Saving money and staying within budget is an ever present responsibility for most people. And it’s certainly often a main priority for military families — as much as 90% of female military spouses are unfortunately either unemployed or underemployed, ABC News reports. However, doing your best to keep your home expenses down doesn’t have to be a struggle. Focus on making small, gradual changes and they’ll add up in the long run. The following eco-friendly home hacks are simple to carry out, but can end up cutting your monthly or annual bills significantly — making life as a military wife just that bit easier. Try them for yourself and see!

How To Save Money With These Green Tips For Your Home

Natural cleaning products

No matter how much you may enjoy keeping house, daily cleaning can sometimes be overwhelming —  especially when your husband’s away and responsibility falls all on you. You also have to make sure your house is always stocked with the right cleaning products, another chore which can be expensive; in fact, cleaning products are often cited as one of the biggest home expenses. But you can streamline both your housework routine, shopping list, and expenses by switching to cheaper, everyday ingredients you already have on hand, such as, lemon juice, white vinegar, and baking soda. Using your own safe cleaning products can also make the task of using them just that more enjoyable.

Energy-efficient lighting

Saving on your electricity bills frees up money you can put into a savings account or use to payoff debt — which is often higher for military families than civilians. In fact, you can save 75% on your annual lighting bill by switching to energy-efficient lightbulbs, such as, halogen incandescents, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), and light emitting diodes (LEDs). It’s also a simple enough switch you can take care of alone. Modern bulbs typically use 25% to 80% less energy and last upto twenty-five times longer than conventional incandescent light bulbs. In total, you can save $112 yearly on average.

Use electronics wisely 

If you’re like most military wives, you’ll always have your cell phone on you, so as not to miss a potential call from your partner. This also means your phone charger is continuously plugged into the wall. But this can actually waste a lot of energy, which can end up costing the average household up to $100, the Environmental Protection Agency estimates. The solution? Use a power strip to charge your phone and other electronic devices. Dedicate an hour a day for charging them and switch the power strip off for good afterwards. You can also use power strips for your TV and computer, so they’re not drawing energy when not in use.

Lastly, the easiest way to cut down on expenses is by preparing all your meals at home rather than eating out or ordering in. Cook meals in large batches and freeze them, so you always have something ready to eat. Home-cooked meals are also healthier. And that money you save? Put it into a savings fund dedicated to your husband’s homecoming celebration. Not only are all these tips wonderful for the earth, you’ll reap the benefits financially, too!