Paul & Sarah Chambers moved from Scotland to Australia due to Paul’s work, however, they found themselves paying the bills each month but not having any real money left over for fun.
They decided to buy 3 shipping containers, make a rather awesome home and become pretty much completely self-sufficient, here is their story:
Anyone could do all of those things, but it would be a lot of work and it might not be the most practical solution for everyone. There are other ways to reduce your reliance on utilities and save money on your bills. Here are a few ideas:
1. Use less energy.
This one is pretty obvious, but it’s worth mentioning. If you use less energy, you’ll save money on your utility bills. There are a lot of ways to do this, but some simple things include:
- Use energy-efficient light bulbs
- Unplug electronics when you’re not using them
- Wash your clothes incold water
- Hang dry your clothes instead of using the dryer
- Insulate your home
- Get a programmable thermostat
2. Use renewable energy.
Renewable energy is energy that comes from sources that are not depleted when used. This includes things like solar, wind, and hydro power. If you use renewable energy, you’ll not only save money on your utility bills, but you’ll also be helping the environment.
3. Live in a smaller space.
If you live in a smaller space, you’ll use less energy to heat and cool it. You might also save money on rent or amortgage.
4. Go partially off-grid.
If you go completely off-grid, you’ll be free from utility bills altogether. Of course, this is a big commitment and it’s not right for everyone. If you’re interested in going partially off-grid, there are a few things you need to consider, like:
- Where you live
- How much land you have
- What kind of power you want to use
- Whether or not you want to be connected to the grid (for backup or emergencies)
5. Do everything yourself.
You can also save money by doing everything yourself. This includes things like:
- Growing your own food
- Harvesting your own water
- Generating your own power
- Recycling and reusing materials
Of course, this option is not right for everyone either. It takes a lot of time, effort, and knowledge to be self-sufficient. But if you’re up for the challenge, it can be very rewarding.
These are just a few ideas to get you started. There are many other ways to reduce your reliance on utilities and save money on your bills. Do some research and find what works best for you. With a little effort, you can free yourself from high utility bills and live a more sustainable lifestyle.
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