There are a few things you can add to an existing house:

• Awnings and other sources of shade over windows
• White painted exterior (some white pigments are better than others at reflecting infrared)

The south-facing comments would need to be the other way around in the southern hemisphere too.

Yes, I also receive goodies shared by friends/family too. Could be stuff we’ve bought in bulk, or stuff we’ve made (soap, jam, crocheted blankets…) or grown in the garden.

For certain food styles, I buy bulk spices sometimes because I don’t like to pay for an entire jar I won’t use, knowing that most of it will go stale by the time I’m through the jar. Being able to buy tiny quantities is sometimes way cheaper.

Have you considered sharing with friends/family who would use the same spices or other supplies? I sometimes do this with spices, legumes, baking soda, etc.