Too much light
It’s easy to get into the habit of lighting up an entire room when you only need a bit of light in the corner. A single lamp often does the trick for reading or watching TV, especially in the evenings. If you’ve got multiple ceiling lights going at once, try switching off the extras and see if you miss them.
‘Phantom’ power use
Even when your devices are turned off, many still draw electricity. Chargers, TVs, coffee machines, and gaming consoles often stay in standby mode, quietly racking up your energy bill.
Try using power boards with switches and turn them off when not in use. Or go a step further and invest in smart plugs that let you control devices remotely. It’s a small change with a surprisingly big impact.
Forgotten subscriptions
Streaming services, apps, magazines, cloud storage - subscriptions are designed to be ‘set and forget.’ And that’s exactly what many of us do - until we realise we’re paying for streaming services we haven’t used in months.
Try doing a monthly audit. Check your bank statements or use a budgeting app to track recurring charges. Cancel anything you’re not using because you can always resubscribe later if you miss it.
Over-insuring or under-reviewing insurance
Home insurance, appliance cover, pet insurance - these are important, but they can also be overpriced or outdated. If you haven’t reviewed your policies in a while, you might be paying more than necessary or covering things you no longer own.
Try shopping around once a year – or speak to your current insurance when the premium is due for renewal and ask for a better rate. And always check the fine print - sometimes bundling policies can save you money.
Water waste that’s easy to miss
A dripping tap or a trickling toilet may not seem urgent, but over time, they can waste hundreds of litres of water - and that’s money down the drain.
Forgotten food
How often do you throw out wilted spinach or mystery leftovers? Food waste is a ghost cost that hits both your bank balance and the planet. And if your fridge is too full or too warm, it’s working harder than it needs to – adding to your power bill
Heating and cooling
Heating an empty room or cooling the house with the windows open are classic ghost costs. You can also seal any spots that let in drafts, insulate where needed, and close doors to unused rooms.
Garden gadgets and outdoor extras
Automatic sprinklers, outdoor lighting, and electric garden tools can all quietly add to your bills—especially if they’re running more than necessary. Try using timers, switch to solar-powered lights, and only water when needed (your garden will still thrive). Follow the water rules depending on the seasons.
The ‘just in case’ purchases
We all have them - those items bought for an ‘if’ scenario that never quite arrives. Whether it’s bulk purchases, that bargain you just couldn’t resist or those ‘ooh that might be handy’ novelty kitchen gadgets, they often sit unused.
Before buying, ask yourself: Will I use this in the next month? If not, maybe wait. And if you already have a stash, do a mini-inventory and use what you’ve got before buying more.
