Any household’s expenses comprise essential items such
as monthly rent/mortgage payments, energy bills, food, etc. Some of these
spending areas are fixed – that is, they can’t be restricted –
while others are elastic, meaning they leave some room for saving. When we try
to make a budget we have to focus on elastic expenses.
One such expense, although we incorrectly often think of it as fixed rather
than elastic, is clothing. Here are five simple ways to save on this spending
area.
Think long
term when you buy One of the main reasons why people spend too much on clothing is because
of impulse shopping. They do not think about their needs: they purchase
according to their immediate desire when they walk by something nice. The first
step towards saving money on clothing is to stop buying just because you feel
like it: buy clothes when you need them. It is worth buying more
expensive clothes rather than cheaper ones. Indeed, if the price difference is
due to a better design and a higher overall quality, you ought to consider
paying it: these clothes will tend to last longer (unless you are just paying
for the brand). Another way to think long term is to purchase garments whose
design will not go out of fashion over the coming year - evaluate the lasting fashion potential of the pieces you covet.
Wash
according to the instructions People wash their clothes altogether, without paying attention to…
the washing instructions. Although it is easier and faster to just
put the whole content of your drawers in your washing machine when you need to,
this way of washing your clothes can damage some of your garments which can be
sensitive to water temperature, washing cycle or colour mixes. By taking care
of washing your clothes according to their properties, you will maximize their
lifespan… and reduce your expenses.
Choose the
right machine Because washing machines are expensive, some people tend to buy the cheapest one on the market,
thinking that the lower upfront cost will translate into savings.
In fact, paying a little bit more is likely to
reduce your expenses in the long run: not only could the machine be less prone
to breakdowns, but is could also be more eco-friendly (like the Energy Star certified
products), which will result in lower energy costs every time you
do the laundry. Moreover, when your machine has a problem, you will probably be
more likely to haveyour appliance repaired by professionals instead of just buying another
cheap one.
…But minimize its use Here
is another reason why people spend too much money on their clothes: they wash
them too much. Most of the time, a pair of jeans or
a t-shirt is not dirty after it has been worn only once. Wearing your clothes
twice before washing them (when possible and hygienic) will not only reduce
your energy and cleaning products bills: it will also prolong your clothes
lifespan since washing contributes to their attrition and colour fade. Obviously this tip does not apply to socks and
underwear - to clarify...
Dry less Dryers do not only entail energy costs, but the high
temperatures at which they function can also cause severe damage to some
fabrics, accelerate the attrition of others and make some garments shrink. That
is why you ought to avoid drying your clothes in the machine when possible: air
drying is much gentler, and cheaper.
About the
author: Alexandre Duval is a blogger for Service
2000, a Montreal-based company which repairs your appliances at home.
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