Energy habits are lighting the fuse for family arguments

Are your energy habits causing more than just high bills? A new study shows that families argue more than once a week about leaving the lights on.

Do you ever get told off for leaving lights on in rooms no one’s using?

Well, you’re not alone!

Families all over are having a bit of a moan about this more than once a week.

It’s all because gas and electricity are constantly high, and we must be careful with how much we use.

There are some tips below to help avoid money arguments.

Arguing about energy bills

In homes across the UK, the battle over energy consumption is turning up the heat on family arguments.

Uswitch.com, known for its comparison and switching services, has shed light on a pressing issue: leaving lights on in empty rooms is causing more than just a spike in electricity bills – it’s leading to family feuds.

The findings are as ‘illuminating’ as they are alarming.

On average, families are in a tiff over forgotten lights more than once a week.

This leads to parents dashing around behind kids, turning off a whopping 338 lights a year in deserted rooms.

Sound familiar?

And it’s not just the lights sparking these household disputes; leaving the TV on with no one watching and tumble dryer debates are hot topics, too.

• Around 50% of households argue about leaving lights on – “This is not Blackpool Illuminations!“
• 44% of households have general arguments about the cost of heating – “If you’re cold, put a jumper on!”
• 40% have rows about leaving the doors open to outside – “Were you born in a barn?“

While leaving lights on is the top cause for arguments, it’s not the biggest burden on the budget.

An LED bulb burning extra hours only nudges the annual bill up by £1.75. So, if you’ve not made the switch to LED bulbs yet, you can see it’s definitely worth it, as standard bulbs will have a much bigger impact on your energy bills.

However, misusing larger appliances like washing machines and dishwashers can be much more costly.

How to avoid money arguments

Nearly a fifth of households with kids say their children are getting better at saving energy than last year. However, any arguments (especially about money) aren’t great.

Talking about money can be a bit tricky sometimes, but there are ways to make it easier and avoid those pesky arguments.

Here are five tips to help keep the peace when it comes to finances:

Create a budget together

Sit down as a family and make a budget.

This means you all agree on where the money’s going each month. It’s like planning a journey – you need to know where you’re headed.

This can help stop arguments because everyone understands the plan for the money.

Set savings goals

It’s always more fun when you’re working towards something together, like a family holiday or a new game.

Setting goals for saving can turn it into a bit of a game, and it means everyone understands why you’re being careful with money.

Try out some fun ways to save with these money challenges.

Have a ‘fun money’ allowance

It’s important to have a bit of money that you can spend on whatever you like, without having to explain it.

This can be a small amount that’s just for treats – add it to your sinking fund.

It helps because then not every penny spent needs to be discussed.

Be honest and open

This is a big one.

Always be honest about what you’re spending and how you feel about money. If something’s worrying you, it’s better to talk about it than keep it bottled up.

When everyone’s open about their feelings, it’s easier to understand each other and work things out – as a family unit and a team.

We’ve always found this works best for us. It was only when we were honest and started working together on our money issues that we got a plan to clear our debt and sort out our personal finances.

Set a regular money chat time

It’s a good idea to have a regular time to talk about money matters.

This way, everyone knows when it’s time to discuss finances, and it’s not just brought up out of the blue. You could make it a relaxed chat over a cup of tea every month.

This helps ensure everyone’s on the same page; they understand the importance of doing something as simple as turning off the lights, and there are no surprises.