Hey, friends! How’s everyone holding up? If you’re a busy mom juggling a million things—school drop-offs, soccer practice, grocery runs, and endless piles of laundry—you’re probably too swamped to think much about your electricity bill. But here’s the thing: those high bills don’t need to be part of your routine! With a few tweaks, you can save on your electric bill and a surprising amount of money without adding more chaos to your day.
When our family’s electricity bill started creeping up, I decided enough was enough. Between running a household and raising kids, we don’t have extra cash to waste. So, I dug deep, tested different strategies, and cut our bill by 50%! These nine tips are practical and perfect for busy families. Let’s dive in!
1. Unplug Devices When Not in Use
Let’s be real—life as a mom is hectic. You’re lucky if you remember to grab your coffee before it gets cold, let alone unplug your devices! But here’s a secret: those idle chargers and powered-off devices are quietly draining energy (and your wallet).
You’re wrangling three kids and charging everyone’s tablets for a road trip. The tripends;, the tablets sit unplugged for days, but the chargers stay in the wall. Sound familiar? That’s phantom power in action.
The Fix: Make it a habit to unplug everything that’s not in use—phone chargers, the blender, the toaster. For extra convenience, plug multiple items into a power strip with an on/off switch. One flip, and you’re done!
2. Charge Devices in the Car
Between school drop-offs and running errands, your car is basically a second home. Why not put it to work? Charge your phone or tablet while you drive.
You’re chauffeuring kids to piano lessons and soccer games, with barely a moment to breathe. Use this time to top up your phone’s battery—no extra energy costs at home!
3. Air-Dry Your Laundry
I get it—laundry feels never-ending, especially when you’ve got kids. The dryer might seem like a lifesaver, but it’s one of the biggest energy guzzlers in your home.
It’s Saturday morning, and the kids’ soccer uniforms and your work blouse are all in the wash. You throw everything in the dryer, but the bill skyrockets by the end of the month.
The Fix: On less frantic days, hang clothes to dry. A retractable line or folding rack can fit in even the tiniest spaces. For busy weeks, consider drying half the load to soften it, then air-dry the rest to cut down on dryer time.
4. Be Dryer Smart
Sometimes, especially when your day is busy, you can’t avoid using the dryer. But small changes can make a big difference.
It’s Sunday night, and the kids’ school clothes are still damp because you forgot to dry them earlier. You hastily place them in the dryer.
The Fix: Make the dryer work smarter, not harder. Dry full (but not overloaded) loads, clean the lint trap after every cycle, and shake out clothes before putting them in. Bonus: Wash with cold water whenever possible to save even more energy.
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5. Switch to Energy-Saving Light Bulbs
Busy moms need simplicity, and switching to LED bulbs is one of the easiest, most cost-effective changes you can make.
You’ve got lights on in the living room, kitchen, and every bedroom while juggling homework, dinner, and bedtime routines. You’re using a significant amount of energy simultaneously.
The Fix: LED bulbs use less electricity and last much longer. Sure, they’re a bit pricier upfront, but the savings on your electric bill are well worth it.
6. Use Natural Light
Have you ever felt as though you’re living in a cave due to the constant closure of your blinds? Open those windows and let the sunshine in!
It’s a typical Monday morning—breakfast chaos in the kitchen and an endless search for matching socks. Despite the sunny weather outside, the overhead lights are blazing brightly.
The Fix: Make it a habit to open the blinds first thing in the morning. Natural light not only conserves energy but also enhances everyone’s mood, resulting in a mutually beneficial outcome.
7. Practice Kitchen Efficiency
The kitchen is the heart of the home—and one of the most energy-intensive places. Small changes can save big.
You’ve cooked dinner, packed lunches, and baked cupcakes for tomorrow’s school event. The oven and fridge are working overtime.
The Fix:
- Let leftovers cool before putting them in the fridge to avoid overworking it.
- Minimise how often you open the fridge or oven door.
- Hand-wash dishes during the week to skip the dishwasher cycle.
Pro Tip: Set your refrigerator and freezer to the manufacturer-recommended temperatures for maximum efficiency.
8. Adjust Your A/C and Heater Settings
Heating and cooling eat up a significant chunk of your electric bill. Changing your settings can make a noticeable difference.
It’s the middle of summer, and the kids keep cranking the A/C to “Arctic blast” mode after playing outside. Meanwhile, in winter, everyone’s cranking up the heater because they refuse to wear socks indoors.
The Fix: Keep your thermostat at moderate settings: around 78°F (25°C) in summer and 68°F (20°C) in winter. Use fans to circulate air, and dress for the season to reduce reliance on heating and cooling.
9. Shower Smarts
Who doesn’t love a relaxing shower after a long day? But daily hot showers add up.
After wrestling with bedtime routines and an endless to-do list, you finally step into the shower for a much-needed moment of peace… You realise you’ve been in the shower for 20 minutes.
The Fix: Treat yourself to a long shower occasionally, but aim for quicker ones during the week. Bonus: Switch to a low-flow showerhead to save both water and energy.
Why These Tips Work for Busy Moms
The beauty of these strategies is that they fit seamlessly into your daily routine. You don’t need hours of free time or a huge budget—just a few small adjustments that lead to big savings.
Imagine what you could do with the extra cash:
- Treat yourself to a spa day.
- Start a vacation fund.
- Cover unexpected expenses without stress.
Share Your Energy-Saving Wins!
Have you tried any of these tips? Do you have your own hacks for lowering your electric bill? Share them in the comments—I’d love to hear what works for you!
And hey, don’t forget to pin this post for later. Follow me on Pinterest for more frugal living and money-saving ideas!
Until next time,
Kalpana 😊