Cutting expenses is always appealing, but a small upfront investment can reap ongoing savings. These products and services pay for themselves — and then some — in relatively short order.
Related: 48 Well-Made Products You'll Never Have to Buy Again
LED bulbs are energy- and cost-efficient replacements for now-obsolete incandescent bulbs. An incandescent bulb lasts 1,200 hours, requires 21 changes in 23 years, uses $180 worth of electricity, and costs a total of $201 over a 23-year lifespan. An LED bulb, on the other hand, costs $2 or less, lasts 25,000 hours, uses $30 of electricity over that same 23-year span, and doesn't need changing. Yes, $2 is more expensive than $1, but $201 is a lot more costly than $32.
Given the high monthly fees for cable and satellite TV, many viewers are turning to streaming media devices such as the Amazon Fire TV Stick. The cheapest ones cost $30 or less, and subscriptions to streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu start at $10 and $7 a month, respectively, which certainly beats the price of cable.
Related: Best Streaming Devices: Apple TV vs. Roku vs. Amazon Fire
There are so many benefits to owning a slow cooker, if you can just commit to actually using it, rather than letting it sit idle on the counter. For $130 from Target (and there are cheaper ones out there), a slow cooker makes it incredibly easy to prepare a meal for a family — often for little money — and have it ready at day's end. It's one-step cooking, just throw all the ingredients into the pot and turn it on. Bonus: With just one pot, there's a lot less cleanup. And finally, slow cookers use less energy than an oven — so it's a win-win-win.
Related: 52 Recipes to Keep Your Slow Cooker Bubbling While You're Busy
Install a programmable thermostat and save up to 10% per year on your utility bill. The Department of Energy recommends setting the thermostat to dial down the temperature 7 to 10 degrees for at least eight hours a day while you're out or sleeping. With a cheap programmable thermostat that costs about $40, you can reap the payback within months.
Even when you're home, there's no reason to heat the entire house. Each degree you lower the thermostat can shave 1% off your heating bill if the temperature remains at that level for more than eight hours, according to the Energy Department. Stave off the chill in the room where everyone congregates by using a space heater that costs less than $50.
Stop buying batteries and instead switch to rechargeable. Even if you're just paying $4.50 for a four-pack of AA batteries six times a year, that's $27 you're down until you do it again next year — as opposed to spending $19 for a charger on Amazon and $12 for some rechargeable AAs, which means that for $3 more you're set for years to come. It's also good for the environment.
Save money and the environment by forgoing bottled water. Data compiled by Greatist showed that a gallon of bottled water can cost up to $7.50; compare that with less than a penny for a gallon of tap water. Buy a cheap water filter and reusable water bottle, fill up multiple times a day, and earn back your investment lickety-split.
Grabbing a cup o' Joe at the coffee shop on your way to work may be convenient, but a few cups each week adds up to a pile of beans. Assuming an average price of about $2 for a cup of brewed coffee, three cups a week drains more than $300 from your bank account over 12 months. Multiply that by two or more if a latte or cappuccino is more your style. Home-brew coffee machines cost $50 or less for a basic model, and even if you spring for a more sophisticated version in the $300 range, you'll recoup your investment in a year or so.
If you love your hot showers, a low-flow showerhead may not sound appealing. But check your showerheads: They may allow anywhere from 3 to 5 gpm, or gallons per minute, while new showerheads get close with a range from 1.5 to 2.5 gpm. Manufacturers are also adept at making the shower spray seem as luxurious as ever — for instance, Delta uses a wave pattern in some showerheads to provide a full-coverage feel. An average family of four can save more than $100 a year by replacing showerheads, officials estimate.
Riding a bicycle instead of driving a car, even occasionally, can save hundreds of dollars per year. Let's say you drive 10 miles to and from work each day and use a gallon of gas. With gas prices averaging almost (or over) $6 a gallon these days, you're going to spend several hundred dollars driving in a year, especially factoring in errands around town and other excursions besides commuting. A good bike can be had for about $200 (cheaper yet if you pick up a used model).
Workout equipment for a home gym can be a large investment, but it undercuts the cumulative cost of a monthly gym membership by a wide margin. Individual membership fees can reach $100 a month while a home-gym system that includes weights, a bench, a mat, and cardio equipment totals about $1,000, paying for itself within a few years.
Buy a wireless router or modem rather than renting one from an internet service provider. The purchase often pays for itself in less than a year.
Related: The Best Wi-Fi Extenders and Mesh Router Systems for Better Internet at Home
A service or warranty plan for a product such as a smartphone, computer, or refrigerator may seem like a scam until you actually need it. Consumer product experts are ambivalent about the value of extended warranties, but there are times when a single incident can make the extra expense seem like a wise decision. And some folks may need them more than others. One consumer told Cheapism he bought a $5 monthly contract that entitled him to 12 months of free service calls for his home security system (that would otherwise cost $60). He wound up needing the assistance of a technician and offset a year of fees in just one visit.
Trim utility bills and make your house look more modern with motion-sensing light switches with a one-time purchase of $30 from Home Depot. The switches rely on a sensor to detect movement, turning on automatically when you enter a room — and more importantly, turning off when you're not there.
No trees to block sunlight and stop air conditioners from working overtime? Low-E, or low-emissivity, windows are a more instant solution. They are made to let in less heat in the summer and keep more in when it's cold out. Energy-efficient windows aren’t cheap, but they can save as much as $100 to $300 in annual savings, the Department of Energy estimates. Low-E film gets similar savings for much less money, though; it can be applied to existing windows and costs for just around $6 to $14 a square foot.
Find more smart shopping stories and budget-friendly tips right here.
