debit card like the NowNow debit card, which allows you to set a transaction limit on how much you can spend. This way, you won’t go overboard with your spending.

5. Consider Cooking With Groceries in Season 

Most food items have a season. For example, if you buy plantain when it’s in season, it will be cheaper and you can make different meal recipes from it. The same thing goes for vegetables and fruits.

6. Switch Brands

Big brands are good but most times they cost more. Instead of buying the known names for condiments or other ingredients, buy generic names. This also applies to shopping in big supermarkets that are not pocket friendly, except they offer discounts and cashback. Rather, stick to local markets or stores that can give you the most out of your money.

7. Don’t Shop On An Empty Stomach 

This is very great advice. Eating before going to buy food will reduce the tendency to buy on impulse or buy things that you do not need. 

Finally, doing a single one of these tips may not help you save much but making deliberate changes to what you eat, how and where you shop for groceries, can help you save money on groceries and attain your financial resolutions.