Every item on this page was chosen by a Shondaland editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
10 Amazing Items That Will Save You Money at Home
Want to lower spending and boost efficiency in your life? Shondaland’s lifestyle editor picks his top gadgets, ingredients, and more to keep costs down.
In the Shondaland series Financially Fearless, we’re getting candid about how money impacts everyone’s lives. Our solutions will detail how to boost your financial wellbeing, trim overspending, craft a budget, and discuss money matters with loved ones.
When I was growing up, my grandmother had a little sign on the refrigerator with a one- word directive: Think. The prevailing theory was that every time that door opened, money came whooshing out in the form of cold air, so you should know exactly whether you’re grabbing the ketchup bottle or the iced tea pitcher. Nanny wasn’t wrong. Fortunately, we now have many more domestic tools at our disposal to lead more efficient lives and, in turn, save a few dollars in the process. Here are my top 10 favorite ways to save money at home.
I’m a coffeeholic, and it’s no secret that the markup on a good cup of joe is astronomical, so brewing coffee at home most mornings — or whenever the mood strikes — saves me dough. If you frequently drink coffee, it’s important to invest in a well-made brewer capable of heating water between 195 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit. (That’s the ideal temperature to brew good coffee, according to the National Coffee Association.) I recently splurged on a bright-yellow Moccamaster and haven’t regretted my decision.
Air-conditioning is one of the biggest consumers of energy in my household, and my Google Nest smart thermostat helps keep my electricity bill down by allowing me to schedule and control my AC whether I’m out on the patio or on the other side of the planet. I’m also a member of OhmConnect, a free energy-saving program that rewards users with gift cards, giveaways, and PayPal deposits by remote-controlling thermostats to lower temps at specific times of the day when the power grid is overworked.
A jug of white vinegar is perhaps the most multifaceted and miraculous tool you could have at your disposal at home. Besides the fermented liquid being employed to make a stellar base for salad dressings, it’s a powerful cleaner for many situations, mitigating the need for several different specialized cleaning products. There’s a myriad of ways to use this green, nontoxic ingredient in and outside your home, including washing windows, wiping out your pet’s ears, extending the life of cut flowers, gently killing weeds, and softening clothes in the dryer.
I replaced every light bulb I could in my home with GE’s Cync smart bulbs. Now, I can dim and schedule my lights to help lower electricity costs. I also use a few Cync smart plugs for other devices, such as a vintage lamp where smart bulbs won’t fit and my fridge. (Grandma would be so proud.) Honestly, LED lights aren’t huge power hogs, but I have noticed a slight difference in energy consumption when I deactivate everything. Plus, it makes me feel like I’m Captain Picard in Star Trek when I use voice commands to control a room’s illumination.
Another deterrent to energy costs, light-blocking curtains are great at trapping heat in during the winter and keeping light out during the summer. Depending which direction your windows face, this can make a substantial difference in your electricity bill. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, about 30 percent of heating energy is lost through windows. Bonus tip: I use automated curtain tracks so I can schedule the window treatments to open and close at the most opportune times of the day.
Philips Sonicare Electric Toothbrush
The logic on this one might be a stretch. However, considering gum disease treatments average from $500 to $10,000, I think following the American Dental Association’s recommendation to brush your teeth for at least two minutes two times a day could potentially save a wad of cash. I use Philips’ fancy-schmancy Sonicare DiamondClean brush. Frankly, any electric toothbrush with a two-minute timer will do the trick as long as you also remember to floss. Find the style you hate the least, and make that part of your morning and evening routines.
If you’re not strictly patronizing the fabulous indie perfumers out there, purchasing a well-known fragrance can be an expensive endeavor. Enter MicroPerfumes, which sells rebottled popular perfumes and colognes — from Le Labo to Louis Vuitton — in small, travel-friendly containers. Unfortunately, you won’t receive a work-of-art bottle unless you spring for the regular size, but I personally dig the ability to circumvent TSA’s liquid rule with lipstick-size spray bottles and try different scents without paying big bucks.
During the pandemic, like many people, I became obsessed with plants. Among my many gardening projects, I started a small herb garden and quickly regretted not doing it sooner when a pot of chives sprang to life (and eventually onto my baked potatoes). You don’t actually need much of a green thumb to keep stuff like mint, parsley, and basil alive. They come in clutch to take that cup of tea, pot of tomato sauce, or bowl of soup to the next level for little investment.
While they’re not inexpensive, essential oils often inspire me to abstain from springing for high-end candles, diffusers, cleaners, and bath products. They can also be used for a host of culinary and medicinal purposes. When I’m feeling crafty, I’ve created candles, soaps, and scrubs with essential oils that are usually way stronger than anything I could procure from a store. (For instance, make your own citronella candles if you truly want to deter bugs.) I recommend tea tree, lavender, and eucalyptus for those dipping into essential oils for the first time.
This is so basic that I can’t believe I’m including it on the list. Every time I go to the grocery store, I still see several people ahead of me in line paying 10 cents for a single-use plastic bag (and bringing more than 15 items into the express lane, but don’t get me started on that). It’s a total waste of money, and it’s bad for the environment. Everyone, please stash a bunch of reusable bags in your trunk, mudroom, garage, under your hat, or wherever as a personal reminder to stop plastic bag use.
Derrik J. Lang is Shondaland’s Lifestyle Editor. Follow him on Twitter @derrikjlang.
Get Shondaland directly in your inbox: SUBSCRIBE TODAY
Watch Next
Head Turners: Meet Ceramist Lalese Stamps
Head Turners: Meet Firefighter Clare Frank
Bounce Back: Moving On After Career Setbacks
Head Turners: Meet Ambassador Michelle Kwan
