How You Can Easily Save Some Money

The cost of household bills has risen significantly across the United Kingdom in recent years, but thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, income for many people has dropped. When you are in this situation, it can be worrisome – how will you pay your bills and keep your families heads above the water?

Here, we look at a few simple things that you can do at home to save some money.

Reduce your phone and broadband bills

There are numerous providers to choose from, and lowering your monthly phone and broadband rates is simple.

Begin by following these basic guidelines:

• Make a direct call to your supplier and request a lower price.
• To discover a better deal, use a price comparison website.
• Match your contract to your habits – for example, if you use a lot of data and get charged extra if you go over, a deal with a higher amount of data may be a better option.

Get a cheaper phone contract

Is your mobile phone contract about to expire? Are you attempting to figure out how to acquire the newest phone for the least amount of money?

Here are a few pointers to help you save money on your bills:

• Analyse your bills with online tools and recommend a contract.
• Negotiate with mobile phone networks and providers – remember, you are the boss!
• To find the cheapest offer, use a price comparison website.

Reduce your water bill

The average monthly water cost is more than £30 and, while you have no choice over who you have as a water supplier, there are a number of ways to save money on your water rates.

You could, for example:

• Install a free water meter on your property.
• Showers should be used instead of baths.
• Replace your showerhead with one that is more energy-efficient
• Take shorter showers
• Turn the tap off when brushing teeth

Look at your gas and electricity

There are many energy suppliers competing for clients, so now is a good time to shop around for a better offer and the best electricity deals and check out some of these energy-saving recommendations.

• To save money, switch to monthly Direct Debit payments.
• Reduce your thermostat by 1 degree Celsius to save 10% on your heating expenditure.
• Turn off things when not in use
• Put on a jumper or use blankets instead of reaching to turn the central heating on

Check that you are paying the right amount of council tax

It is worth double-checking your Council Tax band because up to 400,000 properties are in the wrong one.

It should not take you more than ten minutes to find out, and you might save hundreds of pounds and receive a reimbursement if you do. However, be warned that it can work the other way as well – you might find that you have to pay a higher amount.

Look at how you can cut your transport costs

Whether you drive or take public transportation, travel costs are likely to account for a major portion of your monthly budget.

Do not worry though, there are many ways to save money on travel costs including:

• Finding a more affordable car insurance policy
• Purchasing less expensive petrol or diesel
• Purchasing rail tickets ahead of time
• Making sure you carry out annual services on your car

Make sure that you pay all of your bills on time

Make sure you pay your bills on time to avoid incurring late payment fines, which can wipe out your hard-earned money and ruin your credit score. To help you remain on top of your bills, consider the following suggestions:

• Direct Debit is a convenient way to pay your routine expenses on a monthly basis.
• Keep track of your finances and make plans ahead of time.
• If you’re having financial difficulties, talk to the folks you owe money to.

Make sure that you are getting everything that you are entitled to

There have been some huge changes to the benefits system over the past few years with the introduction of universal credit, and many people are not sure what they are entitled to. Citizens Advice can give you help in claiming, and make sure you look at things like childcare vouchers and marriage tax allowance. These things can make a huge difference if you are struggling with money.

The past year has been a tough one for everyone, but there are some ways that you can make savings, now and in the future, without too much hassle.