People can save money by getting a clothes horse and shopping second-hand this winter, a thrifty journalist and podcast host has said.
As children head back in school and the weather gets colder, Irish Sun Reporter Nicola Bardon gave The Pat Kenny Show her top tips for giving your wallet a break.
She said she is "always broke" and looking for ways to save at this time of year.
"I don't have kids but I have been asking my friends with kids and the number one thing they said to me was second-hand everything - uniforms, books, everything," she said.
"If it's not the book they have to write on, you don't use them after a year - so swap with friends who have a kid of a younger age.
"Even uniforms - find another parent [whose child is] maybe in the years ahead of yours.
"Local Facebook groups are amazing for finding stuff and swapping stuff with other parents.
"There's a website called schooldays.ie and they have second-hand books as well so you can go and buy the stuff for cheaper there as well".
'Swap and save'
Ms Bardon said one group in particular is good for finding what she needs.
"There's a group I'm part of called Zero Waste Freecycle and it is based all around Ireland," she said.
"You can put up what you're in search of or put up stuff that you have and you can give it away for free or you swap.
"I've gotten rid of couches, I've gained couches, you can get bikes or anything you want on there."
Around the home
Ms Bardon said people should be smart about using home appliances.
"To use your washing machine is around 55c and to use your dryer it's €1.95 per spin," she said.
"How many times do you do that a week? You add them up every week, using it three times a week that's €6.
"Get a lovely clothes hose - I know it will take longer to dry but these things add up".
She said small changes could also include washing clothes at 30C and putting washes on at nighttime.
"Something like 80% of the bill is actually going on heating [water in] the washing machine," she said.
"So every time you turn it down a notch that saves loads of money.
"Even your thermostat on your heating - turning it down by one degree can save up to 10% on your bill".
A woman taking a shower in April 2015. Image: eldar nurkovic / AlamyMs Bardon said people should try to have quick showers - or even have them elsewhere.
"I try to do it in less than five minutes," she said
"A very easy way to save is to have a shower at the gym or at work - do that a couple of times a week."
The interior of a supermarket in April 2015. Image: Gordon Scammell / AlamyWhen it comes to food bills, she said people should distinguish between 'best before' and 'use by'
"The thing I've noticed is at the end of the week I'm throwing out things," she said.
"Best before does not mean it has to be used by - the [product] can be used, depending on what it is, up to five days afterwards.
"Don't be throwing something out just because it says 'best before' today's date - you end up wasting money".
A chef cooks in a restaurant kitchen. Picture by: FreeProd / AlamyWhen it comes to cooking, Ms Bardon has a simple hack.
"Use the slow cooker, use the air fryer - they're much more cost-friendly than an oven," she said.
"An oven every time you use it is about €1 for an hour's use."
She added that people should try these changes for a month "and see if there are any big changes" to bills.
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