SAVING TIPS

Saving is a mindset... once you start and get used to it you won't stop.

This space is dedicated to saving tips! Daily things that help you save. Some seem very small but bit by bit you'll get there. Rethink your daily habits. How much do you spend on energy? Water? Supermarket?

ELECTRICITY

Focus on defining goals and lower your consumption. We did several things that allowed a reduction of over 30% of our electricity costs. Start by reviewing your electric bill components. Depending on your country's regulations you may have the option to change contractualized power, price schedule, etc. We did the following:

Downgraded our electric panel from three-phase to one, and consequently also downgraded our maximum power.
Installed 4 solar panels for our electric grid. We already had 2 panels for solar water heating. It's a great investment to make. All providers allow you to pay monthly throughout 3 or 4 years. Check it out.
On average (full year), 25% of our consumed electricity is self-produced. Get your average bill amount and make a simulation.
We also invested in wifi plugs (see below some examples) and electric panel switches. This way we were able to control the "stand-by time" of several pieces of equipment, or even control the number of hours a certain appliance is working.
For instance, our solar heating equipment has different working hours according to the sun. In the summer is completely disconnected (only uses the sun) and in the winter works in a determined schedule, according to our shower hours.
Another example is laptops. They are connected to wifi plugs and switch on and off automatically every 4 hours, reducing the electric bill and improving battery life.

Every month we, as a family, control the gap between actual values and the amount normally paid, find a reason why and set a corrective course, either by changing some behavior or whatever.

Check out below what we're using. We normally buy it on Amazon because of the availability, price, and service, but there are plenty of other places to buy it (as an Amazon affiliate, we monetize all affiliated shopping that complies with all applicable rules).

WIFI PLUGS

Sets of 4, great value and quality

WIFI POWER STRIPS

Powe strip allow you to control individually every plug or USB

WIFI LIGHT BULBS

Xiaomi models are still the cheapest ones and a great option if you're starting optimizing

OUTDOOR WIFI PLUG

Optimize the outdoor lamps on and off function using sunset exact time.

SONOFF SMART SWITCH

Update your electric panel with wifi switches

ALEXA ECHO DOT 3

Wrap it all together with a nice voice control device such as the echo dot. We have 4 in our home