16 purchases that will save you money in the long run
Daragh Cassidy
Daragh Cassidy
Head Writer

Here’s a collection of some of our favourite purchases that will actually save you money in the long run (and make life easier in many cases too!)

Sometimes you’ve got to spend money to save money. Yes, the concept might seem strange but it absolutely makes sense when you think about it.

So next time you go to buy something, instead of worrying about how expensive it is, consider the product’s longer-term value to you.

Here's a list of things we think provide great value that you should invest in...

1. Coffee machine and reusable cup

If you’re the type of person who can’t wake up properly in the morning without a decent hit of caffeine, then this one is a bit of a no-brainer.

All of those early morning Starbucks coffees that make you late for work add up. Buying just four or five coffees a week will cost you close to €1,000 a year or more!

By investing in a decent coffee machine and making yourself a coffee to-go each morning and taking it in a reusable cup, you’ll not only be saving money in the long run, you’ll also be helping the environment by reducing the waste you produce.

2. Eco shower head

Are lots of family members needing showers every morning driving up your water heating bills? Conserve water and lower your energy bills with a high-efficiency shower head.

These types of nozzles mix air into the shower water, while still maintaining satisfactory levels of water pressure so that you get a good, even spray.  

Some manufacturers claim 70% savings on your water usage (all depending on current pressure and usage).

3. A monthly public transport ticket

The new €2 90-min fare has been a game changer for public transport in Ireland. 

But if you're a regular transport user it might make sense to buy an unlimited monthly or annual ticket instead. 

A new ticket that costs €96 a month has been launched for the wider Dublin region, and through TaxSaver it will cost you even less. 

And with several bus routes now running 24 hours a day, the ticket will also help you save on taxi fares at night.

4. LED light bulbs

LED bulbs last much longer than traditional incandescent bulbs and use around 80% to 90% less electricity.

They are a bit more expensive to buy, but each bulb will save you around €6 a year in electricity costs. So it's more than worth the extra initial price. 

5. Slow cooker

Often find you’ve no time or you’re just too tired or lazy to cook a decent meal after work so you buy a ready meal or order takeaway? The slow cooker is your new best friend.

Calling it cooking almost seems like a cheat because all that’s required to make a great, nutritious and cheap meal with a slow cooker is to cut up some veg and throw it in the pot with some meat, spices and stock, cover, turn on and leave to cook for 4-8 hours.

Turn it on last thing before bed or in the morning before you head off to work and you’ll come back to a delicious meal.

Slow cookers save money in multiple ways. First of all, they’re very energy efficient and consequently cheap to run. Secondly, depending on the size of the cooker you buy, they are perfect for batch cooking. Make a big stew at the beginning of the week and then portion it out into individual servings that you can freeze.

Most importantly, slow cookers save you time and effort and as mentioned above - if you’re tired and not feeling up to setting aside time to cook, you’re all the more likely to waste money on expensive takeaways or nasty cheap ready meals.

You can buy a small slow cooker for as little as €30 or €40 (or the price of a takeaway for two).

6. Air fryer 

Air fryers have surged in popularity over the past few years and many people swear by them.  

They’re hugely versatile and can save busy families lots of time and money on their cooking and cleaning.

In general an air fryer will cost a lot less to run than an electric oven (but it does depend on the size of the air fryer that you buy and how many people you’re cooking for). And, like a slow cooker, it will also help you avoid buying too many last-minute takeaways.

You can buy a decent, small air fryer for under €100 now. 

Read this article for more tips on how you can lower your energy consumption in the kitchen and save money.  

7. Hot water bottle or electric blanket 

Gas prices are still close to double normal levels. And electricity prices are around 70% to 80% above where they were only three years ago. So heating bills are a big concern for many people.

So if you're feeling chilly in bed and in need of warmth at night, rather than turn on the central heating, use a hot water bottle or electric blanket to keep you nice and toasty instead.  

8. Reusable batteries

Let’s be honest - batteries are a nuisance. You always forget to pick them up, they're single use and they're bad for the environment if not disposed of correctly. You probably have a few devices which run on them though, like your TV remote, your razor, or the kids' toys that they got for Christmas.

Well pick up some reusable batteries and a charging station and you won’t have to worry about your TV remote being out of commission until you run to the shops. And you'll save on replacements too. 

9. Electric toothbrush

Fillings and root canals are painful for both you and your wallet. 

But buying a decent electric toothbrush can help stave off unwanted trips to the dentist. 

While yearly check-ups and cleans are always recommended, investing in a good-quality electric toothbrush can lead to significantly improved oral health and fewer dental costs in the longer run. 

The iO series of brushes from Oral-B are particularly good.  

10. Good clothes

The fashion industry every year generates huge amounts of money. One of their best tricks is convincing people they have to keep up with seasonal trends, meaning if you want to stay at the pinnacle of what is considered chic, you need to pick up new expensive clothes every few months.

What is even more tempting is when you walk into one of those big department stores and see something nice for a bargain. However, it is always worth considering the quality.

A few high-quality staple items in your wardrobe can last months or years longer than cheaper alternatives. A good pair of shoes, jeans, or a good jacket can be worth investing in as they tend to last.

Also, it takes a staggering 10,000 litres of water to make 1kg of cotton, and over twice this in developing countries due to inefficiencies. So the more clothes you buy, the more water you waste. So think of the environment too. 

11. A good water bottle

On the subject of water...a really good dietary habit is to make sure that you're drinking plenty of it.

Having your own water bottle with you when you’re on-the-go means you're less likely to buy bottled water. It may even help stop you from drinking fizzy drinks, meaning it's great for your health and your waistline!

Plus the less plastic that you use, the less that ends up in the oceans, and you'll also avoid the 15 cent plastic bottle levy. So this one is a health, wealth and environmental tip.

12. A water filter 

In some parts of the country, water quality can be poor at the best of times, meaning you can't avoid buying bottled water sometimes.  

But consider investing in a decent water filtration system or purifier instead. 

13. High-efficiency washing machine

This is a great money-saving tip for new parents, who we know constantly have the washing machine going.

If you buy a large load, high-efficiency washing machine, not only does it mean you'll be doing fewer washes, it also means that you'll be using less water in the process. And as up to 90% of the electricity that a washing machine uses is for heating the water, you'll save on your energy bills too! 

Take a look at our guide on how to read the energy-efficiency labels found on appliances, so that you can purchase appliances that will use less energy, and save you money. 

14. Dryer balls

You can save money not just on washing your clothes, but on drying them as well.

Dryer balls look like tennis balls and help separate your clothes and dry them quicker. Throw them into your machine and they'll save you up to 25% on drying time.

As tumble dryers are such energy guzzlers, this could really save you in the longer run. 

See here for more tips on how to save on your laundry.

15. Mouldable glue

The Irish product Sugru has gained favour worldwide for its versatility, and rightly so. This little substance can increase the longevity of your products, saving you money on replacements.

The flexible, adhesive repair putty turns into a strong, durable, silicone rubber when it sets and you can use it to fix fraying cables, holes in shoes, handles for saucepans, you name it!

16. Air-tight dried goods containers

Whether it’s pasta, coffee, crackers, cereals or whatever dried goods you like to buy, exposure to air will rapidly speed up the degradation process.

Keeping these sorts of products in an air-tight container can help keep them fresher for longer and mean less food waste and trips to the supermarket. 

Check out our other money-saving articles

It can be hard to know where to start when it comes to cutting down the cost of your household bills. To help you on this journey we have compiled our top money-saving articles below.