Many households have been hit hard with the recent cost of living increases. Energy bills and other utilities have gone up. National insurance, food and mortgage interest rates have all come together to create the perfect storm.

According to research, worrying about finances is the number one cause of concern at the moment adding stress on homes, relationships, families and jobs, up and down the country. 

But there are things we can all do to lessen the impact of these rising prices and help our budgets stretch further. 

More practically, there’s loads we can all do at home to limit the amount of energy we use. Check your home is as insulated as possible and explore the cost vs. savings of increasing insulation. Many suppliers have sales during the summer when most people are not thinking about the upcoming winter. Ask your supplier for a smart meter to monitor your usage more easily. Make sure your radiators are clear or obstructions, so when you need them you get the most benefit. Contact your water supplier for often free devices and ideas to reduce your water consumption if you’re on a meter.

Savings can often be made by combing packages or reducing the HD or number of devices you use to access them. Carefully consider what you use each package for and experiment whether it might be better to rent films or even buy movies or boxsets at charity shops, high street or online trading stores. If you don’t already have one, you could set up swap shops at work or start communities to share and discuss your favourite films and TV. It’s a great way to cement that all-important work-life balance and a terrific way to make new friends and contacts.

The great news is that CSSC have frozen their subscription fees at just £4.99 a month, until at least 2026. At only 17p a day, or less if you’re drawing a pension, members regularly save over £150 a year on just their weekly grocery shopping with CSSC savings. Add on the occasional treat, home improvement or just everyday essentials like clothes and cosmetics and some members save over £1,000 every year. We’ve got loads of ways you might be able to save on household bills, including, phone and broadband tariffs, home, travel, pet, tech and life insurance and many others. But with CSSC it’s not only about the huge savings, it’s so much more than that. 

It’s the connection members make with others, with their loved ones and with their colleagues. The exclusive events, activities and outlets it provides to help meet other people, to share hobbies, passions, pastimes and frustrations. It gives members inspiration and opportunities to get out and about to explore, get back to nature, discover new adventures and de-stress from daily life and sleepless nights.  

Instead of cancelling subscriptions and Direct Debits to gyms, classes and things that make you feel better, just carefully consider what you get from them. If half an hour exercising helps relieve stress and keeps you performing well in the office by taking your mind off current events, it may be worth the outlay. Instead, you may want to look for ways to save on gym memberships like our discounted offers with no joining fees. Think about what you do at the gym or fitness studio and whether there are some free apps to participate in classes and exercises at home like CSSC life, which is free to all CSSC members and includes loads of content, tips, expert advice, recipes and classes for beginners through to experts.

There are loads of other ways to save money while still doing the things you love. FREE days out to historic sites can be a wonderful way to not only save money at the weekend, but they provide a great opportunity to get exercise, spend time with loved ones, educate youngsters (and oldsters), discover new hobbies, take screen breaks, and improve your mental health and wellbeing. With over 800 sites across the country from Historic Scotland, Cadw, English Heritage and Kew Gardens, there’s usually several venues within easy reach of most towns, helping to reduce travel expenses.