By Patrick Langston, All Things Home

Inflation continues to take a painful bite out of our household budgets, but there are lots of ways to save a little here and a little there, which can add up to a lot over time. Here are some easy-to-do tips for tackling those rising prices.

Labour and material costs for household repairs are on the rise. You can help control those costs through regular maintenance of your home and appliances by keeping gutters and window wells clean, testing the sump pump, maintaining the garage door and other DIY projects.

Be timeless instead of trendy

Always being on trend around the house can be tough on your bank account and your anxiety level as you struggle to keep your design and decor up to date. So, give your finances and your nerves a break while keeping your home looking fresh by going with a timeless approach, for example by sprinkling a little trendy black in your bathroom and mixing traditional and modern design elsewhere.

“When people do things that are trendy and it’s not who they are, they are the people who are constantly looking to make changes,” says Catherine Pulcine of CPI Interiors. “If you love what you have, then you won’t be inclined to change it.”

Waste is a big money gobbler in the kitchen. The average Canadian throws out more than $1,300 worth of spoiled or unused food every year, according to the National Zero Waste Council. Blame our busy lifestyles, our throwaway culture and other culprits; it all adds up to a lot of wasted money every year.

Canadian homes throw away about $150 every year by letting computers, stereos and other household electronic devices gobble up “standby power.” Unplugging these devices when not in use or attaching them to a power bar with an off switch keeps money in your pocket.

Create a naturalistic garden 

Naturalistic gardens, which typically include a mix of native perennials and grasses, are not only beautiful, they help reduce the need for maintenance and natural resources like water, thereby saving money, according to Cheryl Hammond-Hutcheson of Lavender & Twigs Garden Design.

“Naturalistic, sustainable plant design has seen a resurgence over the last few years … and we see it continuing during these challenging economic times.”

Reducing, reusing and recycling are also high on her must-do list. “Collect seeds as your plants mature to save money, compost dead materials to create your own organic fertilizer and reuse garden pots and other garden items to save both time and waste.”

More tips to reduce household expenses

Patrick Langston is a long-time journalist and co-founder of AllThingsHome.ca, Ottawa’s trusted resource for home buyers and homeowners.

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