When you are getting out of debt, no budget line is sacred. To free up every available dollar to put towards debt, sometimes ruthless cuts are necessary. You can bring lunch to work every day and choose public transit over driving, but there are some expenses that are unavoidable.
Household cleaning costs are one such area that is an absolute necessity. With that in mind, here are some ideas to help you save money while cleaning the house. If you play your cards right, they may also free up some extra time to help you get more out of your soon-to-be debt-free life.
Budget Household Cleaning Products
If you look under the sink of most households, there are at least 6-8 bottles of different types of cleaning products. Individually they’re not very expensive, but when you lump them together, it can get pretty pricey to keep the house clean. There are many things that are probably already in your house that can be used to clean it, and most of them are non-toxic too:
White Vinegar: It really is the wonder tool around the house. White vinegar can work to unclog drains, clean up discoloured grout, and disinfect counters and table tops. It even does windows!
Table Salt: Table salt is a food-safe scrub for even your most stained pots and pans. It also has enough grit to serve as a gentle abrasive to help scrub away cooking debris.
Baking Soda: It’s nature’s deodorizer. Most people know the trick of keeping baking soda in the fridge to reduce odour, but did you know it can also work to make garbage cans and litter boxes smell fresh?
A little creativity around the house can go a long way to help you have extra money to put toward debt each month.
Maximize Efficiency
Have you ever tossed a single item into the washing machine in the middle of the day because you wanted to wear it the next day? The days of frivolous washing habits like that are over! Choosing to run major appliances like washing machines and dishwashers only when they’re full, and only at off-peak times, does more than just protect the planet. It helps you to save money too!
Sometimes, getting out of debt is less about getting more money than it is about doing more with what you have. If you’re struggling with debt, we can help; whether it’s with credit counselling, consumer proposals or filing for bankruptcy. The first step is to contact us for a confidential consultation.
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