The Lazy Woman’s Guide to Slashing Utility Bills

Listen, we all want lower utility bills. We dream of cutting costs, making our homes more efficient, and keeping that hard-earned cash in our pockets. But if the solution involves a complicated spreadsheet, daily meter readings, or wearing six jumpers indoors like some sort of Victorian ghost, count me out.

If you've ever thought, I want to save money, but I also want to be comfy and put in minimal effort, then you, my friend, are in the right place. Welcome to The Lazy Woman’s Guide to Slashing Utility Bills—a cheat sheet for the woman who wants results without turning into some kind of off-grid, candle-lit survivalist.

You wouldn’t buy 15 loaves of bread, eat two slices, and chuck the rest in the bin. So why are we all essentially doing the same thing with our energy? Most of us are haemorrhaging money every single day—leaving gadgets on standby, heating rooms no one’s using, and washing clothes at temperatures that could cook a Sunday roast.

Good news: cutting waste doesn’t mean cutting comfort. It just means tweaking things slightly so you’re not pouring money down the drain—literally, in the case of hot water. Small changes, zero effort.

No one wants to spend all winter shivering under a blanket fortress, but let’s be honest—heating bills are a daylight robbery situation. Instead of cranking up the thermostat every five minutes, here’s a radical idea: make your house do the hard work instead.

Thermal curtains, draught excluders, and thick rugs all help keep the warmth where you actually want it—inside. If you’ve got radiators, don’t let them waste their magic by heating up the back of a sofa or a curtain. Give them space to do their thing. Oh, and if you’re not already using thermal cooking, you’re literally throwing money away every time you cook dinner. It keeps food cooking after you turn off the heat—like a slow cooker, but without the slow-cooker guilt of planning meals five hours in advance.

If your washing machine is set to some unnecessarily high heat like you’re trying to disinfect hospital sheets, it’s time for a rethink. Modern detergents work just as well at 30°C, and your clothes will still come out fresh, minus the eye-watering energy cost. Same goes for dishwashers—if your plates aren’t caked in last week’s lasagne, that eco-setting isn’t just for show.

Tumble dryers? They are not your friend. Your wallet will thank you if you start air-drying things instead. And before you say, But I don’t have space!—there’s always a way. Over-the-door racks, retractable washing lines, or just getting creative with furniture (because let’s be honest, a strategically placed chair can double as an excellent drying station).

Nothing says luxury like a long, steamy shower, but have you ever considered the fact that you’re literally paying for hot water to pour down the drain? A minute less in the shower might not seem like much, but over a month, it’s the difference between having extra cash for a treat or handing it over to the energy companies for no reason.

If you’ve got a water meter, small changes like swapping out your showerhead for a water-saving one can be an absolute game-changer. And while we’re at it—if you’re still running hot taps for ages just to get warm water flowing, try keeping a jug in the kitchen to collect that "waiting time" water for plants or cleaning. Look at you, saving money and being an eco-hero at the same time.

Did you know some of us are paying extra for electricity just because we’re using it at the wrong time? If your provider offers off-peak rates (or even a smart meter that tells you when electricity is cheaper), it’s worth tweaking your routine. Running the washing machine, charging your gadgets, or even cooking dinner slightly earlier or later could mean paying less for exactly the same thing.

And let’s talk about lights. Yes, we know to turn them off when leaving a room—but have you actually switched to LEDs yet? Because if not, you’re basically burning money every time you flick a switch. They last longer, use a fraction of the power, and cost peanuts to run. No-brainer.

Think about it. Every pound you don’t send to the energy company is a pound you can put toward something better. A treat for yourself, a day out, a little extra in the rainy-day fund. The point isn’t to make life harder, but to make it smarter.

And if you want more easy, stress-free ways to stretch your cash even further? Come join us in The Crofties. We’re all about making money work for you, not the other way around. Because saving money shouldn’t feel like a second job—it should feel like winning.