Breaking a bad habit often requires finding the right motivation to be able to truly change our behavior. Motivation comes in many different forms, and it varies from person to person. One person may decide to break a bad habit because they want to be healthy, while another may change because of a desire for personal growth. But if there’s one thing that can motivate almost anyone to change, it’s desire Save money!
That’s what today’s post is all about – breaking bad habits around the house to save money. Because the unfortunate truth about these common behaviors is that they can all cost you money over time. They could be spending your money as we speak! So if you’re guilty of any of these 11 bad household habits, it might be time to break them for the sake of your budget!
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m personally guilty of some of these bad habits! But by making ourselves aware of small actions that have unintended financial consequences, we can change those actions and start saving money! 🙂
11 Bad Habits Around the House That Are Costing You Money
1. Yanking cords to unplug them
Yanking the cord to unplug it may save you a couple of seconds, but it could cost you a lot of money! Tugging and yanking on cords can cause all kinds of damage, such as bending the plug, breaking the wire, splitting the cord, or even cracking the outlet itself.
Instead, just go to the wall and gently pull the cord out through the plug. It only takes a few more seconds, and it can save both your plug-in appliance and your wall outlets!
2. Flushing cleaning wipes
When in doubt, don’t flush anything you’re not sure you should! Because while toilet paper is designed to break down quickly after being flushed, baby wipes and household cleaning wipes are made from woven fibers that don’t break down that way. This can lead to clogs in your home or even your own plumbing system Affects the entire sewer system of your municipality.
Instead, throw all the wipes in the trash! This is the easiest way to avoid costly plumbing problems.
3. Overfilling (or underfilling) your fridge or freezer
Both work best when your fridge and freezer are about three-quarters full. A jam-packed fridge or freezer may have objects blocking the air vents, resulting in poor air circulation. At the other end of the spectrum, a bare fridge or freezer requires more energy to keep everything cold, and that will show up on your electric bill.
To avoid these problems, keep your fridge and freezer stocked as often as you can. (Noticing your fridge or freezer looking a little empty? Put in a few jugs of water to take up that extra space!)
4. Running a half-empty load of dishes
Your dishwasher uses just as much water and energy washing half-empty dishes as it does a full load. So you can get the most value for your money by only running a full load of recipes. If you have some dishes you want to clean, just wash them by hand to save money and energy.
5. Leaving spills in your oven
Grease splatters, drips, and other food spills can be inevitable when cooking in the oven. But it’s important to clean up those spills and splatters as soon as the oven cools down. Leaving a greasy mess on the bottom of your oven can lead to odd-tasting food, bad odors, or discoloration inside the oven.
In addition to cleaning up spills as soon as possible, be sure to clean the inside of your oven every few months or so. Check out the link below to learn my favorite method for cleaning the interior of your oven.
Related: How to clean your oven while you sleep
6. Failure to tighten your car’s gas cap
First, running around with a loose gas cap will harm the environment, as it allows vapors to escape into the atmosphere. Second, most newer models will warn you of a loose gas cap by displaying a “check engine” light. If you don’t know the gas cap is the problem, this can send you to the car repair shop for an expensive (and unnecessary) diagnosis.
7. Front door slamming
It turns out that mom warned you to close the door gently! Closing your front door frequently can cause the door to move out of alignment, leading to drafts, air gaps and potentially higher utility bills. If your door slamming habit is due to the weight of the door in question, consider installing one Close to the door To help remind you to let the door work.
8. Allowing dryer lint to accumulate
According to the US Fire AdministrationAbout 2,900 clothes dryer fires occur each year, causing injuries, deaths and an estimated $35 million in property damage. And one of the leading causes of dryer fires is failure to clean lint traps regularly!
Make it a habit to clean your lint trap before or after each use. Additionally, you should vacuum out where the lint trap sits every 90 days. This will keep it clear on an ongoing basis, but if your dryer vent is already clogged, you may want to call a dryer technician to clean it properly.
9. Forgetting to change filters
Many appliances have filters that need to be kept clean, such as your HVAC system, your range hood, personal air filters, and your vacuum cleaner. These devices cannot run efficiently with dirty filters, so it is important to replace or clean them regularly! Most filters are designed to be easy to remove, clean or replace. An easy way to remember HVAC filters is to replace them when the electric bill comes due!
10. Taking long, steamy showers
Long, hot showers not only strip your skin of moisture, but they can also contribute to water damage in your bathroom. Make sure your bathroom fan is working properly to remove moisture from the bathroom, and keep it running during your shower and for about 20-30 minutes after your shower. And limit your showers to about 5 minutes to avoid overtaxing your water heater.
11. Wearing shoes at home
Want to keep your floors clean? The easiest way to do that is to establish a “no shoes in the house” rule! Dirty shoe soles can spread dust, allergens and bacteria throughout your home. They can also scratch floors and track dirt, and the solution to all these problems is simple: take your shoes off at the door!
Have you ever had to kick a bad habit?
