Top Ten Money Saving Ideas
In the current economic climate we are all looking for ways to spend less cash, so here are our top ten money saving tips to help you spend less.
1. Shop around for gas and electricity. Recent cuts in energy prices mean that it is an excellent time to find a better deal. For example, British Gas have some great dual fuel tariffs if you use them to supply your electricity and gas.
2. Work out your budget and don’t get caught out with bank fees. It can be easy to accidentally go over your overdraft limit or forget about the expiry date on an interest free credit card offer, but this small mistakes can cost you a fortune in fees.
3. Complain. If you have paid for a product or service you are not happy with, don’t be scared to complain. You could get a refund, money off or vouchers to spend another time.
4. Don’t spend more for big brand names. Supermarket own brands of washing up liquid and staples like sugar are a lot cheaper and you might not even be able to tell the difference.
5. Shop around for your financial products like mortgages, credit cards, savings accounts and loans. Even in the credit crunch there are big differences in interest rates on offer, and even a difference of one per cent on your mortgage could add up to thousands of pounds over the lifetime of the loan.
6. Set your own priorities. Who cares about keeping up with the Jones’s, decide for yourself what you would rather have, expensive brand name clothes or more money to spend on days out. Don’t succumb to your competiteve urges and enjoy spending money on what’s important to you.
7. Give up smoking. It’s anti-social, it’s unhealthy and it costs a fortune.
8. Wait for the sales. Buy your clothes and household goods in the sales and save a small fortune. Wait till the January sales and buy Christmas cards, decorations and even presents at bargain prices for the following year.
9. Take up cookery. Takeaways, ready meals and convenience foods cost a fortune and can be unhealthy. Cooking is really relaxing, and you will eat better food for less. Make double the amount you need and freeze half, then if you’re not in the mood for cooking one day just pop one of your frozen home cooked meals in the microwave.
10. Don’t spend money on a gym membership you hardly ever use. If you go three or more times a week then great, if not you’re probably wasting your money. Many local authority gyms let you pay for the odd session rather than signing up for a monthly bill. Walk, cycle or run for free.
British Gas have the cheapest energy prices on average in the UK. To find out more and take advantage of these great electric rates visit their website www.britishgas.co.uk