This health crisis doesn't seem to have an end date yet, so aside from adjusting to our “new normal” (a.k.a. self-isolation and staying at home), we also have to prepare for an uncertain future.
This is why we can never go wrong with building up extra cash or filling up our emergency fund. Because you’re staying at home all day, you’re likely relying more heavily on utilities. You’re cooking more frequently, family members are glued to their screens more often, and you may have also opted to work from home. This time is also a good opportunity to start learning and practicing more eco-friendly household habits to save water, energy, and even your monthly food expenses.
Having a little cash cushion is rewarding especially when things start to return to normal and you see how much has been saved in just a short time.
Here are small but sustainable household habits and practices you could take that could go a long way, even when this crisis is over:
To Keep Your Energy Costs Lower:
1. Use Power Strips.
Appliances like computers and computer-related equipment, coffee makers, video game consoles, DVD players, and kitchen appliances like microwave ovens, and even phone chargers, are called vampire appliances or energy vampires. Items like these continue to suck power even when they're off but still plugged in. According to the Department of Energy, these vampire appliances and electronics account for 10 percent of energy used in an average home.
Stop this slow money burn by making it a habit to frequently unplug these items when you’re not using them. Better yet, connect them to easy-to-switch-off power strips so you can turn them off when not in use. Reducing your phantom load means less wasted electricity which could translate to more energy savings.