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10 Ways to Start Saving Money Today
Most of us feel as if we have less cash in our pockets these days. Want to put some change back in your pocket? Follow these top 10 fast money saving ideas now.
Review your Gas and Electricity: it has been well documented that gas and electricity bills have increased and with winter fast approaching now is the time to check the tariff that you are on and shop around for a deal. Take accurate readings of your actual usage don’t rely on estimates and speak to your supplier first to see if they can put you on a better deal. Use Moneyextra’s Bill Shrinker to find out how much you could save.
Insulate your Home: With gas and electricity bills increasing, investing in making your home more energy efficient and better insulated could pay-off in the long run. In 2009 it was reported that British households wasted over £500m in energy bills through poor insulation. Most homes can save around £160 every year by getting their loft and cavity walls properly insulated.
Take a Sandwich to Work: Even if you only spend £5 a day you could be spending as much as £100 a month on lunch when you are at work. That equates to a whopping £1,200 a year. In six years, that could buy you a new car!
Cycle to Work: Or get off the bus or train one stop early and walk. Not only will you save cash by paying less for your travel, you’ll also be able to lose weight, too by getting loads of exercise free of charge.
Sell Stuff on eBay. Autumn is a great time of year to have a clear out, especially when it comes to clothes. Think about offloading some of your old summer wardrobe by setting up an eBay account and selling online.
Stop Smoking. Besides feeling and looking better, if you usually smoke 20 a day you’ll also save a whopping £2,000 a year.
Make a Shopping List: This may be an old piece of advice, but it works. Before hitting the shops compile a list of essentials that you need and then stick to your shopping list, making sure to avoid any enticing offers or 2-4-1 deals. To save even more money opt for supermarket own-brands over branded products, too.
Book in Advance to Save: It’s not just holidays that are cheaper if you book them in advance. You can get great cut-price deals on theatre tickets and theme parks if you hunt around on websites on travel booking websites.
Slow Down when Buying: Don’t buy clothes in the hope they’ll fit you soon. The chances are, they won’t and you’ll end up with a pile of expensive clothes that are completely useless. Likewise when not shopping for clothes – ask yourself ‘do I really need this?’ before making a purchase. Many people spend money on impulse; if you are keen to save cash, take a minute to think about whether or not you really need something you buy.
Switch to a 0% Balance Transfer Credit Card: There are some excellent deals available at the moment for 0% balance transfer deals – some of them offer interest free rates for as long as 22 months. Shop around for one of these cards and you could save thousands in unnecessary credit card interest payments.
Moneyextra.com recommends you take independent financial advice before acting on any article
Back2011-09-13 09:38:07 © Moneyextra.com