How to cut spending, reduce energy use

The cost of living is on the rise and your hip pocket may be feeling emptier than usual, so we asked our readers to share their tips on coping with rising expenses.

Here are some of the ways they're curbing spending, as well as money saving advice from experts.

How can I spend less money on food?

With the inflation and wild weather affecting food prices, it may be time to change up the menu.

What are some good tips for saving money while shopping for groceries?

And don't forget to bring your own bag while you're at it - every cent counts.

Tony from Victoria suggests putting your green fingers to the test if you have access to a backyard or a garden.

If you don't have the luxury of space, horticulturist Phil Murray says a polystyrene box or potting mix bag will do the trick.

For starters, he recommends these easy-to- grow plants:

The current energy crisis and calls to conserve power under the threat of blackouts has led to a review of their energy consumption.

There are some simple things that you can do around your home to reduce power usage:

Be mindful of appliances that suck electricity even when they are not in use.

Here are some creative ways to reduce power usage.

It's good to know your options if your bill for energy doesn't fit your wallet.

The commute out of the equation means saving time, transportation costs, such as fares and fuel, and even a morning cup of coffee.

Since tax deductions for working from home are set to end this June and electricity prices have gone up, it's hard to say what is cheaper.

There are ways to trim travel expenses whether you're working remotely or back in the office.

Others have changed their housing situation.

Money experts say it can be as easy as assessing your spending first before moving on to decisions such as culling memberships and renegotiating bills.

You can also review big commitments such as mortgage repayments and consider doing the following:

Pay off your principal and interest at the same time.