Doing more with less; anyone who works for the public sector or even a struggling commercial company will probably hear this phrase often. We need to save money so will employ fewer people to do the same amount of work. To do this we will be super efficient and manage our resources better. Sometimes tough decisions will need to be made and we may not be able to offer all of the services that we used to
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I was thinking that I already apply some of this philosophy to my own household. No , I’m not about to make any redundancies! However, we do need to do more with less.
How to do more with less
Using one tea bag to make two mugs of tea
Driving more slowly to use less petrol
Keeping heating costs down by lowering the thermostat and wearing another layer
Drying the laundry on an airer instead of the tumble dryer
Reusing wrapping paper and envelopes
Washing and reusing tin foil
Cutting dishwasher tablets in half
Eating smaller portions (many of us eat too much!)
Not wasting food – use up your leftovers or freeze them for later
Opening a beer at home rather than going to the pub
Correctly measuring the laundry liquid/powder
Measuring rice and pasta portions so you don’t cook too much
Using up all the make up and toiletries you have already bought before buying more
Giving up shopping for fun
Cutting down on smoking or changing to roll ups
Eating less meat and more pulses
Taking showers instead of baths
Drink water instead of juice
Order books from the library or buy secondhand
Set a maximum budget for gifts
Reconsider the people you buy gifts for: do you need to buy something for all adults for Christmas and birthdays or could you focus just on children?
Growing your hair or having it cut by a junior
Buying used furniture and clothes
Packing your own lunch and flask for work or days out
Buying non perishables from Approved Food
Walking/cycling more and driving less
Shopping in Aldi/Lidl or making more use of basics ranges
There are so many ways to be more efficient and streamlined – these are things I already do off the top of my head but I am sure there are lots more. What are your top tips for doing more with less?
Lavender Attic says
Like you, I do the all that (apart from the teabag and dishwasher tablet thing) as an NHS worker I am fed up of being expected to do more with less both at work and at home as my pay hasn’t risen in 4 years!
lizard100 says
Cutting dishwasher tablets in half. That’s a good one. Does it make a difference? I do most of the others too. Thanks
ChickenladyJane says
It really doesn’t seem to make any difference to the quality of the wash with decent tablets, although it might it work with cheaper versions I guess.
lizard100 says
Thanks. We use eco tablets and are concerned sbout the environment as well as cost but less detergent has to be better.